First Dance at Wedding

[davidmichael]

My fiancee and I are getting married in September and we are having a problem with our first dance. We want to dance to "Make Your Own Kind of Music" by Mama Cass (not a remix version, we LOVE the original ), but have no idea how to, since it doesn't seem like a logical song to dance to. We are not the greatest dancers. We would be very appreciative if anyone is familiar with the song and can give any advice...i.e. Ballroom etc. I realize it is difficult to give this type of advice.

Thank you for any help.

David

[Amanda Coyle]

My fiancee and I are getting married in September and we are having a problem with our first dance. We want to dance to "Make Your Own Kind of Music" by Mama Cass (not a remix version, we LOVE the original ), but have no idea how to, since it doesn't seem like a logical song to dance to. We are not the greatest dancers. We would be very appreciative if anyone is familiar with the song and can give any advice...i.e. Ballroom etc. I realize it is difficult to give this type of advice.

Thank you for any help.

David

David welcome to Dance Forums! As for that song my dance partner happens to have a few versions of it (including the original) on his iPhone. After listening to it a few times we both thought that maybe East Coast Swing might work-including through the tempo changes. My grandmother knows that song firsthand; if she has a different opinion I'll post what she says. I wonder what other people in the Forums think might work.

[tsb]

the good thing is that at ~118 BPM (29-30 MPM) you don't have major tempo issues. and at less than 2 minutes, you won't be dancing for long. but that triplet figure in the chorus really makes it a challenge.

the relative lyricism of the verses prompts me to suggest bolero for the verses (though the tempo may be a little fast for the purists), nothing fancy, just the basic and maybe a couple of outside turns.

because of the energy change/ and subsequent triplet figure, i'm envisioning going into chacha at the chorus (even though there's no explicit chacha timing in the music), and right before the triplet figure, start with a latin cross/new yorker/whatever you might call them and repeat them through those triplets -
(EV -EN - IF - NO - BO - DY - ELSE - SINGS - A - LONG... 2,3, cha cha cha)

and then go back into closed position and return to bolero for the verses.

[Amanda Coyle]

the good thing is that at ~118 BPM (29-30 MPM) you don't have major tempo issues. and at less than 2 minutes, you won't be dancing for long. but that triplet figure in the chorus really makes it a challenge.

the relative lyricism of the verses prompts me to suggest bolero for the verses (though the tempo may be a little fast for the purists), nothing fancy, just the basic and maybe a couple of outside turns.

because of the energy change/ and subsequent triplet figure, i'm envisioning going into chacha at the chorus (even though there's no explicit chacha timing in the music), and right before the triplet figure, start with a latin cross/new yorker/whatever you might call them and repeat them through those triplets -
(EV -EN - IF - NO - BO - DY - ELSE - SINGS - A - LONG... 2,3, cha cha cha)

and then go back into closed position and return to bolero for the verses.

tsb that's very astute. Yes that lyricism struck me especially when listening to a beautiful cover of the song by Angelina. Bolero might be a good choice. And I noticed that about the chorus as well for the 3 versions of the song that DP and I listened to. :cheers:

[davidmichael]

Hello - this is Katie, David's fiancee! Thank you Amanda and Tsb - such great help and you both seem to really know your stuff (pity we don't!!) We are going to do lots of research but think Bolero or East Coast Swing both look like better options than anything else we have researched (or practised!!) So exciting!! thanks :-)

[Amanda Coyle]

Hello - this is Katie, David's fiancee! Thank you Amanda and Tsb - such great help and you both seem to really know your stuff (pity we don't!!) We are going to do lots of research but think Bolero or East Coast Swing both look like better options than anything else we have researched (or practised!!) So exciting!! thanks :-)

David and Katie that makes me sooo happy and excited! Big, big congratulations on your upcoming nuptial day! And very nice song choice: though I had not heard that song until after your posting to check it out and attempt to answer your question, it has beautiful lyrics and sentiments. I just want to wish that you two "make your own kind of music"... :)

I do like what tsb said regarding Bolero, as it is my favorite dance. And its romance may fit your nuptials very nicely.

P.S. I am curious what your instructor's opinion will be.