Calvin Harris continues in his quest to collaborate with anyone who ever sang a song ever by teaming up with soul singer Sam Smith on new track – ‘Promises’.
The video opens with a series of gay men talking about the voguing dance scene, immortalised by the essential documentary Paris Is Burning before being brought to the mainstream by Madonna. One of the interviewees tells the camera: “Growing up in The Bronx you had to carry this tough skin, finding Vogue, it allowed me to express myself in a way that I couldn’t express myself anywhere else”
Kevin Stea, instantly familiar to many as one of the back up dancers from In Bed With Madonna says: “You really can do anything in that world and be accepted,” before Smith’s vocals kick in.
While obviously not a patch on the pop track that originally brought the dance trend to the fore, the Calvin Harris tune is another welcome celebration for a style of movement synonymous with the queer community.
Interest in the ball scene has come roaring back recently, initially due to the constant references and quotes on RuPaul’s Drag Race but now also with Ryan Murphy’s TV series, Pose.
Making television history by featuring the largest cast of transgender actors ever to appear on a TV show, it’s proven a hit with viewers and reviewers alike. Looking at the lives of the marginalised who created the underground phenomenon, and the scourge of AIDS in the 1980s, it’s also a trashy, glittery, silly, inspiring and hugely enjoyable watch, with a killer soundtrack.
Oh, and if you haven’t already (and you really should have), take this opportunity to drop whatever you are doing and watch Paris Is Burning. It’ll have you saying “You own everything, everything is yours!” pretty much around the clock for the rest of the week.
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