Dance Spotlight: 'Feet Don't Fail Me Now' by Peter Metelnick
This week's choice of dance for 'Dance Spotlight' was inspired by Jamie Barnfield's Boogie Shoes Bootcamp class I attended this week in which he is going over some of the golden oldies. 'Feet Don't fail me now' was one of these dances and one that has long been on my own personal list of 'dances-I've-been-meaning-to-learn-but-not-got-round-to' (I think we all have one of those lists), anyway I jumped at the chance to learn it and thought it would be perfect as the first of the classic or retro dances I will be reviewing.
Feet Don't Fail Me Now
Dance information:
68 Count
Intermediate Dance
Music: Hillbilly Shoes by Montgomery Gentry
Choreographed by Peter Metelnick
Download the Script
Review
This dance has been around for a while and has been regularly featured on Live Laugh Linedance so I was quite keen to have a go at it as it always looks like quite good fun and I can tell you that it was.The dance has applejacks in - something that very few dances have making this dance quite a unique one. Applejacks are a fairly tricky step and something I've not yet mastered myself. I think they go really well to the music on this one though and so I'm determined to get these right.
The steps go really well to the music on this one to the point where you can hear the steps in the music which is great if you happen to go wrong as it allows you to pick the dance back up and carry on.
This dance has a really great country vibe to it - this feels (and looks) more like traditional line dancing with the scuff hitch step but with this dance this is a great thing and I think it showcases some of the best of line dancing.
Personally, I really enjoy the vaudeville steps, they seem to work really well in the dance and to the music and I look forward to that part of the dance and unlike the applejacks I can do them too.
The dance has some dramatic moments which can catch you out including an unusual 12 count tag and a hold towards the end, you can hear the tag and the hold isn't too difficult to catch in the music so with a bit of practice I hope to have them both down to a fine art in no time at all.
The dance is an intermediate but I think with moderation a high improver dancer might be able to pull most of this off. I think this is one of those that once you've got it that's it - it's just a case of perfecting it.
Watch the Dance
My Verdict
I really enjoyed doing this dance and also think it would be particularly good for dancing to at a social (especially with live music). I particularly enjoyed the vaudeville steps, montereys and applejacks as you rarely get a combination of all of these in one dance. I'm really looking forward to when I next get another opportunity to dance to this one. The music was fun to dance (and sing along to) and I feel like there is an element of going back to the country roots with both the dance and the music which is nice as so many of the dances we do now are to more upbeat modern and funky tracks.
I'm not sure how old this dance is as there was no date on either the Copperknob or Linedancer script but I know its been going at least a good 8 years and it really has stood the test of time. I also think this one is going to stick around a lot longer and chances are it will still be around in another 8 years. Its currently 28th in the old favourites chart on Linedancer and when you consider the other dances it is up against that is really impressive.
What are your thoughts on this one? Have you done it? Would you like to? Please comment below if you wish.
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