As huge fans of the Patrick Swayze original, when we found out that Boxing Club had released a cover of the iconic song, She’s Like the Wind, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience. Boxing Club open their cover with a glistening guitar riser, expanding into an alternative rock soundscape with a high emotional quotient.
We appreciate the instrumental mastery and the precision that the production is delivered with. Of course, the band delivers the captivating, metaphorical opening 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…”
For some historical context, the original is a ballad and was made famous by the 1987 movie, Dirty Dancing. This re-imagining has a more dark-wave energy that fans of The Cure would absolutely vibe with. This feels apt as She’s Like the Wind is about longing for an idealized person.
The concept is a fantasy, serving up a perfect image that we can feel but can’t hold. The muse appears to have already decided she is above us, because we don’t see ourselves as good enough. On a more zeitgeist note, the song is also about the modern struggle with self-worth.
Whilst we hope that she will take away our loneliness and pain, we are really looking for someone else to fix a wound inside ourselves. In today’s world of social media, comparison, and curated lives, the concept of the “wind” can represent a perfect life or perfect love. It’s about realizing that peace comes from valuing ourselves.
With that regard, we are grateful to Boxing Club for injecting new life into this classic. The instrumentation is out of this world, and the cover is definitely stadium ready. We could see the cover being featured in recent films like Obsession, Mickey 17, The Gorge, and Eternity.
Formed between London and Glasgow, Boxing Club is a five-piece modern British post-punk band with support from BBC 6 Music, Radio X, RTÉ 2FM and Apple Music. They have already had sold-out headline shows at The Grace, 1990 Glasgow and The Dublin Castle, as well as festival appearances at Isle of Wight and upcoming sets at Belladrum, King Tut’s and Tenement Trail.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added She’s Like the Wind to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Boxing Club, including Father and State, and City Boy.