Heather on Saturday said something like she had always wanted to dance to "American Boy". Possiblly the lyrics had special meaning for her. As dance music I found the endless stream of words with meaning highly distracting, almost as many words as Gilbert and Sullivan, almost like an email read out as Heather danced. Amazing that the singer managed all the words without tripping over. Would anybody who knows the lyrics of this song like to comment?

If Heather as a singer was paying attention to the finer points of lyrics delivery then she was not giving best to her feet and body. The dancer was overwhelmed by the singer.

If that were true then Alesha, Emma Bunton & Aled Jones would all have fallen flat too, as the band are reassuringly consistent in their dreadfulness.

I love Heather & Brian, & I really want her to be better, but she's never yet put her heart and soul into her dancing, and to me that's the problem, rather than her response to the music.

As for the special meaning, I think Brian said it was about an American boy who comes to London and meets a singer, hence they thought it very relevant to their situation.

EDIT: Maybe not Aled ~ iirc it was still the Laurie Holloway Orchestra back in series 2, before Parkie poached them for good, which was far superior to Dave Arch and his bag of cats.

Anyone who has danced the elastic cha cha cha will remember how the simplicity of "Tea for Two" fits the dance like a glove. Understated but not underweight.

Heather has disappointed me. In week 2 she was my fav female celeb but its been down hill ever since. I suspect confidence plays a hugh part. Maybe she needs to get a cocky ego like Austin and Tom and brush off the criticism.

I want her to do well but I fear shes a gonna on Saturday (or Sunday if you still believe its live)

Much as I love Heather & Brian and the song 'American Boy', I don't think the beat was strong enough for a cha cha cha.

She has to go next time she's in the dance-off or it would be bordering on cruel to keep her in when she's not getting it. She's survived three now. Deservedly, of course

I think that Heather has had a dance style from years back and can't adjust her movement. Her moves are marchy and she applies weight directly to the feet, instead of transferring it through the body first and working through the hips too. It's a bit like a toddler would dance, if you get me

I think the song was a bad choice, yes. It was manic and marchy. She was into the song, so I can imagine it took her more into her own place in her mind rather than on the dancefloor, so you may have a point OP.
I do like Heather and I'm in the "want her to do well" brigade, but it's not happening and it's a shame.

The vocalists have not changed, though, and it's the vocals that the OP is objecting to.

Frankly, I think the vocalists do a good job for the most part. They have a lot of songs to learn each week, somtimes in other languages and they do pretty well.

Anyone thought that perhaps it's because she's actually not very good at dancing?

Possibly. But if that were really the case, we'd see Brian wearing a skintight catsuit wouldn't we

Absolutely!

I really do think she freezes due to nerves because in the training footage she usually seems so much better. I don't know what she can do as her confidence must be pretty low now - I am willing her to relax and lose herself in the dance.

Heather looked good 100 years ago - before it actually started!
Get her on the dance floor on Saturday and she's as animated as a doped-up zombie.
I had such high hopes for her.

I don't know that "song" they danced to. I DO know I hated the rendition of it that I heard and do not desire to further my acquaintance with it however. Frankly she can keep it. Of course the same applies to most of the "music" performed by the Dave Arch tune-murderers.

Poor Heather. Put her out of her misery, judges. Let her go!

I agree completely. I love listening to the band, they really make the show. One the guys in particular has a lovely voice.

Hi this is posted by Alexcaber in the beeb forums I thought it made interesting reading.

" because no-one else seems to have sussed out why Heather Small, an experienced musician, consistently has timing issues. Maybe if she reads this before Saturday she has a chance of surviving!

When playing groove oriented music such as latin, soul or funk it is essential to play in the right position relative to the beat. This does not mean that everyone should play exactly on the beat - far from it in fact. If we take the example of 'American Boy' the drums are quite straight and absolutely dead down the centre of the beat. The bass on the other hand pushes ahead, slightly anticipating each beat. That's what gives the song such a bubbling exciting groove, driven by the bass but anchored by the drums. The vocals on the other hand sit back behind the beat, giving it that cool vibe.

If you then listen to any of Heather's music you'll see that like the vast majority of soul and r&b singers she too sits back behind the beat. Thus when she dances she dances with the same position relative to the beat that she would sing - i.e. behind! Unfortunately when dancing any latin music you have to dance on slightly ahead of the beat, just like the bassist plays on 'American Boy'.

This also goes some way to explaining why she dances slower ballroom better - she naturally sits back behind the beat which gives waltzes and suchlike that graceful, gentle feel.

That's all..."

