After achieving their first number one hit record and platinum album, Captain and Tennille found themselves inundated with song submissions from songwriters and publishing companies. Managing this influx while maintaining their demanding schedule proved impossible. To address this challenge, they enlisted the discerning ears of Toni Tennille’s sisters, Louisa and Jane, to streamline the selection process of potential Captain And Tennille Songs.
Louisa undertook the monumental task of listening to every submitted song. Her method involved meticulously reviewing each piece and then compiling tapes featuring the initial 20 to 30 seconds of songs she deemed promising. These curated tapes were then presented to Captain and Tennille, who would further refine the selection by choosing tracks that immediately captured their attention. Upon identifying these initial favorites, they would then listen to the entirety of the demo recordings to assess their suitability.
Jane, residing in Nashville, played a crucial role by directly engaging with the music publishing offices located on Music Row, a renowned hub for the music industry. Her efforts were focused on discovering songs that might resonate with Captain and Tennille’s musical style and preferences. It was through Jane’s Nashville scouting that they discovered the song “Can’t Stop Dancing,” originally performed by Ray Stevens. When they proceeded to record “Can’t Stop Dancing,” Toni Tennille recalled feeling that Daryl Dragon had slightly accelerated the tempo. She personally felt it might be a bit too fast-paced for comfortable dancing. However, despite this initial concern, the public embraced the song with as much enthusiasm as they had, propelling it to success as one of the memorable Captain and Tennille songs.
Years later, “Can’t Stop Dancing” experienced a resurgence in the public eye. The producers of “Dancing with the Stars” sought permission to feature the song in one of their episodes. Captain and Tennille readily granted their approval and didn’t think much more about it. However, Toni Tennille expressed immense delight upon discovering that “Can’t Stop Dancing” had been chosen for the opening dance of a season premiere. She was particularly impressed and thrilled by the captivating performance of Marilu Henner and Derek Hough. The unexpected revival of their songs in films or television series always brings a special joy, highlighting the enduring appeal of Captain and Tennille songs and their place in popular culture.
