She’s Like The Wind

Released in December 1987 and featured on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, this heartfelt ballad—co-written and performed by Patrick Swayze—became a surprise hit. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 “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.