For better or worse (probably worse), my main association with this song is that scene in Dirty Dancing. Not being a 35-45 year old woman, I don’t consider Dirty Dancing a cultural touchstone of great importance. It was an enjoyable but truly ridiculous movie with some memorable dialogue. Nobody puts Baby in the corner, indeed.
This song plays the first time Baby (Jennifer Grey) happens upon the titular activity. She walks into a packed dance hall, watermelon in hand, and sees dozens of couples performing dance moves that would get them arrested in a majority of these United States. And this is in 1963!
Then Patrick Swayze’s Johnny Castle walks in the room, shirt unbuttoned down to his navel, and dances with his partner so sexily that every woman around him is instantly impregnated. Baby, of course, falls hard, and thus begins the summer that will be… you called it, the time of her life (and she owes it all to him).
Here’s the scene on YouTube, if you’re interested. Scary fact of the day… Dirty Dancing came out 22 years ago.
Listening to this song apart from the movie, I’m struck by what a great tune it is. This is a fine example of that Motown sound firing on all cylinders. I couldn’t have told you that The Contours sang this if you’d put a gun to my head. Indeed, it was their only hit. I wonder what they think of Dirty Dancing.
‘Cause I couldn’t dance
You didn’t even want me around
And now I’m back, to let you know
I can really shake ’em down
Do you love me? (I can really move)
Do you love me? (I’m in the groove)
Ah do you love? (Do you love me)
Now that I can dance (dance)
Watch me now, oh (work, work)
Ah, work it all baby (work, work)
Well, you’re drivin’ me crazy (work, work)
With a little bit of soul now (work)
I can mash-potato (I can mash-potato)
And I can do the twist (I can do the twist)
Now tell me baby (tell me baby)
Mmm, do you like it like this (do you like it like this)
Tell me (tell me)
Tell me
Do you love me? (Do you love me)
Now, do you love me? (Do you love me)
Now, do you love me? (Do you love me)
Now that I can dance (dance)
Watch me now, oh (work, work)
Ah, shake it up, shake it (work, work)
Ah, shake ’em, shake ’em down (work, work)
Ah, little bit of soul now (work)
(work, work)
Ah, shake it, shake it baby (work, work)
Ah, you’re driving me crazy (work, work)
Ah, don’t get lazy (work)
I can mash-potato (I can mash-potato)
And I can do the twist (I can do the twist)
Well now tell me baby (tell me baby)
Mmm, do you like it like this (do you like it like this)
Tell me (tell me)
Tell me
Do you love me? (Do you love me?)
Now, do you love me? (Do you love me?)
Now, do you love me? (Do you love me?)
(Now, now, now)
(work, work)
Ah, I’m working hard baby (work, work)
Well, you’re driving me crazy (work, work)
And don’t you get lazy (work)
(work, work)
Ah, hey hey baby (work, work)
Well, you’re driving me crazy (work, work)
And don’t you get lazy (work)
Meet Me In Montauk 
(in Beavis and Butthead voice) Titular….uh, er. he he he, Titular. Good one!
Anyway, I never really got into Dirty Dancing (the dancing or the movie), but lord knows Amy (and I’m sure Heather, Kerrie and most other women now over the age of 35) just adore this movie, I’m sure you have made their day.:)
Ridiculous movie?! Are you out of your mind? It is absolutely a cultural touchstone, as evidenced by this clip I’m including for your enjoyment (though Kerrie is probably the only one who will enjoy it as much as we do 🙂
How I Met Your Mother – Dirty Doogie | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com
“Damn you, Swayze” 🙂 And thank you, Swayze. And The Contours. And the rest of the participants who created this perfectly wonderful film.
I know I’m a bit old to be saying this, but I loved the movie and the dancing 🙂
‘She’s Like the Wind’ surfaces in the film we saw last night as well. Damn you, Swayze!
We’re seeing it today (i’m assuming we’re talking 500 Days?) We saw Funny People last night. Very good.
Yep. And we’re seeing Funny People tonight. We can compare notes.
What did Johnny Castle see in Baby anyway. I loved the movie at the time, but she’s sort of a twit. I totally see why she’s in love with him, but he’s what, a 30 year old guy? Why is he at all attracted to this mousy teenager?
She’s “not afraid of anything!” Don’t you remember?!! 🙂
Let’s face it – he loves the way he appears in her eyes. That’s probably rather intoxicating. That and the fact that she’s forbidden as one of the “guests.”
Surely you jest, dear sir! “Dirty Dancing” is, as Amy exemplifies through her “clip o’ the day,” legend- wait for it – ary! I can’t even begin to count the number of times we watched this movie during high school. And guess what, my mom was the first one to suggest it for repeat viewing (you’re in good company, Aunt Peg).
As far as the song, I don’t know it apart from the movie either. Somehow, that’s enough. 🙂