Strictly Cha Cha Music
The Cha Cha features a lot in the first week of each series of Strictly Come Dancing, with consistently more couples dancing this than any other dance style. This year we had 5 couples dancing a Cha Cha; accounting for a third of the couples competing; in 2016 there were actually 6 Cha Chas in week 1.
We’ve prepared a playlist from a selection of the best original recordings based on the music played for Cha Cha dancers in Week 1 over recent years.
Music from a wide range of genres is suitable for dancing the lively, playful, cheeky, fun Cha Cha; it’s definitely, a dance to “Get the Party Started”. The song, by this title sung by Pink (@32bpm) is an ideal way to start any Cha Cha playlist. There is also a cover version by Shirley Bassey.
As they say we’re – “Pumpin’ up the volume, breakin’ down’ to the beat”
Pata Pata sung by Miriam Makeba (@31bpm) is a perfect classic Cha Cha – a cheery dance number telling us that:
“Every Friday and Saturday Night It’s Pata Pata time
The dance keeps going all night long
Til’ the morning sun begins to shine”
Uptown Girl, originally by Billy Joel and the cover version by Westlife (both @32bpm) are both very good popular Cha Cha tunes.
We’ve chosen Lady Marmalade sung by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Lil’ Kim & Pink (@28bpm) from the musical film Moulin Rouge. The versions sung Labelle (@30bpm) and All Saints (@29bpm) are also good.
In recent years there were two songs originally sung by Tom Jones chosen for Cha Chas in Week 1: Kiss (@ 29bpm) sung by Art of Noise featuring Tom Jones, and She’s a Lady (@ 30bpm) sung by Tom Jones; both good for dancing.
Also selected for the playlist are:-
September; a disco classic by Earth, Wind & Fire (32bpm).
Loco In Acapulco sung by the Four Tops (@30bpm).
Don’t Start Now sung by Dua Lipa (@31bpm).
Ain’t No Love (Ain’t Not Use) sung by Sub Sub featuring Melanie Williams (@32bpm).
How Will I Know sung by Whitney Houston (@30bpm).
Beggin’ sung by Madcon (@32bpm); this song was also played in Week 2 a few years previously.
The Boss sung by Diana Ross (@31bpm).
Crush sung Jennifer Page (@29bpm).
Venus sung by Shocking Blue and the version by Bananarama (both @32bpm) keep the party in full swing.
Let’s Get Loud sung by Jennifer Lopez (@33bpm) is just a little bit faster; the music and lyrics are so appropriate for a party dance.
“Life’s a party, make it hot
Dance don’t ever stop, whatever rhythm”