1000 years by Christina Perri.
Around 10 years ago, I started receiving quite a few requests for first dance lessons for clients' weddings using this song.
I had no idea at the time, but it was because the movie saga ‘Twilight’ used it for one of the wedding scenes in those movies (I had no idea until I watched them recently)
If you are a fan of the movies or not, this song is a great choice for a first dance at your wedding. For similar reasons to the Corrs ‘Runaway’ in last week’s blog.
The big selling point for me is how clear the beat is and the fact that again, it is a slightly slower paced Viennese Waltz, which is the perfect dance style for first dances, but often too difficult due to traditional Viennese Waltz music (Strauss etc.) being way too fast for those with little or no dance experience.
Because it is slower, not only can you learn the Viennese Waltz for your first dance (Which is extremely popular), but I can add some nice open movements to your first dance; including lifts, drops and solo work, to create an elegant, romantic first dance for your wedding.
The structure is also ideal because, like the Corrs ‘Runaway’, it has a very clear verse, chorus, verse, chorus interlude structure, meaning that when you learn your first dance with me, I can use the beginnings and endings of these verses and choruses as ‘check points’ for you so you can keep on track with your routine if you get lost.
The transitions between each verse and chorus are also useful because they give you a chance to catch your breath.
It also builds quite nicely. The first verse she sings almost without any instruments (which is good place to add an introduction to your first dance) before the main beat kicks in and remains strong for the entire song so you can keep time easily.
It is a long song (over 4 minutes) and if you want to dance the whole track, you really need 6 months of lessons. However, because of the nice transitions between each verse and chorus (which feel like the song is ending) you can choose to end your first dance after 1 and a half minutes or 2- or 3-minutes in.
This means that those on the Emergency and bronze packages can still learn an elegant first dance routine to this song without having to dance the whole track.
Finally, the lyrics are very nice, with lines like ‘All along I believed I would find you’ and ‘I have died every day waiting for you’.
So, I would highly recommend giving this song a listen and seeing if it would be perfect for your first dance.
I have listed the lyrics below…
Heart beats fast Colours and promises How to be brave? How can I love when I'm afraid to fall? But watching you stand alone All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still Beauty in all she is I will be brave I will not let anything take away What's standing in front of me Every breath, every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you Time has brought your heart to me I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you Time has brought your heart to me I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more
If you would like to sign up for professional and highly personalised lessons for your wedding dance, email me on brightonandsussexdancelessons@gmail.com or call me on 07956 788 112. I look forward to your call.
Marcus Edwards
Comments