The Story
To illustrate what I mean, an apt dancer may be in thorough unison with the others in that particular group, and at the same time reveal a difference in dancing temperament, rhythm or technique; she may phrase, accentuate or actually interpret differently. (Florenz Ziegfeld, producer)
The body cannot lie. You cannot be somebody else onstage, no matter how good of an actor or dancer or singer you are. When you open your arms, move your finger, the audience knows who you are, you know. (Mikhail Baryshnikov, dancer)
The dancer’s body is simply the luminous manifestation of the soul. (Isadora Duncan, dancer)
I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer’s body, we as audience must see ourselves, not the imitated behavior of everyday actions, not the phenomenon of nature, not exotic creatures from another planet, but something of the miracle that is a human being. (Martha Graham, dancer)
Let’s not call physical comedy falling down and pratfalls. All humor is physical, no matter how you dish it out. It’s timing, like a dancer or an athlete would have. (Chevy Chase, actor/comedian)
I would imagine that if you could understand Morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy. (Mitch Hedberg, comedian)
Program (Past Posts)
Act 1: Dance
Act 2: Dancing
Act 3: Dancers
Dance is a rhythmic action to music, but it’s also an event where the action occurs. Then again, from the time we most-likely first danced on someone’s lap, one can dance anywhere – around the house, down the aisles of the grocery store, or wherever one desires.
If dance is an action painting to music, dancer is the artist of motion. Some names are synonymous with dance: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gene Kelly, Martha Graham, Anna Pavlova, Gregory Hines, Rudolf, Nureyev, and Sammy Davis, Jr, to name a few. Interesting, Baryshnikov said, “No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business.”
Although Dancers is the title, this act is much more – thus offers a variety of choices of keywords in the song title. After all, there are different dancers and common places to dance
- Songs titles with dancer(s), dances, a specific dancer (as ballerina) or compound words including dance
- (EX) Dancehall is an acceptable compound word,but happy dance is not acceptable because it is not a compound word.
- Exception: dancehall, dance hall, dance-hall, dancefloor, dance-floor, and dance floor are acceptable – but this exception is not applicable to other compound words
- Dances refers to the actual word, not a specific type of dance
- New addition: Ballroom will be accepted
Production Note
To prevent browsers crashing from loading too many videos, please 1) include the song title and artist in your text, and 2) paste the URL as part of your last line (not a new line). The latter will provide a link, thus not embed the actual video … but I don’t mind unembedding, so apologies are not necessary.
Special Note: Next week’s Act 4 will be tricky, so plan ahead by visiting the Hear Ye page, then (if needed) ask questions.
Announcement
For opening acts, we at aFa Productions tend to go with classic artists or surprises. This time, even we surprised ourselves with our choice. Then again, this was a chance to demonstrate the exception in the rules. The date was 1984, so some in the audience may recall this group from watching the early days of MTV. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Wang Chung to the stage with Dance Hall Days.
Tina Turner sings Private Dancer …. for this act. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPinJoZ2sWk
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Resa,
Now there is a great song that I knew would appear … and getting it as the first in the comments is excellent!
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Not sure why, but my subsequent comment to this is out of order.
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I knew it would be one of the first to go!
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This one probably won’t be new for many people, but it brings back very fond karaoke memories for me — this is “Tiny Dancer”, by Elton John: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBWfUc5jKiM
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And I so knew this would be one of the first or second as well! Love…
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Alisha,
A true classic, thus an excellent choice. … although I’m surprised you didn’t come back with the one from a previous act that got the buzzer.
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That was allowed?? The Director is usually such a stickler for repeats, I didn’t wish to offend him again.
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For clarification, I’m referring to Moondance because it fits as a compound words (but it’s now used).
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I feel so many emotions when I hear this song &/or see the vid. Tina Turner is one of my heroes! BTW … luv Wang Chung – Dance Hall Days
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Resa,
Between Tina and Wang Chung, you were movin’ and groovin’.
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How about a little Boz Scaggs and Slow Dancer? https://youtu.be/P9bJmAt_6s8
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Such a lovely song, JIm. I had forgotten all about it!
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Jim,
Wow …. talk about easy listening! Excellent choice … and one I didn’t know. Well done!
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I cannot do better than Private Dancer… and no one else can either!
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Ah c’mon, Trent! You can find something!
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I have to bow before the altar of the Tina, I’m afraid. As a child of the 80’s, I simply cannot refute my ingrained Turneresque nature.
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Gotta love your encouragement.
