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Songs with their own dance routine
MJJ Productions/Sony Music Entertainment

Songs with their own dance routine

Throughout music history, artists have created songs that featured iconic dance choreography. And no matter how old the song gets, people will still flock to the dance floor to show off their best moves. In addition to dance routines seen in music videos that people love to emulate, sometimes songs come with their own line dance. 

From "Macarena" to "Swag Surfin,'" here's a list of songs that have inspired classic dances. 

 
1 of 20

“Macarena” by Los Del Rio

“Macarena” by Los Del Rio
John Parra/Getty Images for Univision

In 1993, Spanish pop duo Los Del Rio released their smash hit “Macarena.” Thanks to choreographer Mia Frye (who also stars in the music video), the dance is pretty simple and fans tend to perform it closely in unison. Even if listeners don’t know the translation of the song, they were quick to learn the dance. 

 
2 of 20

“The Twist” by Chubby Checker

“The Twist” by Chubby Checker
Stanley Bielecki/ASP/Getty Images

“The Twist” was originally released in 1958 by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, and two years later, Chubby Checker released his cover version. Ballard was inspired to write the song after he saw teenagers doing the twist dance, a move in which people swivel their hips, and their arms and legs soon follow. Checker’s version of the track peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 
3 of 20

“Gangnam Style” by PSY

“Gangnam Style” by PSY
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Back in 2012, there was no escaping PSY’s “Gangnam Style.” People either loved the song for its catchy production, or absolutely hated it because it was overplayed. The song became popular due the dance that was seen in the video, eventually people were seen doing the dance across the globe, from parties to flash mobs. 

 
4 of 20

“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy

“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy
Paras Griffin/Getty Images

In 2007, a new dance craze was on the horizon when Soulja Boy released his debut single “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” It was around the time when the snap era of Atlanta music was becoming more popular. The “Crank That” dance included everything from footwork, to snaps, and a Superman pose, so much that people started uploading their videos to YouTube doing the dance. 

 
5 of 20

“Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People

“Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

One of the most popular songs from the disco era comes from The Village People and their 1978 hit “Y.M.C.A.” While the dance is mostly cheerleading hand movements making the letters, the routine wasn’t created by the group. The Village People appeared on Dıck Clark’s American Bandstand and noticed kids were making the hand movements, so they decided to add it to their performance. 

 
6 of 20

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyoncé

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyoncé
Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood

In 2008, Beyoncé was ready to unleash her alter ego with her third solo album I Am…Sasha Fierce. She teamed up The-Dream and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart” on the iconic track, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." The music video may be one of Bey’s most simplistic visually, but it’s the dance routine that gets people excited when they hear the song. So throw on your leotard, grab a group a friends, and wave your left hand.

 
7 of 20

“Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid

“Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid
Erika Goldring/Getty Images

In 2007, singer Cupid took dance floors and events by storm with his hit song “Cupid Shuffle.” Due to its simple line-dance directions, it’s the type of dance that people of any age can participate in. As he says on the verse, “They got a brand new dance / You gotta move your muscle / Brand new dance, it’s called the Cupid Shuffle / It don’t matter if you’re young or you’re old / We gon' show you how it go.”

 
8 of 20

“Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)” by Marcia Griffiths

“Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)” by Marcia Griffiths
Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagic

Not too many artists can say they popularized a line dance that is performed to different songs, but Marcia Griffiths can. Back in 1983, Griffiths released her hit song “Electric Boogie” which popularized the Electric Slide dance routine. Nowadays, people perform the Electric Slide to different songs including the Maze and Frankie Beverly hit “Before I Let Go.” 

 
9 of 20

“Thriller” by Michael Jackson

“Thriller” by Michael Jackson
Pete Still/Redferns

If there’s any artist that can make zombies look cool as they dance, it’s Michael Jackson. Granted, Jackson has a number of music videos with dance routines, but “Thriller” stands out with its iconic horror theme. The video may be a little scary to some viewers, which is probably why the song is popular during Halloween, but people still love showing off how much they know the zombie dance routine.

 
10 of 20

“Cha Cha Slide” by DJ Casper

“Cha Cha Slide” by DJ Casper
Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

For people who’ve attended birthday celebrations and wedding receptions, it’s evident that guests always love a fun line dance. In 2000, DJ Casper released his hit line dance “Cha Cha Slide” and it’s become one of the most popular dances at events everywhere. In the song, Casper is giving everyone directions from the different ways to turn and getting a little funky with their moves. 

