The 1950’s and 1960’s were great decades for dancing. Some dances were done with a partner, while others were dances teenagers could do alone on the dance floor.
Popular Dances of the 1950s
The Jitterbug – One of the most exciting partner dances. It was fast, energetic, and included spins, turns, and sometimes fancy moves.
The Lindy Hop – Similar to the Jitterbug and popular with swing music. Couples danced with lots of movement and turns.
The Cha-Cha – A popular partner dance with the familiar rhythm: cha-cha-cha. Couples took small, quick steps and moved around the floor together.
The Mambo – A lively Latin dance that became very popular during the 1950s. The music had a strong beat, and couples danced with quick steps and turns.
The Twist – Although it became a huge craze in the early 1960s, the dance began appearing at the end of the 1950’s. Dancers twisted their hips and feet without needing a partner.
The Stroll – Very popular with teenagers. Boys stood in one line and girls in another, leaving a space down the middle. Couples would take turns walking and dancing down the center while everyone watched.
Slow Dancing – Of course, there was always slow dancing. When a romantic song came on, couples would hold each other and gently move back and forth.
Popular Dances of the Early 1960’s
The Twist – This was one of the biggest dance crazes of all time. You could dance it by yourself, twisting your feet as if putting out cigarettes while moving your hips.
The Mashed Potato – Dancers moved their feet back and forth while twisting their bodies. It became popular with the early rock-and-roll and R&B sound.
The Pony – A simple dance with a bouncing movement. Dancers bent their knees and moved their arms as they bounced to the music.
The Watusi – A free-style dance with swinging arms and twisting movements. It was especially popular during the mid-1960’s.
The Hully Gully – This was often done in a group. Dancers followed a series of simple steps and movements.
The Swim – Just as the name suggests, dancers moved their arms as though they were swimming.
The Monkey – Made famous during the mid-1960’s, dancers bent their knees and moved their arms in a swinging motion.
The Frug – A very popular mid-1960’s dance. It involved bending the knees, moving the hips, and making quick movements with the arms and shoulders.
The Jerk – Another energetic 1960’s dance with quick arm and body movements.
The Hitchhike – Dancers acted out the motion of hitchhiking, putting out a thumb and then moving their arms in rhythm with the music.
The Later 1960’s
By the late 1960’s, dancing became much freer. Instead of everyone learning the same exact steps, people often danced however they felt the music. Rock music, soul, Motown, and psychedelic music all brought different styles to the dance floor.
At a 1950’s sock hop, you might see couples doing the Jitterbug, Cha-Cha, or slow dancing, with teenagers also doing dances such as the Stroll.
By the 1960’s, the dance floor had changed. You might hear a record start playing and suddenly see everyone doing the Twist, Mashed Potato, Pony, Monkey, or Frug—often dancing by themselves rather than with a partner.
It was a time when a new hit record could sometimes bring along a brand-new dance craze.
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