How to dance in the 60s

How Many of These 1960s Dances Do You Remember? (Including Vintage Videos!)

As women who grew up in the 1960s, dance has been a part of our lives since the very beginning. But, if I’m right, most of us haven’t had a chance to see our favorite 1960s dances performed – let alone put on our dancing shoes and try them ourselves – for many years.

So, I thought it would be fun to collect vintage videos of the most iconic 1960s dances and share them here. I’ll say a few words about my own experience with music and dance first. But, you can always skip to the videos, below, if you are itching to try Twist, Watusi, Mashed Potato and Pony yourself!

Here are my favorite 1960s dances:

The Twist – The iconic 1960s dance hit.
Mashed Potato – The dance made popular by Dee Dee Sharp’s song Mashed Potato Time.
The Monster Mash – The Halloween classic favorite.
The Madison – The popular line dance.
The Hully Gully – “Shake your shoulders and wiggle your knees. ”
The Pony – Another great dance created by Chubby Checker.
The Hitch Hike – Marvin Gaye’s iconic dance that accompanied his hit song became an instant favorite.
The Swim – The timeless dance that had you swimming on the dance floor.
The Locomotion – The silly dance that had you dancing in a chain formation like a train on the dance floor.

If you enjoy these videos, please share this article with your friends. Let’s see if we can start a dance revolution!

In elementary school, they used to pipe music into the playground, where we gathered in little circles to dance. I wonder if they still do that… somehow, I doubt it!

Then, as my friends and I got a little older, dancing continued to be one of our favorite social activities.

We gathered in little groups and tried out the latest and greatest moves. Line dances were big and my group of girls was always experimenting.

I would rush home from school and watch American Bandstand, where Dick Clark would introduce one fun and funky band after another. Then, like so many little girls of my generation, I would dance in front of my television.

Then, I turned 13 and my family moved to Detroit. There, my passion for dance was intensified by the fabulous Motown music in the city air.

Fabulous rhythmic music was everywhere and the dances that we know now by fun descriptive names became a part of my life. The Twist, Watusi, Mashed Potato and Pony – I loved them all!

The Twist was, of course, the most famous. But, if I am honest, my favorite was the Mashed Potato!

Our favorite 1960s dances encouraged camaraderie and connection. Dancing was definitely a social statement! I remember going to the Grande Ballroom in Detroit and dancing until my curfew. They were such amazing times!

At times, the dance energy was intense. No wonder I was so skinny!

Looking at the videos below, I see how high energy, fun and carefree these dances were. They reflected a different attitude to music and social engagement! They were designed to make you feel good!

We knew how to have fun!

Here are 10 famous 1960s dances that you probably remember.

Most people don’t remember that the original song, The Twist, was released in 1959, one year before the hit cover by Chubby Checker. It was Checker’s version of the song that made the dance of the same name iconic.

Take a look at this video of The Twist.

Unlike The Twist, the Mashed Potato was not linked to a single song. Instead, it became the basis for the dance moves that went along with several hits. Among the most famous songs to become associated with the Mashed Potato was Dee Dee Sharp’s Mashed Potato Time.

Take a look at this video of the Mashed Potato.

Another famous 1960s dance that was related to the Mashed Potato was The Monster Mash. The song, made popular by Bobby “Boris” Pickett, has since gone on to become synonymous with Halloween for millions of kids around the world. In fact, it is one of the few 1960s songs that most of our grandkids have probably heard.

Here’s a video of The Monster Mash.

The Madison was a line-dance hit that was popular in the 1960s and well into the 1970s. In this instructional video, dance instructors Jennifer Comar and Paolo Pasta Lanna share the basic moves for The Madison.

“Shake your shoulders and wiggle your knees. ” Another favorite from the 1960s was The Hully Gully. Here’s a clip of the Olympics performing the song that ultimately inspired the dance.

In 1961, Puerto Rico jazz musician, Ray Barretto, released his hit song “El Watusi.” Future artists picked up the beat and The Watusi developed into a dance that thrived for years to come.

In the following clip, The Lennon Sisters, Norma Zimmer, Larry Hooper and Russ Klein perform Wah Watusi on The Lawrence Welk Show.

Chubby Checker is perhaps best known for his association with the hit song, The Twist. However, this was one of several dances that he inspired. For example, his hit song Pony Time inspired the iconic dance The Pony.

Here’s a video of Chubby Checker performing Pony Time.

Iconic dance hit, The Hitch Hike, was inspired by Marvin Gaye’s hit with the same name. In the following short video, Marvin Gaye performs Hitch Hike.

