Let's Hear It for the Boy - Deniece Williams (1984) 6/28/23

Four years ago this week, the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild was in final rehearsals for the musical "Footloose," based on the 1984 movie of the same name--starring Kevin Bacon.

I had a small role in the CVTG production, and it was the first time I had been cast in a show I had once directed (at Chi-Hi). It was a lot of fun!

With that in mind, I thought I'd highlight one of the Great Songs from the show: "Let's Hear It for the Boy"

It was sung in the original film by Deniece Williams, and released as a single from the soundtrack album, as well as her solo album, which was named after the song.

Briefly, the film and the stage musical tell the story of Bomont, a town that has banned dancing after a tragedy, and the teens (led by Ren) who challenge the rule.

In the 1998 Broadway version, "Let's Hear It for the Boy" is sung by Rusty after her boyfriend Willard is mocked for not knowing how to dance. Rusty's confidence in her "Boy" is one of the many highlights of the show.

For Deniece Williams, the song is one of the many highlights of her career: a FOUR Chart hit in the US...and a TWO Chart hit in Canada.

To Break it down: In Billboard Magazine, it topped the Hot 100, Dance, and Hip=Hop Charts and reached #3 on the Adult Contemporary Chart! In Canada: #1/Top 40 and #9/AC.

It also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, and was certified platinum in the US and gold in Canada.

So let's hear it for Deniece Williams and her Great Song of 1984, (and anyone who has ever played Rusty in the musical "Footloose" (I'm looking at you, Emily Kassera and Shannen Paige Murphy. ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI7YHZVc7mM

Tomorrow: A Red Hat...