I look at you by Miley Cyrus
Style: 4 beat, Viennese Waltz or Lyrical
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Although this first dance song is quite old now (It was released over 10 years ago), I have just been asked to choreograph a wedding dance for it by a couple who have travelled down from Oxfordshire to have dance lessons with me.
This is another first dance song which has a very good Viennese Waltz beat that remains clear for the entire song; meaning that couples with no dance experience, or those who struggle with rhythm can use this song for their first dance quite easily.
The structure of the song is also perfect for wedding dance lessons; it begins with a 24 second introductory section where you can still hear the beat. This is an ideal place to learn an introduction to your first dance – this could be a walk onto the dance floor and dancing some underarm turns, or even a small, but quick lift.
Then the first verse starts, again still quite mellow as the main beat hasn’t kicked in yet. This is an ideal section to learn to dance some shadow dancing figures (usually taken from the Samba and American Smooth Waltz) before the first chorus at 56 seconds where the main beat starts. This would be where I would teach the main Viennese Waltz – arguably the most elegant of all the ballroom dances, and my most requested dance style for wedding dance lessons and ballroom dancing lessons in general.
However, the Viennese Waltz is also one of the hardest dances to master because it is so fast, but the beat for this particular song is slightly slower, meaning that you can absolutely learn to dance the Viennese Waltz for your wedding dance.
At 1 minute 38 seconds, the second verse kicks in, which is more mellow than the chorus, so I would choreograph some lighter and easier dance moves in to recover from the difficult Viennese Waltz section during the first chorus.
Then at 2 minutes 9 seconds the second chorus starts, which is just as upbeat and powerful as the first, so you could dance some more elegant and swooping Viennese Waltz steps.
At 2:47, there is a little interlude, where you could end your first dance with a drop – which could be the signal for the rest of your guests to join you for the remainder of the song, or you can carry on until the end, simply repeating the sections you danced earlier i.e., the Viennese Waltz section or some shadow work.
I have listed the lyrics below, and she is singing about having someone she can always rely on when times are tough, which is very apt for a wedding dance as well as the reasons mentioned above.
I have started using this in my adult and children Ballroom and Latin dance lessons too as a really good introductory Viennese Waltz with a slightly slower beat.
Lyrics
Everybody needs inspiration Everybody needs a song A beautiful melody When the night's so long
'Cause there is no guarantee That this life is easy
Yeah, when my world is falling apart When there's no light to break up the dark That's when I, I I look at you
When the waves Are flooding the shore and I can't Find my way home anymore That's when I, I I look at you
When I look at you, I see forgiveness I see the truth You love me for who I am Like the stars hold the moon Right there where they belong And I know I'm not alone
Yeah, when my world is falling apart When there's no light to break up the dark That's when I, I I look at you
When the waves Are flooding the shore and I can't Find my way home anymore That's when I, I I look at you
You appear just like a dream to me Just like Kaleidoscope colours that Cover me, all I need Every breath that I breathe Don't you know you're beautiful?
Yeah, yeah, yeah
When the waves Are flooding the shore and I can't Find my way home anymore That's when I, I I look at you I look at you
You appear just like a dream To me
If you would like to sign up for professional and highly personalised lessons for your first dance, wedding dance, renewing your vows, anniversary or other special occasion, or you would like ballroom dancing or dancing lessons in general near you, email me on brightonandsussexdancelessons@gmail.com or call me on 07956 788 112. I look forward to your call.
Marcus Edwards
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