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My Gen X Playlist: I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Morgan Harper Jones

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Daily writing prompt
What is the legacy you want to leave behind?
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I recently watched a Netflix movie. It was one of those hour and a half, made for streaming films that you don’t take too seriously and doesn’t sap an entire evening. The story included a woman with cancer throwing a living memorial so that she could say goodbye to her friends and family before she passed. Because she spent her life in the theatre, the memorial was Shakespearean themed and everyone performed on stage for her as their last goodbye. A song, a dance, a poem or performance of their choice. This was a very minor part of the storyline, but I liked the idea of it. It was so unique. Why not bring everyone together while living to say a proper goodbye. It’s an odd concept, but an interesting one as well.

I’ve never thought about my legacy. This prompt is the first time I’ve actually given it any thought, and it was momentary at best. I occasionally think about the years leading up to my last breath. My hope is that I am in relatively good health when that time comes. Maybe that’s what’s spurred the change in looking after my health in recent years. Not only do I want quality of life, I also don’t want to be a burden.

Along with health, I sometimes think about last goodbyes. I only started thinking about this since my father passed six years ago. We were busy thinking and worrying about his treatment in the hospital, we weren’t cognizant of what little time we had left. We were able to say goodbye, but he wasn’t awake to hear it. Somehow I’m sure we still got through.

The film had a few songs I recognized. Video Killed the Radio Star was a good one. So good, I’ve already included it on the playlist months ago. The other song I recognized was a cover of I Wanna Dance with Somebody. This is a unique acoustic cover by Morgan Harper Jones. This version took me by surprise, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. I hope you do, too.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

the clock strikes upon the hour, and the sun begins to fade
still enough time to figure out how to chase my blues away
i’ve been alright up to now, it’s the light of day that shows me how
when the night falls, my lonely heart calls

oh, i wanna dance with somebody
i wanna feel the heat with somebody
yeah, i wanna dance with somebody
with somebody who loves me

i’ve been in love and lost my senses, spinning through the town
sooner or later the fever ends, and i wind up feeling down
i need a man who’ll take a chance on a lovе that burns hot enough to last
when the night falls, my lonеly heart calls

oh, i wanna dance with somebody
i wanna feel the heat with somebody
yeah, i wanna dance with somebody
with somebody who loves me

don’t you wanna dance? do you wanna dance? don’t you wanna dance?
(oh, i wanna dance with somebody)
don’t you wanna dance? do you wanna dance? don’t you wanna dance?
(i wanna feel— dance with somebody)
don’t you wanna dance? do you wanna dance? don’t you wanna dance?
(yeah, i wanna dance with somebody)
with somebody who loves me

20 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Morgan Harper Jones”

  2. I definitely like this cover of the song better than the original.

    What was the name of the movie you watched? I agree that it would be a good idea to have a celebration of life before you die, just to say goodbye. The weeks before my Mom died, I was in denial. Instead of making the most of the time she had left, I chose to believe that her doctors would find another treatment to cure her. Now, I regret it.

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  4. I can’t listen to the song right now since I’m in a formal gathering surrounded by a bunch of people, but I do like Whitney’s version. I’ll listen to it later today.
    Sorry for your loss! I lost my dad in 2018. He had cancer. Could you please share with me the title of the movie?

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  6. A beautiful cover of the song; I was expecting Whitney’s vivacious version, and this really made me slow down and read the words. Well chosen for the topic and your response to it. The song is nicely recorded… on headphones the stereo separation is terrific.

    When I sat with Mum through her nights in the ICU, a nurse told me hearing is one of the last things to go. I am sure your father heard you.

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  7. I lost my Dad this year. It comes to all of us, I guess, but I’m still struggling with it. I was able to say goodbye, thank goodness, just not able to make him stay, which hurts. His health had deteriorated and he was no longer happy. He’s still here with me, though. I can actually feel him even more now than I did when he was alive. It’s weird, but I’m grateful.

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  8. i enjoyed hearing the rendition of whitney’s song. it’s a different take and i love how it’s slowed down so you can appreciate the words.

    sorry for your loss…they say that hearing is the last to go, so there’s a chance that perhaps he heard you before passing.

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    1. I remember watching the movie and thinking, “I know this song…”. Then it dawned on me it was Whitney. I appreciated the new take on it.

      Thanks for your thoughts. Losing a parent is difficult, especially one you’re really close to. But I learned loved ones never leave you. He is always with me.

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