Monday, February 27, 2017

I Won't Dance... Revealed

Stephen T. McCarthy said in the comments that this battle was C-L-O-S-E, and I knew that, but I've been struggling with a stomach bug for nearly two weeks (since I posted this battle). It's been one of those crazy things that is bad, then is good (deceptively better), and then WHAM, it comes back. I think I might finally be past it, but I must say it's been energy depleting... big time!

All that said, I was excited to finally having a rousing battle on this here blog. In point of fact, this battle was so close that in the end your votes came out 8 for Frank Sinatra and 8 for Jane Monheit and Michael Buble.

What's that? I get to break this tie!!! I can't remember the last time that happened. Has it ever happened? I'm not sure. If so, it's been so long I don't recall it.

So, what are MY thoughts on this song (since they are actually important)... for once. Or maybe twice.

Sit back, and I'll tell you a little story. When I was in high school, the choirs performed a nearly gala-like concert in the spring. It was really something. There were song skits. People wore costumes for their "specialty songs". There were always four solos (two men, two women). Everyone wore formal attire (usually your prom clothing). It was da bomb. It wasn't just a concert; it was an event. The concert choir sat on glass boxes (2 people per box) when they weren't singing. I realize I'm not adequately describing this thing, but it was classy. Seriously. That is not my usual dose of sarcasm. Our high school was 10-12 grades, so I remember very clearly staying after school in the 10th grade just to watch the rehearsals leading up to this thing. I remember sitting in the front rows thinking about when this would be ME. Of course, I wanted a solo (that didn't happen), but that's okay. I was in a song skit. I was also in Swing Choir. In other words, I achieved most of my goals for senior year.

Anyway, one of the senior guys (his name was Mark) was a soloist my sophomore year. For the record, he was NOT the senior I had the worst crush on (a crush which began in 7th grade, fizzled out when he moved on to high school, and resumed full force my sophomore year). No, that guy was the OTHER soloist. Ironically, I can't recall what he even sang. But, Mark, my not-crush, sang the song I Won't Dance. OMG. If I wasn't fully in the throes of my crush on the other guy, Mark would've been my new crush simply because of that song. I loved that song. (Sadly, this is the sort of reasoning behind many of my crushes as I've traveled through this thing we call "life.")

That story told you nothing about Sinatra or the duet, but plenty about me and my history with the song I Won't Dance.

So, moving on... I think Buble is a fantastic singer and entertainer. I really love him the more I hear him. I thought Jane Monheit was just okay on this song. In some places, she struck me as nasal-sounding, which I didn't care for much. I think their VIDEO is wonderful. Entertaining as all get out. Such big personalities. I am a fan of personality. But, Frank Sinatra kills this song. I thought that McCarthy's comment about RING A DING-DING was particularly on target. I'm going from memory here, but he said something like, "How can you not vote for the guy who effectively uses Ring A Ding-Ding as a lyric?" Ironically, every time I get to that line in the song I smile. I just love it. IMHO, Sinatra does everything right. He's upbeat. Jazzy. But, oh so smooth. It all just glides off the tongue. So sweet. Ring A Ding-Ding, we have a winner.

Take us home (but we won't dance to get there)...


6 comments:

  1. I liked Buble and the gal better but it's apples and oranges really

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    1. Oh..I hope you will be feeling better. Peppermint tea with honey calms the stomach

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  2. This was an excellent Battle, GIRL WONDER. And isn't that fun when YOU get to determine the winner? I've gotten to do that a few times in BOTB and as far as I'm concerned, THAT is the ultimate in a Battle.

    There have also been a few times when my own vote determined that the Battle ended in a tie. That's not quite the same thrill.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    Check out my new blog @
    (Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

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  3. We've been hit with this chest cold/flu/crud that just won't go away. So annoying!

    Our choir was never so classy. How nice that would be to do it so fancy.

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  4. Sorry you've been so out of sorts. Hope you get to feeling better soon (if not already!).

    What a Battle! Funny how a story like you've told can basically influence attitudes about certain things. And I get how that can work.

    I think you made the right choice to give Sinatra the win in this Battle. You really picked two winners for this one.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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  5. I agree with you about Bublé and Monheit. He would have been better off singing alone. A well-deserved win for Frank and a great story, too. Music often influences our hearts, yes?

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