 
11 of 20

“Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” by Silento

“Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” by Silento
Christopher Polk/Getty Images

In 2015, rapper Silento released his hit song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).” At the beginning of the music video, there are clips of people doing the dance, before Silento comes into the frame, rapping and dancing as well. He appears in a school gymnasium with people of all ages, particularly a lot of children performing the dance as well. It’s no wonder that the song was more popular among kid groups. 

 
12 of 20

“Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson

“Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson
Gie Knaeps/Getty Images

When people think of Janet Jackson’s iconic videos, one song that always ranks high on the list is her 1989 hit “Rhythm Nation.” In the song and video, Jackson wanted to show how people are more powerful when they’re unified. From being filmed in black and white, to the dancers wearing military-style fashions, to the dance routine featuring clean and sharp moves, it’s a routine that many Jackson fans adore.

 
13 of 20

“Swag Surfin’” by F.L.Y.

“Swag Surfin’” by F.L.Y.
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

In 2009, Fast Life Yungstaz released their debut single “Swag Surfin.’” The dance routine in the video showcases more moves that display swimming and wave motions. The “Swag Surfin’” dance has also become quite popular with the historically black college and university (HBCU) culture.

 
14 of 20

“Mashed Potato Time” by Dee Dee Sharp

“Mashed Potato Time” by Dee Dee Sharp
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Sometimes there are dance moves named after everyday things, such is the case with Dee Dee Sharp’s 1962 hit “Mashed Potato Time.” However, Sharp wasn’t the only artist with a song inspired by the dance; soul singer James Brown also had a song properly titled "(Do the) Mashed Potatoes.” 

 
15 of 20

“Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC

“Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC
KMazur/WireImage

The world of boy bands were on the rise in the '90s and 2000s, one of which being *NSYNC. The group released their sophomore album No Strings Attached, led by the hit single “Bye, Bye, Bye.” While the song is quite popular due to the lyrics, it’s the dance routine choreographed by Darrin Henson that takes it to another level.

 
16 of 20

“Stanky Legg” by GS Boyz

“Stanky Legg” by GS Boyz
Bennett Raglin/WireImage

In 2008, hip hop trio GS Boyz came onto the scene with their debut single “Stanky Legg.” Part of what made the song so popular was the dance associated with it. The “Stanky Legg” dance is all about extending one leg, rotating it in circular motion, and then doing the same move with the alternate leg.

 
17 of 20

“Walk It Out” by Unk

“Walk It Out” by Unk
Jemal Countess/WireImage for BET Network

In 2006, rapper Unk wanted to give fans a different way to walk with his hit song “Walk It Out.” Unk hails from the city of Atlanta, and at the time of him releasing his debut single, it was around the era where several artists were releasing dance-crazed songs. It’s not a line dance per se, but the “Walk It Out” dance is the cooler form of walking that people need to practice before they show it off on the dance floor.

 
18 of 20

“Teach Me How to Dougie” by Cali Swag District

“Teach Me How to Dougie” by Cali Swag District
Vivien Killilea/WireImage

Hip Hop group Cali Swag District wanted to show people a new dance with their 2010 debut single “Teach Me How To Dougie.” Not only is the production enticing for any listener, but when people learn the dance, they realize a lot of the movement is in their arms and shoulders, while the rest of body follows.

 
19 of 20

“The Hokey Pokey” by Ray Anthony

“The Hokey Pokey” by Ray Anthony
Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

There is no doubt that "The Hokey Pokey" is probably one of the most popular and simple line dances ever created. Thanks to bandleader Ray Anthony, he helped to make sure people would put their right and left feet in and out, and shaking their bodies all about. 

 
20 of 20

“Wobble” by V.I.C.

“Wobble” by V.I.C.
YouTube

In 2008, rapper V.I.C. released his hit song “Wobble.” Throughout the years, the song has been pretty popular at events thanks to its line dance. However, there are conflicting stories of who actually originated the “Wobble” line dance. 

Mya Singleton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Los Angeles. Her work has also been featured on The Sports Fan Journal and AXS. Feel free to follow her talking all things music on Twitter @MyaMelody7

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