Sunday Scribblings: Dance

The History of Dance, as told by January Gill



Everything I learned about dance I learned from Janet Jackson. I’m referring to the Janet of What Have You Done for Me Lately—long before Nipple-gate. Back when her brother, Michael, was somewhat normal. You know, when MTV still played videos 24/7.

When my friends and I were old enough to hit the clubs, but under 21, we’d head over to a dance club called Ferrari’s—and I danced until I became a sweaty mess. Obviously, we couldn’t drink, but Friday nights (and some Saturdays) we’d be the ones in the center of the dance floor showing off our best moves until closing.

Some of my most favorite dance songs from that era:

Poison, BBD
Funky Cold Medina, Tone Loc
It Takes Two, Rob Base
It Takes Two, Cover Girls
Bust a Move, Young MC
Push It, Salt n Pepa
Kiss, Prince
Lean On Me, Club Nouveau
Need You Tonight, INXS
Anything Madonna


When I met my husband in 1997, we met at a New Orleans bar called F&M’s. It was the kind of place where they’d let you dance on the pool table and, literally, swing from the rafters. Since then, the only time we seem to go dancing is when we’re invited to weddings. *sigh* But whenever I hear these songs it takes me right back to one of the happiest times in my life. And who knows what 2008 will bring—with any luck, it brings ’80s night in Boston!


Visit Sunday Scribblings to see who else is bustin' a move!

Comments

Anonymous said…
These are great dance numbers. One just sways hearing those! You took me back on time. Thanks!

Dance of Life
Cate said…
I hear you, chicky! You took me right back--big hair, pegged jeans, enormous earrings, and all--thanks!
Goodnight, Mom said…
Jana!

Read my post! Ferrari's here I come!!!

-K
January said…
Kristi, sometimes I wish I could go back in time!
Tumblewords: said…
It would be fun to go back in time - if we could choose the moment and return on command! Nice story! Hoping 2008 brings your wish...
Tammy Brierly said…
Nipple-gate...LOL Janet had great moves and I still love the Thriller video.
Beau Brackish said…
All those sounds bring back memories of my teens. I could head nod and knee buckle quite well in those days. I think my moves were much closer to Rick Astley than Janet back then. Not much has changed in that regard in the past two decades.
January said…
Umm ... we had the Rick Astley dance down, too. "Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down ..."
SusieJ said…
I do wish I could dance like her. http://amadisonmom.blogspot.com/2007/12/lucky-lucky-me.html
SusieJ said…
Sorry! I left the wrong link -- there is no way for wordpress.org to use the new blogger signin! SusieJ
wendy said…
I just remember being a throng of girls on the dance floor...

If I tried with my friends now, we may be asked to leave!
Unknown said…
I know the Thriller dance...I also owned a silver glove.
absolutely agree... hey that was when we all thought janet was bad .. little did we know she was going to be even badder...thanks for the memories!!
Lori said…
This definitely takes me back in time to my early teen years! Great times! Thank you for the time trip. I can just see me and my friends dancing the night away to those songs. Just smiling recalling all of that. Thanks!
Anonymous said…
I still think Janet is the bomb.

Also, I most certainly danced to those very same songs, too.

-Phoebe
paris parfait said…
Happy holidays, January! Hope you have a wonderful family Christmas. xo

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