I had one heck of a time deciding on a song to play tonight!  Everything that popped into my head I had already played recently, or within the last two years, and while I really wanted some Stevie Wonder to sooth my frayed nerves, ’twasn’t to be.  I think having had some 4 hours of being under a tornado watch, the kitties all in hiding due to prolonged bouts of wind and thunder, has made it hard for me to think!  So far, no sirens though, and we still have electricity … touch wood!

This was co-written by Franke Previte of Franke And The Knockouts, who hit #10 with Sweetheart in 1981, but by 1986 was without a recording contract. In late 1986 or early 1987, producer and head of Millennium Records, Jimmy Ienner, asked Previte about writing some music for “a little movie called Dirty Dancing”.  Previte initially turned the request down because he was still trying to get a record deal, but Ienner was persistent, and got Previte to write several songs for the film, including Hungry Eyes, later recorded by singer Eric Carmen, which also became a top 10 hit.

Previte wrote the lyrics, and the music was written by John DeNicola and Don Markowitz.

The song was initially intended for Donna Summer and Joe Esposito, but Summer turned it down because she didn’t like the title of the film. Bill Medley was approached by Jimmy Ienner repeatedly over two months to do the recording, but he also turned it down because his daughter McKenna was due to be born, and he had promised his wife he would be there. After the birth of his daughter, Medley was approached again, because Jennifer Warnes had indicated she would record the song if she could do the duet with Medley. Medley then agreed to record the track. With the release of the film it became a worldwide hit, and is one of the most frequently played songs on radio.

The song has won a number of awards, including an Academy Award for “Best Original Song”, a Golden Globe Award for “Best Original Song”, and a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life
Jennifer Warnes, Bill Medley

Now I’ve had the time of my life
No, I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you

‘Cause I’ve had the time of my life
And I owe it all to you

I’ve been waiting for so long
Now I’ve finally found someone to stand by me
We saw the writing on the wall
And we felt this magical fantasy
Now with passion in our eyes
There’s no way we could disguise it secretly
So we take each others hand
‘Cause we seem to understand the urgency

Just remember
You’re the one thing
I can’t get enough of
So I’ll tell you something
This could be love

Because I’ve had the time of my life
No, I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you
Hey baby

With my body and soul
I want you more than you’ll ever know
So we’ll just let it go
Don’t be afraid to lose control, no

Yes, I know what’s on your mind when you say
“Stay with me tonight” (stay with me)
And remember
You’re the one thing
I can’t get enough of
So I’ll tell you something
This could be love

Because I’ve had the time of my life
No, I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you
‘Cause I’ve had the time of my life
And I’ve searched through every open door (never felt this way)
Till I found the truth
And I owe it all to you

Now I’ve had the time of my life
No, I never felt this way before (never felt this way)
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you

I’ve had the time of my life
No, I never felt this way before (never felt this way)
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you
‘Cause I’ve had the time of my life (I had time of my life)
And I’ve searched through every open door (you do it to me, baby)
Till I found the truth (you do it to me, baby)
And I owe it all to you

Songwriters: John De Nicola / Donald Markowitz / Frank Previte
(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Worldsong Inc