Leslie Massey
Flashdance... What a Feeling is a song that was performed and co-written by Irene Cara for the 1983 film Flashdance. Cara's performance of the song at the 1984 Academy Awards was later ranked as one of the 20 Greatest Best Song Oscar Performances by Rolling Stone magazine in 2016. Cara also won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the song in 1984. In 2006, Cara performed the song live in Australia as an opener to the pre-match entertainment at the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Performer | Irene Cara |
| Song | "Flashdance... What a Feeling" |
| Year of Performance | 2006 |
| Location | Melbourne, Australia |
| Event | AFL Grand Final |
| Type of Performance | Live |
| Other Notes | Cara performed the song as an opener to the pre-match entertainment |
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What You'll Learn
Irene Cara's performance at the 2006 AFL Grand Final in Melbourne
The 2006 AFL Grand Final in Melbourne featured an exciting pre-match entertainment lineup, with the headlining act being none other than the two-time Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter Irene Cara. This was Cara's first time performing at an AFL match, and she took the stage in front of a massive crowd of 100,000 people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Cara's performance included her iconic song "Flashdance (What a Feeling)", which was also featured in a recent advertising campaign for Carlton Draught beer by the event's sponsor, Foster's Group (formerly CUB). The song, famously known for its association with the film "Flashdance", added to the excitement and energy of the Grand Final festivities.
The AFL Grand Final, one of the most anticipated sporting events in Australia, was a highly anticipated matchup between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles. The game was a close contest, with Sydney having won the previous year's Grand Final by just four points. The pre-match entertainment, including Cara's performance, contributed to the excitement and buzz surrounding the event.
Cara was not the only entertainer to grace the stage that day. The lineup also included Australian Idol contestants, such as 2005 winner Kate DeAraugo and runner-up Emily Williams, as well as 2004 finalist Ricki-Lee Coulter and 2003 finalist Paulini Curuenavuli. They were joined by other talented acts, including John Paul Young, Sean Kelly, Daryl Braithwaite, Shane Howard, Brian Mannix, and Joe Camilleri.
The 2006 AFL Grand Final in Melbourne was not just a showcase of athletic excellence but also a celebration of entertainment, with Irene Cara's performance of "Flashdance (What a Feeling)" serving as a memorable highlight.
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Cara's band, Hot Caramel
Hot Caramel is a band fronted by Irene Cara, who is also their executive producer. The band has released a 24-song album, 'Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel', which is available on Amazon and Spotify.
The album features several collaborations with other artists, including Mike Bogle, Joseph Williams of Toto, Jason Scheff of Chicago, and Joe Pizullo of Sergio Mendes. The songs on the album include "The Best", "Stop Frontin", "Soul Beat", "Somethin' Old Somethin' New", "You Don't Luv", "No One Could Luv U More", and "Misty Blue".
Hot Caramel's music can be described as a blend of pop, soul, and R&B. The band's sound is characterized by Cara's powerful vocals and the smooth harmonies provided by the other band members. Their songs often feature catchy hooks and upbeat rhythms that are sure to get listeners moving.
One of the standout tracks on the album is "Soul Beat", which features an all-star collaboration with renowned musicians from Toto, Chicago, and Sergio Mendes. The song showcases the band's versatility and their ability to blend different musical styles seamlessly.
Irene Cara's collaboration with Hot Caramel has resulted in a dynamic and captivating body of work that has garnered a dedicated fan base. Their music has been well-received by audiences and critics alike, with many praising the band's unique sound and Cara's exceptional vocal talents.
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Cara's acting career
Irene Cara's acting career began on Spanish-language television, where she performed in singing and dancing roles. She then went on to perform on shows including 'The Original Amateur Hour', 'The Ed Sullivan Show', and 'The Tonight Show' with Johnny Carson. Her talent was also showcased on Broadway in productions including 'Ain't Misbehavin' and the Obie Award-winning musical 'The Me Nob'.
Cara's career progressed to series television, where she found a home on the daytime drama 'Love of Life' and the educational series 'The Electric Company'. In 1976, she portrayed the title character Sparkle Williams in the musical drama film 'Sparkle'. That same year, she was named one of twelve "Promising New Actors" by John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 28, and a readers' poll in Right On! magazine named her Top Actress.
