Some DJs like to end with a bang. I prefer to end with a slow song that stands out from the other slow songs of the evening. The best of these songs are those that have a defined ending rather than just a slow fade to silence. Why? I thought you'd never ask.
A song that ends with "a period" seems to trigger a romantic gesture. A kiss, maybe an extended embrace. Something whispered in his or her ear. A smile. I feel like when I end the dance party with a classic slow song the evening doesn't end there.
I have a small list of favorites that never fail.
At the top of my list is "Forever" recorded by "The Little Dippers." Released in 1960, this tune has grown on me over the past few years. Recorded by a veteran background singer named Anita Kerr and three other studio backup singers, it became a huge hit when Dick Clark heard it and wanted the "group" to perform on American Bandstand. Except...there wasn't really a group. No problem, the record company formed a group which toured and performed as "The Little Dippers" for several years. Don't cry for Anita...she did well performing as backup singer on most of the big hits that came out of Memphis in the early 60s.
Forever shares some of the essential characteristics of my favorite "Last Dance" tunes. The arrangement is sparse; like a Floyd Kramer tune. (Think "Last Dance") A bass, which does the heavy lifting for the rhythm-keeping, minimal guitars, just a hint of soft drums, and a lean, but haunting piano melody. The tempo is perfect for swaying together with arms around your partner...nothing fancy...no over-complicated exhibition "Dancing With the C-Level Stars" here...this is the "slow dance tune" of slow dance tunes.
But really, it's the vocals that makes this song. Not especially passionate, nor clever. In fact, there is only one verse, repeated twice. The song doesn't build to some Nelson Riddle, Billy May, or Perez Prado crescendo of strings and/or horns. No, not at all.
Not that kind of song.
Hold me, kiss me,
Whisper sweetly
That you love me
Forever.
That's it. And it's just perfect. See if you don't agree HERE.
A song that ends with "a period" seems to trigger a romantic gesture. A kiss, maybe an extended embrace. Something whispered in his or her ear. A smile. I feel like when I end the dance party with a classic slow song the evening doesn't end there.
I have a small list of favorites that never fail.
At the top of my list is "Forever" recorded by "The Little Dippers." Released in 1960, this tune has grown on me over the past few years. Recorded by a veteran background singer named Anita Kerr and three other studio backup singers, it became a huge hit when Dick Clark heard it and wanted the "group" to perform on American Bandstand. Except...there wasn't really a group. No problem, the record company formed a group which toured and performed as "The Little Dippers" for several years. Don't cry for Anita...she did well performing as backup singer on most of the big hits that came out of Memphis in the early 60s.
Forever shares some of the essential characteristics of my favorite "Last Dance" tunes. The arrangement is sparse; like a Floyd Kramer tune. (Think "Last Dance") A bass, which does the heavy lifting for the rhythm-keeping, minimal guitars, just a hint of soft drums, and a lean, but haunting piano melody. The tempo is perfect for swaying together with arms around your partner...nothing fancy...no over-complicated exhibition "Dancing With the C-Level Stars" here...this is the "slow dance tune" of slow dance tunes.
But really, it's the vocals that makes this song. Not especially passionate, nor clever. In fact, there is only one verse, repeated twice. The song doesn't build to some Nelson Riddle, Billy May, or Perez Prado crescendo of strings and/or horns. No, not at all.
Not that kind of song.
Hold me, kiss me,
Whisper sweetly
That you love me
Forever.
That's it. And it's just perfect. See if you don't agree HERE.
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