New West Coast Swing choreography for September 2011
Our student group performed at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater a little over 2 weeks ago. We learned and rehearsed our West Coast Swing and Hustle choreography to Enrique Iglesias' pop song, "Tonight I'm Lovin You" for almost 90 days.
So, when I was thinking about what type of song I should use for West Coast Swing choreography for the month of September, pop music was last on the list. I didn't want anything too fast or anything that sounded like a night club.
I have generally shied away from slow music or R&B simply because it didn't have enough pep, but this was the right time! I also wanted something that the students could enjoy and attain on the surface, but find more challenging was the nuances were examined.
The Pick - Let Me Love You
I decided to choose Let Me Love You by Mario as this months song for our West Coast Swing choreography. It's 95 beats per minute, which makes it slow and groovy. It definitely has a clear verse and chorus, but the transition is more subtle than any pop or club counterpart.
The movement quality with this song is mostly smooth with a splash of sharp accents - which reflect the lyricism and emotion of the song. Because the song is quite slow, I don't expect that the West Coast Swing movements or patterns will be too complicated. However, I do think that some of the R&B syncopations and emotional dynamics will be more challenging than it would be if the students were dancing to thump-thump pop song.
This song requires that such simplicity of West Coast Swing movement gets augmented with emotional content. A true connection has to be made, not just in the points of physical contact, but also in the eyes and body. Ideally, the movements are just an extension to the emotional desire that is lyrically being expressed by the artist and the music.
I truly hope that my students listen to the song repeatedly to appreciate some of the rhythmic nuances and to learn the lyrics. Doing something as simple as this will significantly improve their dancing. Unfortunately, many beginner-intermediate West Coast Swing dancers are still just looking to learn their next big, trick move or pattern - if only they knew, that it's the intent and emotional relevance of the move that matters most...at times the actual pattern/movement is almost irrelevant.
The Lyrics
Here are the lyrics in case you want to learn them. I also found a video which shows the lyrics over the actual song so you can listen along.
The song can be purchased at iTunes.
Mmmm ..... Mmmmm.... Yeah....Mmmmm....Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Mmmm...Yeah....Mmmm..... Yeah, Yeah
[Verse 1:]
Baby I just don't get it
Do you enjoy being hurt?
I know you smelled the perfume, the make-up on his shirt
You don't believe his stories
You know that they're all lies
Bad as you are, you stick around and I just don't know why
If I was ya man (baby you)
Never worry bout (what I do)
I'd be coming home (back to you)
Every night, doin' you right
You're the type of woman (deserves good thangs)
Fistful of diamonds (hand full of rings)
Baby you're a star (I just want to show you, you are)
[Chorus:]
You should let me love you
Let me be the one to give you everything you want and need
Baby good love and protection
Make me your selection
Show you the way love's supposed to be
Baby you should let me love you, love you, love you
[Verse 2:]
Listen
Your true beauty's description looks so good that it hurts
You're a dime plus ninety-nine and it's a shame
Don't even know what you're worth
Everywhere you go they stop and stare
Cause you're bad and it shows
From your head to your toes, Out of control, baby you know
If I was ya man (baby you)
Never worry bout (what I do)
I'd be coming home (back to you)
Every night doin' you right
You're the type of woman (deserves good thangs)
Fistful of diamonds (hand full of rings)
Baby you're a star (I just want to show you, you are)
[Chorus:]
You should let me love you
Let me be the one to give you everything you want and need
Ooh Baby good love and protection
Make me your selection
Show you the way love's supposed to be
Baby you should let me....
[Bridge:]
You deserve better girl (you know you deserve better)
We should be together girl (baby)
With me and you it's whatever girl, hey!
So can we make this thing ours?
[Chorus:]
You should let me love you
Let me be the one to give you everything you want and need
Baby good love and protection
Make me your selection
Show you the way love's supposed to be
Baby you should let me love you, love you, love you
[repeat til it ends (about 3 times)]
[Mario (talking):]
Let me love you that's all you need babyLyrics found at: http://www.lyricstop.com/l/letmeloveyou-mario.html