In 1980, Cara rose to stardom with her portrayal of Coco Hernandez in the musical film 'Fame'. She was originally cast as a dancer, but the producers and screenwriter rewrote the role for her to play after hearing her voice. In this part, she sang the title song "Fame" and "Out Here on My Own", which were both nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The title track won the award, and the film won the Academy Award for Best Original Score. Cara earned two Grammy nominations for her work on 'Fame': Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical.
Following her success in 'Fame', Cara continued to act in films such as 'Killing 'em Softly' (1982), 'Sister, Sister' (1982), and 'For Us the Living: The Medgar Evers Story' (1983). In 1984, she appeared in the comedic thriller 'City Heat', co-starring with Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds. She also starred in the film 'Certain Fury' opposite Tatum O'Neal in 1985. Cara's other acting credits include voicing "Snow White" in the animated film 'Happily Ever After' and touring as "Mary Magdalene" in the Andrew Lloyd Webber production 'Jesus Christ Superstar'.
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Flashdance... What a Feeling co-writers
"Flashdance... What a Feeling" was co-written by Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey, and Irene Cara. Moroder, who composed the music and produced the track, had previously worked with Flashdance producer Jerry Bruckheimer on the 1980 film "American Gigolo". Moroder wrote the song's music before filming for "Flashdance" began and thought that Irene Cara, who had performed the theme song for "Fame", would be the ideal singer for it. Cara, who was an accomplished dancer, wrote the lyrics with Forsey. The song's message was intended to be a metaphor about a dancer's control over her body and life.
Cara was initially reluctant to work with Moroder due to fears of being compared to another singer he had produced, Donna Summer. However, Paramount Pictures brought them together for "Flashdance". Moroder and Cara, along with Forsey, were shown the final scene of the film to help them understand the context for the lyrics. They decided that the dancer's ambition to succeed would be a metaphor for anyone hoping to achieve their dreams.
The word "Flashdance" never appears in the lyrics, but Moroder tried to persuade Cara and Forsey to include it. The closest they came was using the words "flash" and "dance" separately. The song was completed with the title "What a Feeling", and "Flashdance" was added for promotional reasons.
"Flashdance... What a Feeling" was a massive success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for six weeks. Cara and her co-writers won the Oscar for Best Original Song, and the song was added to the National Recording Registry in 2023.
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Flashdance... What a Feeling accolades
"Flashdance... What a Feeling" is a song by Irene Cara from the 1983 film Flashdance. The song was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also a critical success, winning the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. The song was certified gold and hit number one in nine countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, France, Sweden, and Norway.
The unexpected success of the song and the film resulted in stores across the US selling out of the single and its parent album just days after the film's release. The success of the song also led to legal troubles for Cara, as she took action against her label to receive the royalties stipulated in her recording contract. Despite the backlash and financial troubles she faced, Cara's performance on "Flashdance... What a Feeling" solidified her place in music history and continues to be celebrated today.
The song's lyrics, written by Cara, Keith Forsey, and Giorgio Moroder, capture the feeling of dance and the metaphor of a dancer taking control of her body and life. The music was composed by Moroder, who had previously won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for "Midnight Express" in 1979. Moroder's experience and talent combined with Cara's powerful vocals resulted in a song that became an instant classic and a defining moment in the film.
The impact of "Flashdance... What a Feeling" extended beyond its commercial and critical success. The song became a cultural phenomenon, with its dance-themed lyrics and upbeat melody resonating with audiences. It inspired numerous covers and remixes, with artists such as Hollie Cavanagh, Yael Naim, and The Girly Team putting their own spin on the track. The song's influence can also be seen in subsequent dance-themed films and music, with its impact felt across generations.
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Frequently asked questions
Irene Cara Escalera was an American singer and actress who rose to fame for her role in the 1980 musical film *Fame*. She also recorded the film's title track, which became a No. 1 hit in several countries.
Yes, in 2006, Cara performed "Flashdance... What a Feeling" at the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne.
Cara co-wrote the song with Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey. She wrote the lyrics with Forsey while riding in a car in New York on their way to the studio to record it.
Cara shared an Academy Award for Best Original Song and won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1984 for the song.
Yes, in 1993, a California jury awarded Cara $1.5 million from a 1985 lawsuit she filed against her record label for withholding royalties from the *Flashdance* soundtrack and her first two solo records.
