Dirty Dancing, "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life"--Music and the Fictive Dream

Dirty Dancing is a 1987 dance drama film written by Eleanor Bergstein. I have fond memories of watching the movie when I was younger and singing and dancing to its soundtrack. In my opinion, it is a timeless classic that seamlessly blends romance, music, and dance. The film was produced by Linda Gottlieb and directed by Emile Ardolino. The scene is set in 1963 where Patrick Swayze stars as dance instructor Johnny Castle, and Jennifer Grey plays Frances "Baby" Houseman, a young woman at a resort who falls in love with him. Dirty Dancing premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 1987, and was released on August 21, 1987, earning $214 million worldwide. It was acclaimed by critics for the performances of Grey and Swayze, and its soundtrack, composed by Jimmy Ienner, produced two multi-platinum albums. It was also the first film to sell over one million copies on home video.

The soundtrack of 1988 produced several hits that landed on the charts, such as “She’s Like the Wind,” performed by Patrick Swayze, and composed by Stacy Widelitz and Swayze which reached No. 3 on the charts. “Hungry Eyes,” composed by Franke Previte and John DeNicola and performed by Eric Carmen, peaked at No. 4. Additionally, “Yes,” composed by Neal Cavanaugh, Terry Fryer, and Tom Graf, and performed by Merry Clayton, reached No. 45 on the charts.

The song we will be focusing on today is the most iconic song of the movie “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” composed by Franke Previte, John DeNicola, and Donald Markowitz and performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. In the United States, the single topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 1987 for one week and also reached number one on the Adult Contemporary for four weeks.

The filmmakers really wanted a song that could capture the intense love story between Baby and Johnny, the main characters. And "(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life" nailed it, especially with lines like "I’ve been waiting for so long, now I’ve finally found someone to stand by me."
The background story on the song's creation: the writers were drawing from their own life dramas to make something that would hit home for the audience. Franke Previte, the lead singer of Franke and the Knockouts, was going through a tough breakup when he began writing the song. The other writers, John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz, also tapped into their own heartaches to give the lyrics that raw, emotional edge. Together, this trio cooked up a tune that totally captures that universal yearning for a connection we all experience at some point.

The Scene for "(I've Had) The Time of My Life":

The song is played during a climactic dance performance at the final dance competition at Kellerman's resort. The main characters, Johnny Castle (played by Patrick Swayze) and Frances "Baby" Houseman (played by Jennifer Grey), have been practicing their routine secretly, disregarding social norms.

When Johnny and Baby step onto the dance floor, all eyes are on them. The audience falls silent as the beautiful melody of "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" begins, setting the stage for an amazing performance. The song has a grand cinematic feel, with lots of orchestral elements like strings and brass. The upbeat rhythm gets everyone clapping along as the couple dances gracefully around the stage, executing every move with perfection.

The choreography is amazing! The way Baby and Johnny move together is simply stunning. You can really see the passion and emotion they put into their performance. I love how Baby's newfound confidence on the dance floor blends so perfectly with Johnny's powerful and graceful moves. And the music just makes you want to dance along! The drums, bass, and rhythm sections create a solid foundation for the dance moves. It's impossible not to feel the beat and get swept away by the music.

A sense of newfound love is conveyed by the lyrics of the song, as well as the transformative power of dance. With the music reaching its crescendo, Johnny reaches Baby and sweeps her off her feet in the famous lift that has become synonymous with the film.

The crowd goes wild, loving the magic of the moment. Johnny and Baby exchange a victorious, lingering gaze as the song reaches its final notes. The music becomes an essential part of the tale, making the climax of the film even more emotionally impactful.

The scene from "Dirty Dancing" is an example of how music and dance can convey emotion and storytelling, making it a memorable and cherished film moment.

Works Cited

Medley, Bill, et al. “(I've Had) The Time of My Life.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(I%27ve_Had)_The_Time_of_My_Life. Accessed 26 November 2023.

Meyer, Wyatt. “Social Commentary: “Dirty Dancing” – ODYSSEY Media Group.” ODYSSEY Media Group, 7 September 2022, https://odysseynewsmagazine.net/2022/09/07/social-commentary-dirty-dancing/. Accessed 26 November 2023.

Previte, Franke, et al. “Dirty Dancing.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Dancing. Accessed 26 November 2023.

Wilson, Morris. “The Meaning Behind The Song: (I've Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes.” Old Time Music, 12 October 2023, https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-ive-had-the-time-of-my-life-by-bill-medley-jennifer-warnes/. Accessed 26 November 2023.