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September 19, 2007

into the groove

Posted by dogpossum on September 19, 2007 8:22 PM in the category music

Perhaps my very favourite song on Madonna's Immaculate Collection is "Get into the Groove".
Why do I love it? Let me count the ways.

1. 'Get into the groove' is a euphemism for literally 'getting into' a woman's vagina, but also an invitation to get up and dance, get yourself into the vibe. I like the physical invitation of both versions.

2. I like the spoken opening line:

And you can dance... for inspiration

I like the thought of Madonnna ordering her boy onto the floor, demanding that he dance - for her musical (and sexual) inspiration. And if he can't work it, he ain't gettin' no interest from her. You can't help but read Madonna as a text - think of that film clip for 'Material Girl'. Sure, we all reference Marilyn, but it's also a story about Madonna, and her spectacular gender play. Sultry, diamond-and-pink encrusted diva? Yes. Leatherette? Yes. Super-athlete? Yes. Her continually reinvigorated and reworked public persona offered a super-cool (and Madonna always was terribly chic) woman to pretend to be, or a series of female identies we could play with - put on and take off. And even though the film In Bed with Madonna invited us to watch the 'real' Madonna, it was quite clear that this was really just another performance - another costume.

3. The 115bpm tempo is just perfect for the all-night-long disco dancing I used to adore. But it has a spunky double time electronic drum thing happening as well, for when you want to bust out.
Those were the days - when 120bpm felt fast. And I knew how to dance Without Rules.

4. The line

Get up on your feet, yeah, Step to the beat

is lovely to say.

5. I was eleven in 1985 and didn't really understand what Maddona was singing about. I knew it had something to do with boys and kissing and possibly sex, but mostly I thought she was challenging him to a dance-off. And I just knew she'd kick his arse (because that's what she does).

6. The bit in the film Desperately Seeking Susan where Madonna invites that bloke onto the dance floor was the very best. In fact, Susan/Madonna was the very best character.

7. And Desperately Seeking Susan was the very best film. There've been quite a few articles written about the way women feel about that film, and about the way it invites a female gaze and is, really, constructed for female audiences. Sure, Madonna's struttin' it for the blokes on-screen, but we all know that she's really workin' it for the sisters. For Rosanna Arquette, and really, most of all, for all those women who are checking her out. Remember that bit in the ladies' room where she's drying her armpits with the hand dryer? That's for the ladies.

8. The Immaculate Collection is the very best Madonna greatest hits collection. I was given it for Christmas - a double LP with some seriously fabulous art and lift out bits. I'm looking at it right now.
This was released round about the time her Sex book was published (and banned in Queensland - so a couple of gay male mates of mine had to travel to Sydney to get it so we could pore over the images, wondering if it was all staged or real), and the collection features 'Justify my love' and 'Rescue Me'.
I also own the album on CD.

I played it so many times that Christmas I feared for its grooves. :)

Into The Groove ~ Madonna
And you can dance...for inspiration,
Come on...I'm waiting

CHORUS
Get into the groove, Boy you've got to prove
Your love to me, yeah
Get up on your feet, yeah, Step to the beat
Boy what will it be
Music can be such a revelation
Dancing around you feel the sweet sensation
We might be lovers if the rhythm's right
I hope this feeling never ends tonight
Only when I'm dancing can I feel this free
At night I lock the doors, where no one else can see
I'm tired of dancing here all by myself
Tonight I wanna dance with someone else

CHORUS

Gonna get to know you in a special way
This doesn't happen to me every day
Don't try to hide it love wears no disguise
I see the fire burning in your eyes
Only when I'm dancing can I feel this free
At night I lock the doors, where no one else can see
I'm tired of dancing here all by myself
Tonight I wanna dance with someone else

CHORUS

Live out your fantasy here with me, Just let the music set you free
Touch my body, and move in time, Now I now you're mine
You've got to......PIANO LEAD
Live out your fantasy here with me, Just let the music set you free
Touch my body, and move in time, Now I now you're mine

CHORUS 2X

Get into the groove, Boy you've got to prove
Your love to me, yeah
Get up on your feet, yeah, Step to the beat
Boy what will it be

Posted by dogpossum on September 19, 2007 8:22 PM in the category music