So, I am working on a scene. It’s tension, history, anger, passionate love, memory and disregard all in one. If it were dances seen on dance shows, it’s got that spicy Latin energy. Like how a tango or a rumba tell stories without words? This scene? Has that in it. It also has all the wrong words to cover the things the characters desperately want to ask but want to hold out longer than the other person in this dance. Think bodies that remember how to rumba, emotions that tango with sharp clean movements, and words? Oh those words are on par with a paso doble. Except there might be better odds surviving a bull’s horns.

So, how do you hold out from emotionally bleeding your truths long enough for the other person to bleed theirs? And also, how do you survive a dance that requires closeness when at least one of you wishes to never touch again? Because we’ve already seen the electricity in a different moment.

This is a battle of wills and who can touch the fire the longest without burning.

This whole month might be this search for the right tone to hear in my head to then translate to words and actions. Because, when words fail and you can’t say it out loud? Try to throw your lovely opponent off balance, because, if you fall, the dance is over, right?

Do I need something revival like? The cha cha here is more modern, playful, speaks of mixing history and the present. But, it’s more the sound the pair would present to those watching. Not the sound that is them. It’s in the playlist for context, not for constant repeating when in the zone.

Cha Cha – Chelo

What about the Mambo everyone remembers? Totally cheekily points out a fact in the story. There’s a bit of a joke in how many women were the rock star’s girlfriend. When they can’t recall the name, they mention the number in the list and someone recalls the name. Because they were not all serious relationships, just things that made the papers and others that only lasted a month or two.

Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega

We need something a bit more neutral, this dance isn’t going to pick a side or add to the judgement. It has to inspire the mood, not make one of the characters more angry (because I may or may not be teasing about that bull goring being an easier pain to take) It needs to tease history and memories. Still have that urge to dance, just like a Santana tune is good for.

The Game Of Love – Santana ft. Michelle Branch

Here we have something with that hard stomping strong battle mindset. Bonus points for keeping that harder rock tone too, helps slip into the scene, not just the mood. It’s two battles at once- the his side, with confusion and pain and a need to make her crack first. Her’s? Restraint is needed to survive the moment, masks of good footwork to control the anger at him picking this place, this moment, locking her into a very public version of what should be a private emotional battlefield. There is no running, hiding or slipping in a room full of people watching your chemistry sneak back into a conversation about 5 years overdue.

Uprising – Muse

But, at the end of the day, this is the Soulful world. That jukebox is a master class all it’s own, and no matter what story is told, what mood is happening, that jukebox is a part of your story. Often times, the ghosts and shadows help you along with a track that boosts your chance at romance. Moreso than your fancy footwook.

Old 45’s – Chromeo