Alex
Last edited by Rubydoll : 04-11-2008 at 19:42

I've just read this over on the Beeb's boards and it does make sense. I found Heather's timing on Saturday distinctly odd and it's not what i would have expected from a singer. Maybe when she goes out to perform she slips into what comes most naturally to her.

Thankfully she has the tango this week so there could still be time to sort things out.

Excellent work Alex, transcribing a message obviously written by a musician. If as I suspect Heather is mentally singing in her familiar genre even while dancing in an unfamiliar style, for her to remember that

"You've gotta look for the hero inside yourself......"

Good luck Heather!

The actual song is usually really good, but the band murdered it.

Not sure which of the following managed to get sung within 90 seconds last Saturday, but it sure was a Niagara of words.

Kanye West:

Just another one champion sound
me and Estelle about to get down
who the hottest in the world right now.
Just touched down in London town.
Bet they give me a pound.
Tell them put the money in my hand right now.
Tell the promoter we need more seats,
we just sold out all the floor seats

Estelle:

Chorus
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day.
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.
I really want to come kick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy.

He said Hey Sister.
It's really really nice to meet ya.
I just met this 5 foot 7 guys who's just my type.
I like the way he's speaking his confidence is peaking.
Don't like his baggy jeans but Ima like what's underneath it.
And no I aint been to MIA
I heard that Cali never rains and New York heart awaits. First let's see the west end.
I'll show you to my bridrens.
I'm like this American Boy. American Boy

Chorus
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.
I really want to come kick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy

Can we get away this weekend.
Take me to Broadway.
Let's go shopping baby then we'll go to a Café.
Let's go on the subway.
Take me to your hood.
I neva been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good.
Dress in all your fancy clothes.
Sneaker's looking Fresh to Def I'm lovin those Shell Toes.
Walkin that walk.
Talk that slick talk.
I'm likin this American Boy. American Boy.

Chorus
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day.
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.
I really want to come kick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy

let them kno wagwan blud

Kanye West:
Who killin em in the UK. Everybody gonna to say you K, reluctantly, because most of this press don't f**k wit me. Estelle once said to me, cool down down don't act a fool now now. I always act a fool oww oww. Aint nothing new now now. He crazy, I know what ya thinkin. Ribena, I know what you're drinkin. Rap singer. Chain Blinger. Holla at the next chick soon as you're blinkin. What's you're persona. about this American Brama. Am I shallow cuz all my clothes designer. Dressed smart like a London Bloke. Before he speak his suit bespoke. And you thought he was cute before. Look at this P Coat, Tell me he's broke. And I know you're not into all that. I heard your lyrics I feel your spirit. But I still talk that CAAASH. Cuz a lot wags want to hear it. And I'm feelin like Mike at his Baddest. The Pips at they Gladys. And I know they love it. so to hell with all that rubbish

Estelle:
Would you be my love, my love.
could be mine would you be my love my love, could be mine
Could you be my love, my love.
Would you be my American Boy. American Boy

Chorus
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to Chicago, San Fransisco Bay.
I really want to come kick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy

The song leaves me cold but I thought the band did a good job as usual. They did dance better in the dance off, but I agree the first time was a mess.

There is an occasional bum note but I think they are good most of the time too. At they end of the day, because they are always singing a song made famous by someone else there will always be those who don't like what they hear.

Very interesting, thanks for sharing that ~ it makes sense now, especially as the judges have also pointed out that she dances behind the beat.

it's a great tune, totally ruined

Too much was attempted in too short a time.

Anyone who attended Shepherds Bush can tell us if the singer was desperately reading sheet music as she sang, having no doubt practised endlessly the night before to machine-gun in tempo without stumbling.

I sensed tension in her voice. I stopped watching Heather as I struggled to keep up with the machine-gunning. All I could make out was "tat tat tat tat tat tat ..... American Boy...... tat tat tat tat tat tat ........American Boy...... ".

Please, no gunfire on the dance floor.

Heather said on ITT that she didn't want the judges crucifying one of her songs. Maybe the assault on her ears from the band and singers does interfere with her dancing.

Fascinating analysis, and seems to be spot on, fitting perfectly with Heather's actual performances.

If she hasn't cracked this by now, I don't really see things changing so I'd agree with those calling for the judges to let her out of her misery next time... BUT if she's up against John , I'd bet they'll keep anyone else in to grab the chance to kick him out

Much as I love John's character and charm, his time is coming soon I fear, so I'm guessing it may well be John v Heather this week, with Heather staying on the basis the judges will then get a certain chance to get rid of her the following week.