I'm a senior in high school now and I remember when grinding was first the "new thing". It was around 7th grade when I first saw it, and I thought, "That doesn't take a lot of effort or expertise."
Two nights ago was my senior prom (I love dances!), and I saw many people freak dancing, which is natural now. Many of my friends came to the dance as well, and we all share the same taste in music. Soon, we gave the DJ a CD, and had him play "Zoot Suit Riot" from the Cherry Poppin' Daddies. Soon, most of the dance floor cleared out, and there were only 20 out of 100 (or so) people that attended who knew how dance swing. Fortunately, I was one of them.
I've been trained how to dance tango, salsa, ball room, 50's rock, and of course, swing. I tell you, it feels phenomenal when you're doing all of these dance movements that these hip-hop grinders can't do. My friend, who absolutely abhors freak dancing, said afterward, "We turned from sweaty gorillas rubbing up against each other to totally slick swing cats." I don't mean to offend anyone. I just want to put spark into this discussion.
That was the only swing song, or any genre that wasn't hip-hop or newly branded hip-hop played that night. Still, that single song was worth the $75 ticket and my date being mad at me (I danced with one of my girl friends who LOVES swing).
Whatever happened to the twist, the jitterbug, the charleston, and the hand-jive? Are there others like me out there who still live out and love the graceful dance steps? Are there people who find the classics "lame" and unfulfilling? Are there secret places out there that keep the big band ways alive?
I know how to grind, and I do it rather well. I love hip hop dancing, the sort that you'd see on Usher's video. I love pop dancing (like Michael Jackson), but I'd rather hear YOUR opinion.
I personally feel the same way. I just had my Junior Prom a few weeks ago and everyone was doing the same thing. I had to head outside because it was getting a little ridiculous. I hate grinding. I do, though, love and enjoy the graceful steps of swing and older dances. Those who cannot do which you can is a remarkable feeling. I love older songs and dances compared to these "rappers" and how they "express" their feelings. It just annoys me. Where did the real singing go? Where did all of the lovely dances you could enjoy with a date go? I would love to dance with someone to something like the Charleston, but no one knows it. Therefore, I am forced to dance by myself and just tap to the beat. I feel that these songs are unfulfilling, not the older ones. It just gets me mad when I know that there is beautiful and catchy music out there that no one enjoys.