(l’ve Had) the Time of My Life has probably been played at every high school dance since a sinewy Patrick Swayze shimmied into the public consciousness in 1987. Dirty Dancing was a pop culture phenomenon, cleverly challenging the oppressive comfort of a conservative late 80’s America with the sinuous rhythm and primal sex appeal of dance culture. Such a film lives and dies on the strength of its soundtrack and this one certainly delivers. Like the film, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack is a perfect slice of saccharine 80’s pop that evokes a nostalgic sensibility but it also shimmies, shakes and grinds at the same time. Even if it wasn’t connected to the film it would stand on its own as a great compilation. Highlights include Be My Baby by the Ronettes, Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen and Patrick Swayze’s surprisingly good vocal turn, She’s Like the Wind. But you probably know that already – when a record sells 32 million copies (and spends 18 weeks at #1) its track listing has a tendency to tattoo itself into the popular imagination. The Dirty Dancing soundtrack is 32 years old but continues to walk the line between fun and schmaltzy, between goofy and sexy. The secret to its evergreen appeal (and what separates it from other soundtracks) is its unwillingness to be background music. After all, nobody puts Baby in the corner.
Pete Whelan 