In retrospect, the moves from The Swim were rather obvious. You pretty much just need to pretend that you are swimming! Well, simple or not, it was a lot of fun!

Here’s a video of Bobby Freeman performing the hit.

Little Eva was fantastic and this dance was so easy and fun to do! Yes, the words were silly, but, the music was great! I just love the backup dancers in this video! Move over Beyonce!

Did you enjoy this stroll down memory lane? If so, please share this article with your friends. Let’s see if we can lead a revival of some of the best dances ever created!

Which 1960s dances do you remember? Did you dance The Twist, Mashed Potato, Monster Mash, Madison or any of the other songs in this article? Let’s have a chat and take a stroll down memory lane!

How Do I Re-Create Dances from the 1960s? (with pictures)

Art

Fact Checked

Patti Kate

Last Modified Date: November 09, 2022

To re-create dances from the 1960s, do research on music and clothing styles from that decade. Watch TV shows from that decade that showcased dances from the 1960s. You may be able to find videos and books relating to music and dance from that era at your local library. If you're planning on throwing a party, make a list of several dances from the 1960s that you and your guests can re-create then look them up on the Internet. Some of the dances include the mashed potato, the swim, the twist, and the funky chicken.

You need to fully understand the 1960s dance culture to be able to re-create the dance moves from that decade. As you do your research, look up dance crazes and fads they were the most popular among the youth of that era. Begin with dances such as the Madison and the twist. For greater authenticity as you perform these dance moves, try to find teen television shows on video. If possible, watch old clips of television shows such as American Bandstand and Shindig, which provided a platform for teenagers who performed dances of that generation.

Consider signing up for a dance class that focuses on the 1960s style of dance. Your dance instructor can help you re-create dances from the 1960s, but it might take several lessons before you can master the moves. Choose a dance school that employs certified instructors.

If you search your local video store or look online, you should be able to find a DVD on 1960s dance instruction. Choose a DVD that offers several dances from that decade if you want to master a variety of dances. If you attend a dance school, there are several levels to master, each with a set amount of time for a lesson. If the school features special events and performances, be sure you attend. This can help you see first hand how the dances from the 1960s are performed.

When you re-create dances from the 1960s, you'll have more fun if you project a credible 1960s appearance. Therefore, you need to learn which styles of clothing to wear for your dance routine. Doing so is relatively easy, and you can find pictures online or in books and magazines. If you're somewhat creative, you can put together your own 1960s outfit, complete with accessories such as love beads and headbands. The ladies may choose mini skirts and go-go boots, while the guys can wear turtlenecks or tie-dyed shirts, fringed vests, and bell-bottom pants.

Top 10 Dances of the 60s

Affinity for playful hot and dynamic Latin America and its own African-American dance traditions allowed the USA to be home to many of the most popular and trendy dances of the 60s, which quickly spread around the globe, transforming planet into an endless dance hali-gali-twist-loco marathon that continues to this day.

The 1960s were a time of dramatic change in America - after the conservative fifties came a revolution in sex, public sentiment, music and, of course, dance. Those - original, emotional, intricate and wildly attractive - we, not being professionals, counted as many as ten. Dynamic rhythms, positive mood, an atmosphere of total happiness and universal joy - ten dance novelties of the sixties for every taste, color and mood.

THE TWIST

"The Twist" was the title of Hank Ballard's song, turned into a worldwide hit by artist Chubby Checker. Thick-cheeked and obese (hence the pseudonym - Chubby) the singer did not at all complex about his figure and came up with a simple, understandable and extremely energetic dance movement to accompany the song. On the famous Dick Clark TV show, where Checker often performed, the twist was presented as follows: Wipe your ass with a napkin and simultaneously crush a cigarette butt with both feet.

THE WATUSI

Against the background of the twist fever, the Watusi dance, whose origins are rooted in the folklore traditions of the African people of Tutsi, has come into fashion. In the early 1960s, the playful song "Wah-Watusi" was performed by the Philadelphia quartet "The Orlons" - the song lasted fourteen weeks at the top of the charts, and the accompanying dance pleases the eye to this day.

HITCHHIKER

In 1962, the star artist Marvin Gay released the single "Hitch Hike", which led the American public to wild delight. And when a hitchhiking dance was invented for the famous music and words, the people naturally went crazy and rushed to dance at all discos, club venues and just on the street. Impossible to resist! The cult rock bands "The Sonics", "The Rolling Stones", "Alice Cooper" could not resist, who made cover versions and moved incendiary to hitchhiking rhythms.

LOCO (LOCO-MOTION)

The super hit "The Loco motion" was first performed in 1962 by the singer Little Eve, aka Eve Boyd, reached number one in the charts and in subsequent decades, thanks to Kylie Minogue and the Grand Funk Railroad group, hit the number one twice more line of music charts.

