La Musica!

Last year we posted suggestions for some of the music we’d like to see used on Strictly Come Dancing. Last year saw some highs (such as the great Sonora Carruseles tracks Acuyeye and Micaela for salsas) and some lows (too many rock/pop ballads for the tangos and pasos) I was considering writing a plea for more authentic latin music to be used for tangos, sambas and salsas, but I realised that would make me sound like a pedant. Generally, they make the mood of the dance stronger – either broodingly passionate for a tango or tropical-coconuts-and-maracas-with-sprinkles for a samba. But sometimes an unexpected arrangement can work remarkably well (Case in point, Darren Bennett’s use of Maneater for a tango). So I won’t rant too much...

Strange and Beautiful – Aqualung- Waltz

I’m still lobbying for this one; I think it would be lovely.

Proud Mary – Tina Turner – Jive

Suggested on Twitter by jitterbug96. It has been used as a pro jive before but it’s a great choice as it’s currently popular due to Glee!

Pack Up –Paloma Faith –Jive or Quickstep

I suggested jive; shortysheila thinks quickstep. Either could work. Nice current song.

Temba Tumba y Timba – Los Van Van; Abre que Voy – Miguel Enriquez; Ay! Ay Amor – David Calzado y Charanga Habanera – salsa

Some nice Cuban salsa or timba tracks. I believe the salsas work so much better with real latin music. Tweet @chrisofthetelly with your salsa music suggestions and he said he’d put the best to the producers.

El Cantante – Hector Lavoe/Marc Anthony; Salsa Dura/Duelo de Bongo –La Excelencia; Correla – Salsa Celtica - Salsa

Some ‘harder’ salsa sounds but still catchy.

The Best Years of Our Lives – Modern Romance – Samba

Suggested by Gin_Girl.

Toxicity –System of a Down – Paso Doble

Frankie’s all time favourite suggestion. Will someone just do it to put her out of her misery?

Uprising – Muse – Paso Doble

Suggested on Twitter by ShellyM1987

Bumpy Ride – Mohombi; Batacuda – Sergio Mendes; Jump in the Line – Harry Belafonte – Samba

Bumpy Ride is bound to be an autumn hit and would make a great samba. So much by Sergio Mendes and similar artists make great sambas...why use a disco track when you can have real atmosphere with something like this, or Aquerela do Brasil...or...? And the Harry Belafonte? For Beetlejuicy novelty value.

La Complainte de la Butte – Rufus Wainwright (from Moulin Rouge); Once Upon a Dream – from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty; Paris – Edith Piaf; What’s New Pussycat? – Tom Jones; My Favourite Things – Big Brovaz – Viennese Waltz

Our Viennese Waltz suggestions from last year.

We Belong Together – Gavin DeGraw – Rumba

Last year’s quickstep suggestions

Tu vuò fà l'americano – Renato Carosone; Why Don’t You Do Right? – Peggy Lee/Imelda May

Both of these tracks have been remixed into dance hits this year. Tu vuo fa...would make a great quickstep. The original Why Don’t You Do Right by Peggy Lee would work as a foxtrot or American Smooth; Imelda May’s version would make a great jive.

More or less anything by The Baseballs – Jive or Rock and Roll

German Rock and Roll cover group. Like the male ‘50s style version of The Puppini Sisters.

Cry Me Out – Pixie Lott – Viennese Waltz

Suggested by SharonFindlay on Twitter.

You Know Me – Robbie Williams – Viennese Waltz

An obvious choice. These 3/4 tracks are pretty hard to come across.

Rock the Casbah – The Clash; Mony Mony – Billy Idol – Cha Cha Cha

Some kitsch rocky cha cha chas.

Blame it on the Girls – Mika – Cha Cha Cha

Frankie’s suggestion. She always thinks it would work well as a group number.

Remedy – Little Boots – Tango

Another suggestion from Ms. Frankie. I think this might have been on our list last year. We like this girl because she’s from Blackpool!

Empire State of Mind- Alicia Keyes – Foxtrot

The stripped down version. Frankie says it so could be jazzed up for an American Smooth though.

It Must Be Love – Madness – American Smooth

Unconventional choice by Frankie for an American Smooth but it is the ultimate choice. The lifts would fit in marvellously.

I Just Haven’t Met You Yet –Michael Buble – Foxtrot/American Smooth

As Frankie says, sooo cheesy but sooo right for Strictly.

Dimelo – Marc Anthony; Corazon Espinado- Santana – Cha Cha Cha

Two Spanish language cha cha tracks that would work well.

Everything I Can’t Have – Robin Thicke; You’re Fine – Alex Wilson – Salsa

Two English language salsa tracks that would be great to hear on Strictly.

More suggestions on last year’s post here http://frankieandcloverstrictly.blogspot.com/2009/08/music-choices.html

Tweet your suggestions using the tag #strictlysongchoice or comment below!