Following the workings of her Sinatra-inspired duo [see: Once More Frank]
and in the wake of her investigation of the methods of turn-of-the-century
exhibition/ballroom dancing [for the movie Ragtime], Tharp created her Nine
Sinatra Songs. Each one of the songs she has chosen (seven duets and two
recapitulation dances--one for the first 3 couples, another for all seven)
has its own musical and dance/theater character. The basic unit of each
dancing couple includes Tharp's reinforcement of the traditional ballroom
unit, which is upscaled by the active participation of the female dancer.
The opener is based on the theme of infatuation, the next Tharp has
characterized as a "bastardized Tango." Another was not based on any
particular dance form, but showed a "close" couple in late night, knowing
rapport. After a re-gathering of all the "characters" involved, a new
dancing couple lends tart, comic relief. Unhurried and unshowy glamour
bathes the next dance, while the next, couldn't be showier. This duo plays
it straight, fast, front and center, in the manner of actual ballroom
competition entrants. The capstone couple is one engrossed in a battle of
wits and maneuvers. They play it hot, hard and furious, each giving as hard
as he or she gets. The final swell is a repeat of "My Way," recorded later
than the first recapitulation's "My Way" accompaniment. The dance has become
a wildly popular Tharp classic, presenting its view of 1950s social dancing
through the nostalgic and yet sharpened eyes of the 1980s. Oscar de la
Renta's dresses and tuxes flash with a similar double edge of present and
previous ages.