Country Mike Blog

Memory Lane Mondays: Footloose remake goes country

Mike Sudhalter  |  September 27, 2011

Blake Shelton sings the title track for the remake of "Footloose," which hits theaters on Oct. 14

So, a lot has changed since 1984 when Kevin Bacon danced into America's hearts with "Footloose."

Kenny Loggins recorded the soundtrack for that movie, and while it was set in a rural area, few would associate the iconic 1980's film with Country Music.

I was actually more entertained by The JaneDear Girls version of "Footloose," than Shelton's. Still, NOBODY will ever touch Loggins' original version.

But the fact that there's several Country artists on the new Footloose soundtrack tells us two things - (1) the music from that era may now be considered country, (2) country has become closer to the movie in the original "Footloose."

Essentially, the genres have met in the middle.

One thing I always like to hear is a country artist's spin on a pop or rock song. Sometimes, it's good. Sometimes, it's bad. But I always like to hear it. Occasionally, I'll try to countrify a song when I'm singing it at home.

Shelton's version of "Footloose" is pretty good, but it wasn't as interesting as country newcomer Jana Kramer's version of "Let's Hear It From The Boy," originally an R&B hit for Deniece Williams.

Who can forget the scene where Ren teaches Willard how to dance?

Ella Mae Bowen's "Holding Out For A Hero" is totally acoustic, with a much different arrangement than Bonnie Tyler's rocking version.

And Bravo to country newcomers Hunter Hayes and Victoria Justice for their strong cover of Ann Wilson/Mike Reno's classic ballad, "Almost Paradise."

I've ALWAYS wanted to hear a pair of country artists record that gem of a song.

Interesting enough, there's an alternative rock version of the Hank Williams Sr. tune, "Kaw-Liga" by Phil X. That's gotta be the most random song on this soundtrack.