About the song
“She’s Like the Wind,” performed by Patrick Swayze with additional vocals by Wendy Fraser, stands as an iconic ballad from 1987, featured on the soundtrack of the beloved film Dirty Dancing. Co-written by Swayze and Stacy Widelitz in 1984, the song originally targeted the soundtrack of another film but found its home in Dirty Dancing during its production in 1987. The narrative of its creation is intertwined with the film’s genesis, illustrating a serendipitous alignment that would catapult both the song and the movie to global acclaim.
The genesis of “She’s Like the Wind” dates back to its rejection from an earlier film, Youngblood, as recounted by actor Rob Lowe on The Joe Rogan Experience in 2020. Despite this setback, Swayze’s persistence in showcasing the song to the producers of Dirty Dancing paid off. Linda Gottlieb and Emile Ardolino, deeply moved by the song’s demo, facilitated its inclusion in the film’s soundtrack, where it became a standout track resonating with audiences worldwide.
Recorded in November 1986 under the production of Michael Lloyd, the song’s gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics struck a chord, climbing to number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and securing the top spot on the Adult Contemporary chart. Its success was mirrored by the film’s soundtrack, which dominated charts for an impressive 18 weeks, underscoring the song’s enduring popularity.
The music video, shot in black and white and featuring clips from Dirty Dancing, added visual context that further endeared the song to fans. Its commercial releases spanned various formats from 7″ vinyl to 12″ maxi singles and even early CDs, reflecting its widespread appeal and demand across different platforms.
“She’s Like the Wind” remains a poignant testament to Patrick Swayze’s multifaceted talent, embodying both his acting prowess and musical sensibilities. Its inclusion in Dirty Dancing not only enriched the film’s narrative but also etched itself into pop culture history as an unforgettable ode to love and longing. As it continues to be embraced by new generations, its legacy as a timeless classic of the 1980s music landscape endures, forever associated with the iconic film that brought its emotional depth to life.
Video
Lyrics
She’s like the wind through my tree
She rides the night next to me
She leads me through moonlight
Only to burn me with the sun
She’s taken my heart
But she doesn’t know what she’s done
Feel her breath on my face
Her body close to me
Can’t look in her eyes
She’s out of my league
Just a fool to believe
I have anything she needs
She’s like the wind
I look in the mirror and all I see
Is a young old man with only a dream
Am I just fooling myself
That she’ll stop the pain
Living without her
I’d go insane
Feel her breath on my face
Her body close to me
Can’t look in her eyes
She’s out of my league
Just a fool to believe
I have anything she needs
She’s like the wind
Feel your breath in my face
Your body close to me
Can’t look in your eyes
You’re out of my league
Just a fool to believe
(Just a fool to believe) she’s like the wind
Just a fool to believe (just a fool to believe)
She’s like the wind
Just a fool to believe (just a fool to believe)
She’s like the wind
Just a fool to believe (just a fool to believe)
She’s like the wind
Just a fool
She’s like the wind
She’s like the wind
Just a fool
She’s like the wind, just a fool