I Wanna Dance with Somebody

I listen to some people talk about their past in such detail that I’m envious. I remember the past like short movie clips that are only part of the whole. Certain things I remember as sensory experiences – the smell, the touch, the way it made me feel. Other things I remember as if I’m filming a scene and am removed from what actually occurred.

One thing I remember fondly from growing up is dance routines. My sisters and I, along with other kids on the street, would choreograph dance routines to our favorite songs. We’d get dressed up and perform for our parents, friends or a mirror. I think we just lip synched but maybe we sang along, too. If we sang, that would explain our small audiences.

I’m certain I did a very uninspired routine to Young MC’s Bust a Move. I suspect I got down to a little Michael Jackson, Huey Lewis and the News and some occasional Debbie Gibson. The music that most accompanied all of our dance routines was Whitney Houston. We had the albums Whitney Houston and Whitney on cassette and played them a lot. Those albums were packed with hits, with my personal favorite being I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me). Do you remember just how big that song was? How good?

When I learned that Whitney Houston passed away this past weekend, I was sad because she left a lot of people behind who have got to be struggling with losing her so young. Selfishly, I was also sad for the finality that gave to some of my memories. I know it doesn’t matter. I’m probably never going to do a dance routine again, and it’s even more unlikely that I would do a dance routine to some Whitney any time soon. But thinking back 25 years about dancing around my house never seemed that long ago. Now, with her gone, it solidifies the fact that my past is indeed past. But every time the opening notes of I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) come on the radio, you can be sure that I’ll turn it up and sing along. I won’t dance, but I’ll be remembering when Whitney inspired me to do so.

Here is a photo of my sister and I, along with a neighborhood friend, right before or after one of our dance routines. This picture is awesome for so many reasons. Do you see our make-up? We look like clowns. I loved that peach dress I’m wearing. The skirt was layered ruffles and I would pop the collar and accessorize with a turquoise-colored bead necklace. On the fireplace mantle behind us are a bunch of Lego creations my brother made – a house and a tower. My sister’s sock a and show choice is terrible but so much funnier since she’s also wearing a white anklet.