The first song I ever danced to was "My Girl" by the Temptations. Truth be told, I was in first grade and in love with a girl name Jillian Sharon. And as an awkward kid who brought a brief case to school I thought the only way a cool girl would possibly like me was if I could be as smooth as the Temptations. I still think those guys were the some of the most smooth men on the planet. As a kid I couldn't fathom how they could express themself about this girl in such a confident way, while dancing and crooning, and Dave Ruffin, their leadman was just about the most slick guy ever, with his manly voice, impeccable style and how he was the odd man out of the rest of the Temptations and their smooth choreography. I loved everything about those guys.
Then enter the 90s. It was round about 1990 and I was in 4th grade. Kids were starting to "Go" together and I still felt like the odd man out and then I heard "Poison" and saw the music video. The guys in BBD were the natural progression of the Temptations, smooth, good dancers combined with a super confident swagger. Those chunky Timberlands, matching cardigan and hat, I thought it was all so smooth-- and as a result I made it my mission in life to master the running man and a body rock. I never got to show Jill Sharon my moves as I ended up moving out of the city and into the suburbs where no kids danced-- or at least not many. I still tried my hand at swagger, see red shirt, and navy overalls, likely with one strap undone:I'm sure one of these days video of dancing will surface and if I were capable of blushing I would. I like to dance and maybe a few years back I would have had swagger enough to enjoy it. Nowadays my dancing is reserved for moments where I may have had one too many or alone, while I'm cooking or driving in my car. But the joy of a beat or bass line gives me a small way of expressing my love for the world as it makes its own dance around the sun.
Posts
