Best Burlesque Songs for Your Bumps & Grinds!

Looking to get started in Burlesque? Or perhaps just wanting to engage in the art of the strip tease behind closed doors? Here are a few suggestions from the Velvet Kitten creator and choreographer to get you started!

First and foremost, find something that entices you as an individual. This can be from any genre, and any era. All that matters is that the music makes you want to move!

Some Burlesque standards can be found on the popular CD Take It Off!: Striptease Classics. Some of my favorites are Chivas Regal, Bumps & Grinds, More Bumps & Grinds, and Stripper.

I'm also a big fan of Julie London, and particularly love her renditions of
Daddy, Every Baby Needs a Daddy, and Cry Me a River.

One of my favorite melodies is Harlem Nocturne (by Earle Hagen, lyrics by Dick Rogers). This has been covered by a variety of artists. I recommend the Viscounts or Coltrane's versions. Another excellent suggestion is Night Train (by Jimmy Forrest, Oscar Washington, and Lewis C. Simpson).

Fever, an additional popular tune covered by many artists, has definitely become a beloved burlesque standard on stage.

Remember, many famous jazz musicians played in the burlesque houses. If you want to stay more authentic, perform a little research and find those selections that stimulated your particular iconic burlesque entertainer across the stage!

Want something a little more modern day? Some additional Velvet Kitten favorites: American Woman (Guess Who version), School Boy Crush (Average White Band), Season of the Witch (Dr. John and the Blues Brothers Band), Slippage and Black Cherry (Goldfrapp), If Loving You is Wrong (Faithless). And we can't forget those sexy Broadway tunes that have become staples in the burlesque scene: Big Spender (Sweet Charity), Whatever Lola Wants (Damn Yankees), Don't Tell Mama (Cabaret), Let Me Entertain You and You Gotta Have a Gimmick (Gypsy)….just to name a few!

If you have a particular favorite you'd like to share, please leave us a comment!

And Don't Forget!!! This Saturday you can hear some of these fine tunes as the Velvet Kittens' present Un Noel Coquin (A Naughty Xmas) Burlesque Revue!

Show Dates: December 6 and 20

At: Rembrandt's Dutch Pub in Dallas' West End/Victory Park area (703 McKinney Ave).

Show times: 10:00pm

~Reservations not required, but recommended~

And remember, all Velvet Kitten Burlesque shows at Rembrandt are free.