Top 10 Strictly Professional Dances
Just as I promised in my last post, under the cut are my top 10 dances performed by professionals on Strictly Come Dancing since I started watching it in 2008.
#10:
Dancers: Natalie Lowe, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas, Brendan Cole, Matthew Cutler, Ian Waite
Dance Style: Latin
Music: "1 Thing" by Amerie/"Girls" by the Sugababes
My comments: The introduction dances for the new pros are a big thing in the world of Strictly, and for good reason - a large amount of the regular viewers have no real interest in the world of professional dancing outside of Strictly, and therefore will not have heard of the new pros before. Also, most returning viewers will probably have opinions on the returning pros - people having favourite pros is just as common as having favourite celebs. What the show needs in this situation is a quick and easy way to give the viewers an idea of what these new pros are like.
Key ingredients are personality (in this case, all three girls can be seen as being strong and feisty, but each also has their own little quirks) and skill (both in being able to be in sync with others, and dancing in their own personal style).
Every time I hear the song "Girls", I tend to think of this dance. Or, occasionally, adverts for Boots. But mostly this dance.
#9:
Dancers: Artem Chigvintsev, Jared Murillo, Robin Windsor, Kristina Rihanoff, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas
Dance Style: Paso Doble
Music: "Live And Let Die" by Paul McCartney
My comments: Like #10, but this one has capes.
Strictly has a history of using capes in Pasos. While doing a good and high scoring Paso without a cape is more than possible, most will involve one at some point. This is because they are massive crowd pleasers when used correctly, as correct usage of the cape can be massively dramatic. It makes sense that they'd make an appearance in the introduction of three male pros - they bring extra drama and excitement to the dance, while also allowing the focus to remain on the male dancers by not having them dance with their female partners for a longer amount of time.
#8:
Dancers: Artem Chigvintsev, Brendan Cole, Natalie Lowe, Jared Murillo, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas
Dance Style: Jive
Music: "Lets Go Crazy" by Prince
My comments: THEY'RE DANCING ON CHAIRS, WHAT THE HELL. I can barely stand on a chair without falling off it.
No, seriously, I can't.
Other than that, this dance looks like it was the most fun to do, and I am such a sucker for fun dances.
#7:
Dancers: Brendan Cole, Matthew Cutler, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas
Dance Style: Foxtrot
Music: "Time Is Running Out" by Muse
My comments: Just like how I love classical instruments in rock music and salt with chocolate, I absolutely adore it when dances are done to songs that, at first thought, don't seem like the kind of song that you'd do that dance to - but when you look past the musical style, you realise that the rhythm, the beat is perfect. This works so very well.
#6:
Dancers: Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone
Dance Style: Argentine Tango
Music: Unknown
My comments: Any time Flavia and Vincent do a Tango on this show is a treat. I could have chosen any of them - I love them all equally - but this one (for me) shows them off to their best.
#5:
Dancers: Darren Bennett, Shem Jacobs, Crystal Main, Tanya Perera, Aneta Piotrowska, Ian Waite
Dance Style: Rock 'n Roll
Music: "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here to Stay" by Danny and the Juniors, "Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry, "Shake, Rattle And Roll" by Bill Haley.
My comments: Oh showdancers, please come back, I miss you. There was not a single one of their dances that I didn't enjoy, but for this one everything was perfect - the dancing, the outfits, the set, the music. Absolutely brilliant.
#4:
Dancers: Erin Boag, Anton du Beke, Flavia Cacace, Artem Chigvintsev, Jared Murillo, Vincent Simone, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas
Dance Style: Various
Music: Ghostbusters
My comments: There aren't even words for this one. Sorry.
#3:
Dancers: Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova
Dance Style: Swing
Music: "Wild Young Hearts" from the Noisettes
My comments: While this is a great dance, where everything (the dance, the music, the outfits, the lights) ties together wonderfully, what really makes it for me is how adorable Darren and Lilia are together. I swear, they are the most adorable couple to ever take to the Strictly dancefloor. And this dance is so them! *hearts*
#2:
Dancers: Artem Chigvintsev, Brendan Cole, Matthew Cutler, James Jordan, Robin Windsor
Dance Style: Paso Doble
Music: "Supermassive Black Hole" by Muse
My comments: And so started the tradition of the Strictly Annual Eyeliner Festival (AKA the Strictly Halloween Special).
You're probably surprised that this isn't at #1. I'm surprised that it isn't, and it's my list. It probably says a lot about me, but when this was danced on the programme, a friend of mine sent me a text to make sure I was watching it. What can I say - I have a thing for people wearing eyeliner.
But while we could talk about the fanservice all day (fit shirtless guys - check; eyeliner - check; capes - check!), you have to admit, there's some good dancing in there.
#1:
Dancers: Flavia Cacace, Artem Chigvintsev, James Jordan, Vincent Simone, Robin Windsor
Dance Style: Tango
Music: "Sweet Dreams" by Beyoncé Knowles
My comments: I have so many feelings about this dance, but absolutely no words to explain them. Absolutely breathtaking.
Special Mention
Dancers: Artem Chigvintsev and James Jordan
Dance Style: Rumba
Music: "Samba Pa Ti" by Carlos Santana
My comments: This isn't an actual dance, but I couldn't really leave it out. James Jordan does not mess around when there is a rumba to be done.
