In memory of Patrick Swayze, Oscar-winning songwriter Frankie Previte is releasing the original demo recordings of the songs he wrote for the film as a digital download, with the proceeds going to the charity named for the late actor, who died last year at 57 following a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.

The four-song release available on iTunes — which include Previte’s original demos of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” and “Hungry Eyes” – do not have the same vocals listeners have become accustomed to over the past 23 years: Previte and Rachele Cappelli provide the vocals on the classic ballad, which was sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes in the film.

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Previte told the Asbury Park Press Sunday he was inspired to keep Swayze’s memory alive, and for a cause he championed.

“Forty-eight million people bought that record, so I figure we might be able to raise some money for cancer research with my demo,” he said. “I called Stanford and they embraced it, and [Swayze's widow] Lisa [Niemi] gave her blessing to it.”

Previte told the paper that Swayze told him his song provided he and co-star Jennifer Grey with the chemistry that’s more than visible in the movie.

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“Patrick was a really good guy — that tender guy in the film is really who he is,” he said. “That’s what saddened me — it’s like, only the good die young. I know this song meant a lot to him, and it’s been such a lucky thing for me. I’d be grateful if I could do something else with it that would do some good.”

For more info on the demos, visit facebook.com/dirtydancingdemos; donations can be made to The Patrick Swayze Pancreas Cancer Research Fund at Stanford Center, Development Office: 2700 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025.