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I try…
And… good morning!
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Good Morning, Ms Dale!
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Trent,
Never fear as I will come to your rescue … Not only with a song from my college days, but with a Canadian band … Little Gandy Dancer (BTO) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfnGSdecPus … Enjoy!
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I cannot tell you how happy I am that words, such as ballerina are accepted here. When I knew this act was coming with the word “dancer” being one of the main themes allowed, I figured (hoped) that types of dancers would be permitted…. so, after all my blah, blah, Mr. Pussy Willow Voice himself, Nat King Cole with Dance, Ballerina, Dance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QG_-eiN_SA
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Dale,
Ah ha … from your comments in previous acts, your choice isn’t surprising. … and gotta love it.
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Thank you, kind sir!
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Here’s a song that could make it into both Act 2 and Act 3: Paul McCartney’s Ballroom Dancing: https://youtu.be/DNEHF2fAhh8
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X,
Good choice … after all, members of The Fab Four are always welcome.
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I shall wait before submitting my second choice. (Must be fair to all participants, eh?)
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For your efforts, here’s a song for you (and I’m surprised it hasn’t appeared) – Flashdance … What a Feeling (Irene Cara) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILWSp0m9G2U … 🙂
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So incredibly sweet of you to give me a song for my efforts. Now that a full day and some has passed, here is what I had planned to offer as my second choice. Claire de Lune/Ballerina from my favourite Styx album https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sZ749y2dZU
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Many thanks … after all, you rescued a drowning mouse. Styx is a long-time fav of mine … good choice.
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Just trying to do my part… 😀
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This is a tough one, Frank.
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Elyse,
Of course there are more than you think, but I know your job as a fake medical professional currently has your mind in a frenzy, so here’s one for you … all the way back to 1976 on Midnight Special …. Fancy Dancer (Commodores) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYIi_kTu4YA 🙂
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You can have more than one?! I didn’t know that!
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😀 Well… The Producer is quite lenient (don’t tell him I said so!!!) but I just choose to wait and give others a chance!
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The Producer told me he is carefully watching your dialogue with buzzer in hand.
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*shivers*
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Cathy,
I prefer visitors provide one at a time because it gives others a chance. However, I have some who return later to add more songs. For instance, in your afternoon would be a good time.
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Okay, “If I Was a Dancer,” by the Rolling Stones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE4tC8G5siw
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Cathy,
I don’t know this song, but it’s a good one … and the pics in this video are awesome!
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Here’s “Music Box Dancer” by Frank Mills: http://youtu.be/AdEJmGGwMBY
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That’s a classic! I never knew that was the title!
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Danica,
I always love a classic … and I remember when this one was a hit. Good choice.
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This was a fun one, Frank. A few came to mind, so I went for “The Ballroom Blitz,” performed by The Sweet. 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36sBsUN9POY I’ll be interested in what others contribute with such a wide range to choose from!
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Man oh man… if I had a quarter for every time I danced to this one! Fun stuff, Debra!
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Sorry I didn’t see your comment last night, Dale! I think one of the lovely aspects of Frank’s musical parties is we can take a little dip into our younger years. This song sure did it for me, too! 🙂
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Indeed! That Frank is great, isn’t he?
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Ahhhh … always nice to hear good words … Even if I hired The Producer.
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Debra,
Oh yes … definitely a blast from the past, which is something I expect from someone from my era. After all, we went to different high schools together.
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I have to go with this one Frank, Bruce Springsteen and ‘Dancing in the Dark’. https://youtu.be/129kuDCQtHs Sorry for being predictable 🙂
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Pauline,
Unpredictable is a good thing, but Dancing was in Act 2.
However, to save the day after The Producer’s buzzer, here’s Nina, Pretty Ballerina (Abba) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnz-qwt8hE4
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I’m off to get a head scan done ………. I know my brain is somewhere
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Hey … it happens to the best of us.
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Hi Frank! I give you: “Disco Dancer ” by the one and only: DEVO! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQyGaG7K1no&index=1&list=RDPQyGaG7K1no Many more to come [one of which didn’t make it to the …Hall! 😉 ]
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Marina,
OH my … now there’s one I didn’t expect … and Devo has a way of delivering the unexpected.
