In defense of the “Footloose” soundtrack

For someone who realizes that it isn’t currently 1984, I listen to the Footloose soundtrack a lot. Well, it’s good running music. And good strutting around town music. And good sing at the top of your lungs when no one else is home music. Fine, I just like it. Whatever.

Anyway, that’s why I was totally excited when I heard on All Songs Considered that Doveman covered the entire Footloose soundtrack. (Doveman is a group driven mostly by keyboardist/vocalist Thomas Bartlett, who sounds a bit like an even more laidback version of Jose Gonzales.)

The cover project is an homage to his friend’s sister, who died very young in the 1980s. The idea was to capture the angst and wistfulness of being a teenager, according to their website. And the album does this beautifully, especially the covers of “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and “Almost Paradise.”

I liked the album a lot, but when I finished it, I headed out and put on my iPod. Deniece Williams’ original version of “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” popped up on shuffle. I picked up my pace and strutted off to the T*. And it felt so good.

Because of a cease-and-desist order, the album can’t be downloaded, but you can stream it here. Take a listen and let me know how wrong (or right) you think I am.

*The subway in Boston.

-Lauren in Boston (guestblogger)