Patrick Swayze – She’s Like the Wind
A tender ballad that floated from the screen straight into pop history
Released in December 1987, “She’s Like the Wind” became one of the most unexpected hits of the decade — not just because it was a love song, but because it was sung by Patrick Swayze, the star of Dirty Dancing. Co-written with his friend Stacy Widelitz back in 1984, the song was originally meant for the film Grandview, U.S.A. but was shelved — until Swayze played the demo for Dirty Dancing’s producers, who immediately saw its potential.
A Love Song with Real-Life Roots
Swayze said the song was inspired by his relationship with his wife, Lisa Niemi — a love that felt both grounding and elusive. That emotional core runs through the lyrics, which describe a woman who’s close yet somehow out of reach: “She’s like the wind, through my tree…” It’s a ballad full of longing, admiration, and quiet heartbreak.
The Soundtrack Surprise
Though Dirty Dancing was set in the early ’60s, “She’s Like the Wind” — a contemporary soft rock ballad — fit the film’s emotional tone perfectly. It plays during a pivotal scene between Johnny (Swayze) and Baby (Jennifer Grey), adding a layer of melancholy to their onscreen goodbye. Swayze doesn’t sing it on camera, but his voice soundtracks his own scene — a rare and powerful move.
The track was produced by Michael Lloyd, with Wendy Fraser providing soft, haunting harmonies. Fraser had also sung on the original demo and was brought back for the final version. Her vocals add a delicate counterpoint to Swayze’s lead, giving the song its signature emotional texture.
Chart Performance and Legacy
“She’s Like the Wind” was a major commercial success. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in early 1988. It also hit the Top 10 in Canada, Ireland, Belgium, and France, and peaked at No. 17 in the UK. The song helped propel the Dirty Dancing soundtrack to over 30 million copies sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.
Though Swayze never pursued a full-time music career, this track made him a one-hit wonder with serious impact. He later contributed songs to other films, but “She’s Like the Wind” remains his most enduring musical moment.
Why It Still Moves Us
“She’s Like the Wind” isn’t just a movie tie-in — it’s a genuinely heartfelt ballad that captured a softer side of a Hollywood icon. It’s romantic, a little sad, and totally timeless. Whether you’re watching Dirty Dancing for the hundredth time or hearing the song on a throwback playlist, it still hits like a breeze through the trees.
