A Little Bit of Soundtrack Lovin’: Save the Last Dance

It’s that time again, people.

That is, it’s time for my next post in the Soundtrack Lovin’ series! And this post is being dedicated to another favorite movie of mine - Save the Last Dance (2001). It’s about a white girl whose mother dies suddenly so she is forced to move to a very urban, largely African-American populated part of Chicago with her estranged father. Having to, of course, switch schools to a predominantly black school, she meets a black guy and the two bond over their love of dance while facing interracial relationship challenges; he also helps her rediscover her forgotten love for ballet. It’s a lovely movie, really. It features Julia Styles and Sean Patrick Thomas, who provides major  eye candy for the ladies.

The soundtrack is really slammin’ (that’s some slang from the movie) and and I really hope you guys take a chance to listen to it or at least watch the movie.

Ayolah

You Make Me Sick – P!nk

And most people don’t even know about P!nk’s R & B days.

Crazy – K-Ci & JoJo

Only You – 112 (feat The Notorious B.I.G. & Mase)

And my personal favorites…

You Can Do It – Ice Cube (feat. Mack 10 & Ms. Toi)

I really wish I could have found a video for this scene on YouTube because this is honestly one of the best parts of the movies. Sarah (Julia Styles) has been learning how to dance with a little bit of flavor from Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas) and she finally showcases a routine he taught her at the local club. The routine is widely loved, of course.

You – Raphael Saadiq  (feat. Q-Tip & Snoop Dogg)

Murder She Wrote – Chaka Demus & Pliers

This is one of the BEST dance songs. EVER. And I’m still listening to it years later and it was first released in the 1990s. I think that’s saying something. This scene from the movie is also really awesome.

U Know What’s Up – Donell Jones

A Little Bit of Soundtrack Lovin’: Dirty Dancing

One thing I have noticed about myself is that I really LOVE discovering new music through movies. There’s something about it that makes me really happy, especially if the movie becomes a favorite of mine. Actually, my first post for BU Central was about The Perks of Being a Wallflower (*cough* posted on October ninth) soundtrack. It’s really awesome, by the way. On account of that initial post, I decided that I would make a series of some of my favorite movie soundtracks, starting with Dirty Dancing, my favorite movie.

I’ve literally seen Dirty Dancing a gazillion times. I know the words. I know the dance moves. I know the scenes. My sisters get really annoyed with me when I watch it because I jump around, dancing and singing, and ultimately, creating a huge ruckus because I just really love the movie, especially its soundtrack. I definitely have to credit some of my love for 50s and 60s blues music to Dirty Dancing. The music is so…original and I wish current musicians made more music like it. Here are my favorite songs from the movie. I hope you like them as much as I do.

Enjoy,

Ayolah

P.S. Stay tuned for my next post in the Soundtrack Lovin’ series. I don’t know when it’s coming – could be weekly or every other post – but just know it’s in preparation. Also, know that not every full song is shown. Most parts are scenes from the movie. They’re arranged in no particular order, regarding the movie.

“Do You Love Me” – The Contours

Great music. Nothing more, nothing less.

“Love is Strange” – Mickey & Sylvia

Okay, you don’t really don’t even need the whole song for this. You just need to know this scene. It’s so timeless. Watch it. Love it. Learn it. Eat it.

“Love Man” – Otis Redding

In which Baby “dances dirty” for the first time and I have a really good laugh at her first attempt.

“Hungry Eyes” – Eric Carmen

I used to hear this song on the radio so much, but until I realized Dirty Dancing was my favorite movie, I never really paid much attention to it. I love it now.

“Cry to Me” – Solomon Burke

Viewer discretion advised: This scene is a bit racy for the most part, but the mushy part at the beginning kind of cancels it out in my opinion. With the thought of seeing a shirtless Patrick Swayze, I can forgo the sentimental crap.

Yummy.

“She’s Like the Wind” – Patrick Swayze

Yes, ladies, Patrick could sing. Rest in peace, man.

“(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” – Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley

It’s right after the whole “Nobody puts baby in a corner” situation. This dance scene is so lovely, so epic, so amazing. What girl didn’t want to dance dirty with Patrick Swayze? Good gosh. And you can’t forget the old biddies dancing 4:05 into the video. Priceless.

“Stay” – Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs

I’ve heard a ton of renditions of this song, but this is by far my favorite one of all. I wish the song was longer.

Other songs I really like from the soundtrack: “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes, “In the Still of the Night” by The Five Satins, “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by The Shirelles, and “Some Kind of Wonderful” by The Drifters.

Listening to this Soundtrack All Day and All of the Night

So I was reading Ayolah’s post about Perks of Being a Wallflower (and I totally agree, by the way. Like she said, it was fucking amazing!), and it inspired me to write a post about one of my favorite movies/movie soundtracks–Pirate Radio (aka The Boat That Rocked).

Quick history lesson:

In the 1960s, the United Kingdom’s radio, BBC Radio, did not play pop or rock music which resulted in many pirate radio stations. Pirate radio stations were ships anchored in international waters broadcasting music to the United Kingdom.

So, as you can probably guess, Pirate Radio is about a pirate radio station struggling against the British government, and so much of the music featured in the movie is rock and pop music from the 1960s. The soundtrack includes music by the Kinks, the Beach Boys, the Who, the Supremes, and more. If you enjoy the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, and lots of other artists from the 1960s, then you’ll really enjoy this soundtrack. Aside from the music, the movie is so fantastic and funny and entertaining and you should definitely see it if you haven’t already!

Below are a few of my favorites from the movie, along with the rest of the soundtrack.

Enjoy!

Emily

The Beach Boys // Wouldn’t It Be Nice

The Kinks // Sunny Afternoon

The Kinks // All Day and All of the Night

The Supremes // The Happening

The Turtles // Elenore