Locomotion did not have an official dance movement, but Little Eve did not stand still, but ignited the people with backup dancers.

THE STROLL

In fact, the troll appeared back in 1957, but it began to be actively and massively performed in the early 60s, and the troll dance, the slowest on this list, fit different motives. Two rows of dancers, guys and girls, stand facing each other, and one couple stands out from the crowd to show more tricky moves.

THE HULLY GULLY

A similar story happened with the song-dance Khali-Gali, which appeared in 1959, but really became known in February 1960th. "Hully-Gully" never climbed the top charts and was not a super popular song, but in the future, thirteen different covers were made on it, each time accompanying the music with the appropriate dance.

THE PONY

The second appearance of Chubby Checker in our list of trendy dances of the 60s. Following the twist, the hour came for "Pony Time", which is far from being remembered by every dance professional, but at one time the composition of Don Coway and John Berry performed by Checker perched on the highest place, infecting fans with another dance fashion - this time an imitation of riding on a pony

SWIM (THE SWIM)

The most provocative and cheerful dance of the 1960s is swim (from the English to swim - to swim), which opens up a wide field for improvisation for each dancer - dance like you swim, and you will have dance happiness.

Swimwear is welcome, because you came to a beach party, even if it takes place in the concert hall of some high-society palace.

THE MASHED POTATO (THE MASHED POTATO)

This unbridled dance gave the world the "godfather of soul music" James Brown, from whom other artists picked up the "potato" and made the whole nation fall in love with "mashed potatoes". "Mashed-Potato-Time" wasn't the only song "Mashed-potato" danced to -
"Let's Dance" by Chris Montez, "Harry the Haire Ape" by Ray Stevens and many more.

THE JERK

On October 21, 1964, members of the popular band "Larks" ("larks") took the stage of the American Bandstand television show and amazed the audience with their super hit "Jerk", which is especially cool to move to if you are not alone, but together with a cheerful, cheerful audience , because “Jerk” should not be translated “fool” or “stupid”, but “pull, move, push or any other sharp dynamic movement”.

Proximity to playful hot and dynamic Latin America and its own African-American dance traditions allowed the USA to become the home of many of the most popular and fashionable dances of the 60s, which quickly spread around the globe, turning the planet into an endless hali-gali-twist-loco dance marathon that continues to this day.

The Twist

"The Twist" was the title of Hank Ballard's song, which was turned into a worldwide hit by artist Chubby Checker. Thick-cheeked and obese (hence the pseudonym - Chubby) the singer did not at all complex about his figure and came up with a simple, understandable and extremely energetic dance movement to accompany the song. On the famous Dick Clark TV show, where Checker often performed, the twist was presented as follows: Wipe your ass with a napkin and simultaneously crush a cigarette butt with both feet.

The Watusi

Against the backdrop of the twist fever, the Watusi dance, whose origins are rooted in the folklore traditions of the African Tutsi people, has come into fashion. In the early 1960s, the playful song "Wah-Watusi" was performed by the Philadelphia quartet "The Orlons" - the song lasted fourteen weeks at the top of the charts, and the accompanying dance pleases the eye to this day.

Hitchhiker

In 1962, the star artist Marvin Gaye released the single "Hitch Hike", which led the American public to wild delight. And when a hitchhiking dance was invented for the famous music and words, the people naturally went crazy and rushed to dance at all discos, club venues and just on the street. Impossible to resist! The cult rock bands "The Sonics", "The Rolling Stones", "Alice Cooper" could not resist, who made cover versions and moved incendiary to hitchhiking rhythms.

Loco (Loco-motion)

The super hit "The Loco motion" was first performed in 1962 by the singer Little Eve, aka Eve Boyd, reached number one in the charts and in subsequent decades thanks to Kylie Minogue and the group "Grand Funk Railroad" hit the first line of the music charts twice more. Locomotion did not have an official dance movement, but Little Eve did not stand still, but ignited the people with backup dancers.

The Stroll

Khali Gali (The Hully Gully)

The Pony

The Swim (The Swim)

The most provocative and cheerful dance of the 1960s is the swim (from the English. to swim - to swim), which opens up a wide field for improvisation for each dancer - dance like you swim, and you will dance happiness. Swimwear is welcome, because you came to a beach party, even if it takes place in the concert hall of some high-society palace.

Mashed Potato (The Mashed Potato)

This unbridled dance gave the world the "godfather of soul music" James Brown, from whom other artists picked up the "potato" and made the whole nation fall in love with "mashed potatoes".