Zip file of all videos in this post.
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#10:
Click to viewDancers: Natalie Lowe, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas, Brendan Cole, Matthew Cutler, Ian Waite
Dance Style: Latin
Music: "1 Thing" by Amerie/"Girls" by the Sugababes
My comments: The introduction dances for the new pros are a big thing in the world of Strictly, and for good reason - a large amount of the regular viewers have no real interest in the world of professional dancing outside of Strictly, and therefore will not have heard of the new pros before. Also, most returning viewers will probably have opinions on the returning pros - people having favourite pros is just as common as having favourite celebs. What the show needs in this situation is a quick and easy way to give the viewers an idea of what these new pros are like.
Key ingredients are personality (in this case, all three girls can be seen as being strong and feisty, but each also has their own little quirks) and skill (both in being able to be in sync with others, and dancing in their own personal style).
Every time I hear the song "Girls", I tend to think of this dance. Or, occasionally, adverts for Boots. But mostly this dance.
#9:
Dancers: Artem Chigvintsev, Jared Murillo, Robin Windsor, Kristina Rihanoff, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas
Dance Style: Paso Doble
Music: "Live And Let Die" by Paul McCartney
My comments: Like #10, but this one has capes.
Strictly has a history of using capes in Pasos. While doing a good and high scoring Paso without a cape is more than possible, most will involve one at some point. This is because they are massive crowd pleasers when used correctly, as correct usage of the cape can be massively dramatic. It makes sense that they'd make an appearance in the introduction of three male pros - they bring extra drama and excitement to the dance, while also allowing the focus to remain on the male dancers by not having them dance with their female partners for a longer amount of time.
#8:
Dancers: Artem Chigvintsev, Brendan Cole, Natalie Lowe, Jared Murillo, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas
Dance Style: Jive
Music: "Lets Go Crazy" by Prince
My comments: THEY'RE DANCING ON CHAIRS, WHAT THE HELL. I can barely stand on a chair without falling off it.
No, seriously, I can't.
Other than that, this dance looks like it was the most fun to do, and I am such a sucker for fun dances.
#7:
Dancers: Brendan Cole, Matthew Cutler, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas
Dance Style: Foxtrot
Music: "Time Is Running Out" by Muse
My comments: Just like how I love classical instruments in rock music and salt with chocolate, I absolutely adore it when dances are done to songs that, at first thought, don't seem like the kind of song that you'd do that dance to - but when you look past the musical style, you realise that the rhythm, the beat is perfect. This works so very well.
#6:
Dancers: Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone
Dance Style: Argentine Tango
Music: Unknown
My comments: Any time Flavia and Vincent do a Tango on this show is a treat. I could have chosen any of them - I love them all equally - but this one (for me) shows them off to their best.
#5:
Dancers: Darren Bennett, Shem Jacobs, Crystal Main, Tanya Perera, Aneta Piotrowska, Ian Waite
Dance Style: Rock 'n Roll
Music: "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here to Stay" by Danny and the Juniors, "Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry, "Shake, Rattle And Roll" by Bill Haley.
My comments: Oh showdancers, please come back, I miss you. There was not a single one of their dances that I didn't enjoy, but for this one everything was perfect - the dancing, the outfits, the set, the music. Absolutely brilliant.
#4:
Dancers: Erin Boag, Anton du Beke, Flavia Cacace, Artem Chigvintsev, Jared Murillo, Vincent Simone, Aliona Vilani, Katya Virshilas
Dance Style: Various
Music: Ghostbusters
My comments: There aren't even words for this one. Sorry.
#3:
Dancers: Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova
Dance Style: Swing
Music: "Wild Young Hearts" from the Noisettes
My comments: While this is a great dance, where everything (the dance, the music, the outfits, the lights) ties together wonderfully, what really makes it for me is how adorable Darren and Lilia are together. I swear, they are the most adorable couple to ever take to the Strictly dancefloor. And this dance is so them! *hearts*
#2:
Dancers: Artem Chigvintsev, Brendan Cole, Matthew Cutler, James Jordan, Robin Windsor
Dance Style: Paso Doble
Music: "Supermassive Black Hole" by Muse
My comments: And so started the tradition of the Strictly Annual Eyeliner Festival (AKA the Strictly Halloween Special).
You're probably surprised that this isn't at #1. I'm surprised that it isn't, and it's my list. It probably says a lot about me, but when this was danced on the programme, a friend of mine sent me a text to make sure I was watching it. What can I say - I have a thing for people wearing eyeliner.
But while we could talk about the fanservice all day (fit shirtless guys - check; eyeliner - check; capes - check!), you have to admit, there's some good dancing in there.
#1:
Dancers: Flavia Cacace, Artem Chigvintsev, James Jordan, Vincent Simone, Robin Windsor
Dance Style: Tango
Music: "Sweet Dreams" by Beyoncé Knowles
My comments: I have so many feelings about this dance, but absolutely no words to explain them. Absolutely breathtaking.
Special Mention
Dancers: Artem Chigvintsev and James Jordan
Dance Style: Rumba
Music: "Samba Pa Ti" by Carlos Santana
My comments: This isn't an actual dance, but I couldn't really leave it out. James Jordan does not mess around when there is a rumba to be done.
Zip file of all videos in this post.
comments | reply