Music is nothing without the memories it creates, and few songs hold such a warm, resonant place in my mind as “Teardrops” by Womack & Womack. This 1988 R&B-pop gem wasn’t always a house music track, but it became a joyous, essential ritual at the end of a long night of dancing.
I have such great memories of this track thanks to Pat from S.L.A.G (Straight, Lesbian & Gay), who would regularly request it from the DJ for the closing moments.
After hours of being lost in excellent, driving house music, this song was the perfect release. It has a soulful, optimistic instrumental backing that somehow manages to lift your spirits even while the lyrics speak of lost romance. It’s one of the original “crying on the dancefloor” classics, but in the best possible way!
To see the entire crowd come together, shaking off the night’s intensity and smiling as they sang along to lines like, “Footsteps on the dance floor, teardrops in my eyes…” was pure magic. It’s a real, genuine feel-good track that gets you smiling, remembering the good times, and celebrating the community built on the dancefloor. A true final-track anthem from the ’80s Vault.