Dance Scene, The Breakfast Club

Image source: https://giphy.com/gifs/dancing-dance-the-breakfast-club-13QLE4NPm04X2U

We Are Not Alone by Karla DeVito

Rating: 10/10

When one thinks of the music from The Breakfast Club, the first song to come to mind is most likely Simple Minds’ Don’t You (Forget About Me). The ending scene pops into your mind as the triumphant figure of John Bender (Judd Nelson) walks toward the camera with a fist raised in the air. Though this scene is one that even people who have never seen the movie know, the dance scene that happens toward the middle of the film is the one I will be focusing on.

The Breakfast Club, consisting of five completely different students, all bond as they serve their Saturday detention. The dance scene serves as both a comedic device as well as a reminder that these are five high schoolers trying to make the best out of an unfortunate situation. Karla DeVito’s We Are Not Alone is fast-paced and packed with energy and 80s synth, perfectly conveying the joy the characters are feeling, though it is fleeting.

Lyrically, the song shows the connection these students make to each other and how they can overcome their differences. The bridge states “If we dare expose our hearts/Just to feel the purest parts/That's when strange sensations start to grow.” These lyrics emphasize the growth and openness these characters are finally experiencing as they show each other their vulnerability.

The free-flowing nature of the song reminds the audience that these children should be having fun in their youth rather than being trapped in the school library for a whole day. 80s pop ballads are meant to have an upbeat sound with meaningful lyrics. Despite The Breakfast Club being dramatic at times, it is also supposed to have a light-hearted comedy side to it. To me, We Are Not Alone nails this feeling on the head with both it’s bouncing melody and meaningful lyrics. I’m sure others would agree with me on this as well, as the dance scene has been recreated and parodied in many other shows and films (such as the classic episode of Nickelodeon’s Victorious entitled The Breakfast Bunch).

Overall, I feel like this scene is very well crafted and is possibly one of the most iconic scenes in the film if not film history. It perfectly fits the feel and energy of a movie that would go on to become a classic.