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They do, don’t they?!!!! 🙂
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Your Producer was quite demanding this time, and this one was especially tough on me after seeing that my favorite Tina Turner song had already been picked. Here though is Wilson Pickett in “Land of a 1000 Dances.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mz_EXHKGHs
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Tim,
For the record, I set the parameters, but I’ve hired The Producer (not Your Producer, but my producer) to implement the program. Meanwhile, I’m amazed that you’ve been venturing into the world of pop, although Wilson Pickett has elements of your main man, the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. So I will provide an element of jazz that you missed … Dancers in Love (Duke Ellington) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU0IBOzeO0M … 🙂
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I hope you enjoy my entry, Dancer and the Moon (Blackmore’s Night): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1pwh0EGeqM
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I totally enjoyed it!
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Val,
Oh … one that I don’t know … but I like it … thanks for the find.
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I wasn’t sure if “danced” fit–as in “I could have danced all night.” You know me and musicals. 🙂 So my next choice is Jackson Browne, “For a Dancer,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU1rZa8Ur_Q
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Merril,
This Jackson Browne song was on my list … well done! … and glad you enjoyed the quotes … and good choice on avoiding “Danced”.
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Also–I love your dance quotes.
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I think I have one no else has mentioned…. The Commodores, Fancy Dancer. This is the only one I could think of lol.
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Quick! Get another one! The Producer himself has offered this one up! 😉
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Kia,
Although The Producer was ready to issue the buzzer because the song was already used, However, I talked him out of the buzzer because you didn’t provide the song and suggested that no others came to mind. I can’t believe I talked him out of it. Meanwhile, here’s a song for you … Blood on the Dance Floor (Michael Jackson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3_NntYhzV4 … hope it makes you dance.
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Swing out to Nat King Cole’s “Ballerina” or “Dance, Ballerina, Dance” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO8_79MgicA
(Although I think not allowing the country spelling of “dance hall” is unfair. What? Oh, it’s Honky Tonk. …you may snort /giggle now)
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Sorry, darlin’… that was MY choice! See above… 😉
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Naw, Dahlin. So sorry to dance on those little toes. Much too busy to run thru all. Will replay as time allows.
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All good, Sweet Thing… I was just trying to avoid you getting that dang Buzzer from The Producer…
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You obviously have GREAT taste in music, by the way…. 😉
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Oh, the Producer would feel depressed if there was no chance to use his power of the buzzer. Can’t have that. Let nothing end his glee!
No time to check the dance floor, but bookmarked Lionel Richie’s “Ballerina Girls” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KhugqHhhk0 His daughter Nicole sang a version, too, I think.
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I won’t dare to assume but methinks you just may have avoided giving him that power! (You were gonna use the word Ballerina, no matter what, eh?) (My 2nd choice has it too!!!)
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If we must use the formal spelling of “Dance Hall”, then only a formal participant would be worthy….:)
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Mouse,
You were obviously drowning with this selection, but Dale tossed you a life preserver that you gallantly grabbed – then saved yourself with Lionel Richie. On the other hand, sorry to disappoint you but The Producer doesn’t get depressed as doesn’t have many emotions beyond being constantly aggravated. However, to respond to your more than once reference to dance hall – 1) “dance hall” is acceptable, 2) I know the formal spelling, and 3) I know how it is used – thus the variations. I have spoken.
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Regional spelling is “Honky Tonk” (giggles and humorous salute To the Producer!)
On another note, I thought it was sweet that Nicole as an adult sang the song “Ballerina Girls” her dad Lionel wrote for here when she was a child
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Thanks for the clarification that you were referring to Honky Tonk … and I applaud you decision not to use it. …. and Nicole singing her dad’s song is similar to Natalie Cole doing the say … and I imagine a few others.
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Good Evening Mr. Producer,
I had quite a few tunes in mind. I decided on this one because it’s another one of my favorite dance styles; although, tap and jazz were my forte. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky / Nina Kaptsova – Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy https://youtu.be/Wz_f9B4pPtg/
Hope you enjoy …
Isadora 😎
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Isadora,
Saying “Good Evening” to The Producer never works … actually goes the other way because he’s quite cantankerous … best advice is to always communicate with me. Meanwhile, The Producers nixes the beautiful classic because the keyword was in Act 1.
However, I provide this song for you over The Producer’s foul mood … here’s My Wife The Dancer (Engelbert Humperdinck) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9XwLI8ZAGI
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Oh, my … I’m just getting to some responses and realized I’ve been BUZZED …!!! 😥
It’s all that wine from the last act. It must have clouded my brain. 😳
Oh, darn …. I’ll have to get out of the clouds for the next act. 😁
Isadora 😎
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Alcohol can clutter the brain … but I hope you saw the sog I left you. Meanwhile, Act 4 will be a tough one, so make sure you study ahead (See the Hear Ye page).
