Top 10 Dance Crazes of All Time (With Videos) -

Today’s article is written by Meredith Watts who is going to enlighten us with the most popular dance crazes of all time (1960-2013).

Dance is an ever evolving world of creativity and experimentation. Over the years we have seen the catchy and the creative to the downright incredulous. Some have been a passing phase; some will still have a whole party on their feet in a fit of synchronised dancing! Check out these top sensational dance crazes to sweep the world.

In descending order:

10. Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex

Hear this song and you’ll probably be transported back to your childhood discos, your head filling with images of you and your friends slapping your legs and attempting your own versions of Irish step-dancing while the boys skid around on their knees! Here is the dance video:

9. Mashed Potato Time – Dee Dee Sharp

The 60’s bought with it a whole host of dance crazes including this little gem from Dee Dee Sharp. ‘The Mashed Potato’ was all the rage back in 1962. The iconic move to this dance involves extending one leg while swivelling your ankle in and out!

8. The Locomotion – Little Eva

‘The Locomotion’ was first released in 1962 by Little Eve, it was a dance floor sensation through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and could probably still get everyone on their feet today! After its release in the 60’s it was covered by Grand Funk Railroad in 1974 and Kylie Minogue in 1988.

7. Saturday Night Fever – Bee Gees

‘Saturday Night Fever’ those three words that conjure up an image of a young John Travolta, in that white suit that only he could pull off, surrounded by a floor of flashing squares! Everyone on this planet knows those iconic arm movements accompanied with that hip wiggling… This song can fit many dances including the hustle, Cha Cha and Swing and with our online Ballroom dance lessons you’ll be able to dance to them!

6. The Time Warp – The Rocky Horror Show

When the unforgettable Rocky Horror Show entered our lives in the 70’s ‘The Time Warp’ became a dance sensation which is still very much alive and well today! In fact in 2010, 8,239 people hit the streets of West Hollywood to perform the world’s biggest ever Time Warp.

5. Single Ladies – Beyoncé

The first few notes of this song is all it takes for images of Beyoncé in a leotard to come popping into your head and before you know it you’re shaking your booty like only Beyoncé can and waving your hand, regardless of whether your male or female! This dance routine has been replicated everywhere by everyone from parties and weddings to Liza Minnelli in the ‘Sex and the City’ film to ‘Glee’ and even Psy.

4. Thriller – Michael Jackson

The ‘Thriller’ music video is an all-time classic. After people got over the initial terror of it, they learnt the dance and almost 30 years later it’s still an iconic and instantly recognisable dance by one of the most famous men in pop.

3. The Twist – Chubby Checker

Chubby Checker bought the world into the 1960’s with his hit ‘The Twist’ and with it came that unforgettable twisty dance move! Chubby is known worldwide for the twist dance style – so popular that it’s still prevalent 50 years on. This song fits very well to those of you who are learning how to Swing dance

2. Gangnam Style – Psy

Gangnam Style – the absolutely sensational hit of 2012 – it took the world by storm. It bought K-pop to the UK and with it came the ultimate of cheesy moves and of course air-horse riding! Since its release in July 2012 the YouTube video has had over 1.5 billion views!

1. Macarena – Los Del Rio

There are very few people who can say that they haven’t taken part in synchronised dancing to the Macarena since its release in 1994, whether it’s at a wedding, a school disco or on the beach during your summer holiday! It’s been nineteen years since Los Del Rio first released it; surely it’s due a comeback soon… right? This dance resembles the rhythms of Samba and Salsa.