1-8: Alternating Step-Points w/ 1/4 turn right
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Step R forward (1), Point L side (2), Step L forward (3), Point R side (4)
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Step R 1/4 right (5), Point L side (6), Step L forward (7), Point R side (8)
9-16: Rocking Chair, two Stomps, two Hip Sways
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Rock R forward (1), Recover weight L (2), Rock R back (3), Recover weight L (4)
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Stomp R (5), Stomp L (6), Sway hips right (7), Sway hips left (8)
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Step R to 1:30 (1), Touch L to R + clap (2), Step L to 7:30 (3), Touch R to L + clap (4)
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Step R to 4:30 (5), Touch L to R + clap (6), Step L to 10:30 (7), Touch R to L + clap (8)
25-32: Freestyle Mambos R/L (dir = direction of choice)
1&2 3&4
Step R dir (1), Recover weight L (&), Touch R to L (2), Step L dir (3), Recover weight R (&) Touch L to R (4)
5&6 7&8
Step R dir (5), Recover weight L (&), Touch R to L (6), Step L dir (7), Recover weight R (&) Touch L to R (8)
Choreography & Dance Notes
These song lyrics are about not living life in fear and listening to your heart. This dance is meant to: 1) Be something that anyone can join on the floor, and 2) Mimic the journey of living too carefully to living out loud.
Step-points are methodical, careful steps - tip-toe cautiously to the music. During the prechorus, the 1/4 turn happens when the lyrics say to “tune in the magic frequency,” which is the metaphorical change of direction the song is about - finally listening to your heart.
The Rocking Сhair, Stomps, and Hip Sways represent the turmoil of dealing with the change you’ve made. You’re rocked to and fro before decisively planting your feet and swaying to the new rhythm you found. The stomps also align with verse lyrics about thunder and lions roaring.
The K-step is included when the song comes to life at the beginning of the chorus, because everything is finally O”K” now! It also looks great when a crowd does it in sync, and it’s easy for beginners to join in on (which is the whole point).
Mambos were chosen as a tribute to the Latin artists Jesse & Joy (and because they’re an easy step that looks great and is fun to do). Because the song is about following your heart, they can and should be done in whatever direction the dancer is feeling at the moment - they don’t have to just be to the side. Like the song says: "Live life like it’s a song!"
Thank you for checking out my dance!