If you are a fan of the classic 1987 movie Dirty Dancing, you must have heard the iconic song She’s Like The Wind by Patrick Swayze. The emotional ballad, which Patrick co-wrote with Stacy Widelitz, plays during the heart-rending scene where Johnny (Patrick Swayze) and Baby (Jennifer Grey) have their final dance at the end of the movie.
The song has played a key role in the movie’s success and has left millions of viewers entranced with its haunting melody and romantic lyrics. In this post, we will explore the story behind She’s Like The Wind and break down the mystery around the song that still intrigues fans to this day.
Patrick Swayze- The Man Behind The Song
Before delving into the song itself, let’s talk a bit about Patrick Swayze- the man behind the music. While most know him as an incredible actor who starred in Ghost, Point Break, and, of course, Dirty Dancing, few know that he was also a talented musician.
In 1991, Swayze released his album Wasteland, a collection of songs he co-wrote, sang, and played guitar on. The album didn’t make a big impact at the time but later gained a cult following. What’s impressive about Swayze’s music career is that he never lost his passion for creating and performing music even when his acting career was booming.
The Making Of She’s Like The Wind
Now, let’s focus on the song. Swayze co-wrote She’s Like The Wind in 1984 with Stacy Widelitz, a songwriter and musician. The song was reportedly written in just a few hours and was inspired by one of Patrick’s past loves- his wife, Lisa Niemi Swayze.
In an interview, Widelitz said: I put my sax down, and he sang the melody to me. I said, ‘Wow, that’s really beautiful.’ He said, ‘It’s kind of about my girl. My wife. She’s like the wind, she’s always there, but she’s just out of reach.’
The song was first released on the 1987 Dirty Dancing soundtrack and was also featured on Swayze’s 1991 album. It became an immediate hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helping to sell over 11 million copies of the Dirty Dancing album.
The music video for She’s Like The Wind features clips from the movie and footage of Patrick Swayze singing and playing guitar in a studio. It’s a simple yet captivating video that emphasizes the emotional power of the song.
The Mysterious Saxophone Player
One of the most mysterious aspects of She’s Like The Wind is the identity of the saxophone player who performed the iconic sax riff in the song. Despite many rumors, it has been confirmed that it was not Patrick Swayze who played the saxophone on the record.
The sax player was a session musician by the name of Phil Kenzie. Kenzie had worked with many famous artists, including Rod Stewart and The Beatles, and his saxophone skills added a layer of melancholic beauty to the song.
The Rumor About The Real Singer
Another mystery that has plagued the song since its release is about who really sang it. Many believe that it was not Patrick Swayze but a female singer who remained anonymous. According to this theory, Swayze was too self-conscious about his singing voice and chose to have someone else record his vocal track.
However, this rumor has been debunked. We can be sure that Patrick did sing the vocals in She’s Like The Wind. Swayze’s singing voice was raw, husky, and emotive- perfect for this kind of heartfelt song.
Did Patrick Swayze Write She’s Like The Wind?
Many fans also question whether Patrick Swayze was the sole writer of She’s Like The Wind or if there was a ghostwriter involved. The answer is that Swayze co-wrote the song with Stacy Widelitz.
Widelitz had worked with Swayze on previous music projects and had a good understanding of his vision and style. The two collaborated on several songs, and She’s Like The Wind was just one of them.
Conclusion
She’s Like The Wind is a timeless love song that captures the listener’s attention from the very first note. The combination of Patrick Swayze’s raw vocals, Stacy Widelitz’s captivating melody, and Phil Kenzie’s moody sax riff turned it into an instant classic.
The rumors and mysteries around the song only add to its allure, making it an enigma that still fascinates music lovers and Dirty Dancing fans to this day. From watching Patrick Swayze perform it in the movie to searching for Patrick Swayze She’s Like The Wind videos on Youtube, this song continues to captivate people all over the world.