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Yes, I did see the song, aFrank. I can now see the direction I was supposed to go. Unfortunately, E.Humperdinck wasn’t a fav of mine. 😉But, I did have a costume like the dancer in the video for a play I was in. Fond memories for me …!!!!😎
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No problem on Ebgelbert … but cheers to the costume memory. Next act is up tomorrow night.
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Good evening, Mr. Producer. “Dancers” – this is one of my favorite acts! I’m going to with Nat King Cole: Ballerina – https://youtu.be/9QG_-eiN_SA
Oh, I hope it’s still available! I love the quotes and your choice of Wang Chung. You know how I love Wang Chung!!! If this song isn’t approved, I’d like to offer Everybody Wang Chung tonight! It could be a Bonus track. 🙂
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I was out for dinner with a friend and couldn’t give you a warning, Amy… that was MY choice 😉
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Oh no!! Well, good choice, Dale! Maybe the Producer will accept my bonus track idea. I guess I need to get over here earlier.
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Amy,
Trying to be nice to The Producer typically causes him to add more burrs to his shorts, then he eats broken glass over milk. In the future, I recommend communicating with me. Because the classic Nat King Cole song was already used …
Glad you enjoyed Wang Chung opening the act … but the song you mentioned is Everybody Have Fun Tonight … I’m coming to your rescue. Knowing the importance of dance in your life, here’s Dance Floor (Kylie Minogue) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSjNCTcXgn8
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Well, about this one Frank? The “Lonely Ballerina” (Michele McLaughlin). I bet you don’t have this one. https://youtu.be/FuRdb8CcyAU
🙂
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This is awesome (listening as I type). Relaxing … and full of ballet imagery in my mind. Good addition!
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Thanks, Mr. Producer. Yay, success for Bumble!
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Here are some dancers to The White Buffalo https://youtube.com/watch?v=ES4JdPkWsJE
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Genie,
Interesting song and video of everyday dancers … but the title doesn’t qualify
So here’s one for you Dancehall Queen (Beenie Man & Lady Saw) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cytbn7uWaSI
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One for all: Moondance (Michael Buble) https://youtu.be/PBCJWJXeFzk
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Cheers! Luv it & here’s the Van Morrison version! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lFxGBB4UGU
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Resa,
Gotta love Van Morrison … thanks … and here’s one of his that hasn’t been used … Ballerina (Van Morrison) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCs-VBY-VmE
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As promised here is one song from a band that didn’t make it to the Hall!: JETHRO TULL – BLACK SATIN DANCER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBFXAN0pTjo and a couple more: The Smiths – Death of a Disco Dancer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvhe2QCYqvM and last one I think you’ll enjoy …visually 😉 Bill Whelan: Riverdance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJabylsPq5I [i didn’t see Prince or Frankie Valli]
Have a great weekend, my friend.
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Well, actually that last one is not a song – I just thought you’d enjoy it! 😉
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…so, some more riverdance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJPE2vVFXeo [I’m stopping now, promise!]
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Marina,
Excellent additions … I was waiting for Riverdance, so thanks for coming through. The other two I didn’t know, but like the Tull song the best. I think Act 3 is up to 30 songs!
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Yes, it’s a beautiful song… I’m still finding it hard to believe that they are among the Hall’s omissions! 🙂
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WHAaaaa …. I was going to post Riverdance. I didn’t think it qualified.
Isn’t that part of Act 1? No offense to my dear friend, Marina. She knows music.
Just wondering???? Oh, this question is for aFrank. 😁
Gracias,
Isadora
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Isadora,
The Producer would have buzzed Riverdance in Act 1 because that act was only “Dance” … but in this act, this first bullet above states “…. or compound words including dance.”
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Ahhhh … I feared the buzzer too much to take the risk. Then, I add one that is really wrong. Eeeekkk … I must review before I make a decision next time. Thanks for clearing that up for me, aFrank. 😄
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Glad to help!
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After all my trying to sneak Flashdance in I missed act 3. :-(. Next time.
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Kim,
Yep … Flashdance would have worked here … just like Riverdance & Moondance – but all those of those songs are taken – but never fear because I have one for you … Standing on the Dance Floor (Isley Brothers) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83aBBGGlxww 🙂
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Still dancing my way through the WP.
How about Spanish Dancer by Steve Winwood? https://youtu.be/Tpyug3kAp2M
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RoSy,
I didn’t know this one … and I like it!
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😀
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