When Footloose hit US movie theaters on February 17, 1984, it hit hard. Despite critics mostly trashing the film, young fans flocked to see the flick about Kevin Bacon and ragtag team of small-town Utah teens who band together for the love of dancing.
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Music from the movie was just as successful, with the Footloose motion picture soundtrack flying from record store shelves across the country. The album's first single, Kenny Loggins' high-energy title track, was a smash. flying up the charts to #1.
For the soundtrack's second single, Columbia Records turned to Deniece Williams' peppy and upbeat tune, "Let's Hear It for the Boy." Written by Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow around the song title, they presented the tune to Williams and her producer, George Duke. They loved the track, and eagerly hit the studio to record it.
That infectious energy would translate into another smash hit from the Footloose soundtrack. Originally released on Valentine's Day, 1984, "Let's Hear it for the Boy" would follow the title treac straight up the Hot 100 until it peaked at #1 on May 26, 1984. It would reign for two weeks before being toppled by Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" on June 9, 1984.
"Let's Hear It for the Boy" would also be nominated for the Best Original Song Academy Award. Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from The Woman in Red would take the Oscar.
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