Long before TikTok was around to show you how to get down, these songs with dance moves in the lyrics told you exactly what to do. From party classics like "Cha-Cha Slide" to hits that'll make your grandparents get up and shake their thing, these are 20 of our favorite instructional dance songs.
1. Watch Me
The hip-hop dance song "Watch Me" by Silento became a huge hit in 2015 when people around the world began uploading videos of themselves performing the dance steps in the song. Silento instructs listeners to whip it, nae nae, do the stanky leg, break their legs, bop, yule, do the Superman, and duff (in roughly that order).
2. Boot Scootin' Boogy
The blues-inflected country anthem "Boot Scootin' Boogy" by Brooks & Dunn has some great lyrical cues that work perfectly for dancing. Although this 1992 hit doesn't describe every dance step, it was written as a line dance, and it gives instructions for the biggest steps: "heel, toe, dosey doe," and "get down, turn around," which reminds dancers what moves to do during the most active part of the dance during the chorus. It's no surprise this song has become a legendary country line dance.
3. The Hokey Pokey
No list like this would be complete without "The Hokey Pokey," the kitschy novelty song recorded in 1949 by Larry LaPrise. Most people learn this fun and catchy dance as kids skating around the roller rink but still love it as adults.
4. Raise the Roof
Luke's popular hip-hop song "Raise The Roof" was released in 1998. The song's dance instructions allow free dance during the verses (with a few cues including slide to the left and slide to the right). But in each chorus, Luke gives specific instructions to put your hands up and "raise the roof." The end of each verse transitions into the dance move by instructing the listeners to pump their fists.
5. Cha-Cha Slide
DJ Casper's "Cha-Cha Slide" debuted in 1998 as a funky hip-hop aerobics song (with great call-to-dance cues). After a brief introduction, the rapper leads the audience into a specific series of moves that include clapping, hopping, stepping in certain directions, stomping, and hopping back in the wild card "Charlie Brown" move.
This song is so popular that we bet there's not a single school dance that hasn't played "Cha-Cha Slide" since 2000.
6. Juju on That Beat
The 2016 rap song "Juju on That Beat" by Zay Hilfigerrr and Zayion McCall was created to emulate other popular instructive hip-hop dance songs from the past.
It has its own dance step called the "Juju," but listeners are also instructed to do other moves at various times such as dipping, dropping, and doing the Running Man — a nod to retro dance hip-hop songs.
7. Cupid Shuffle
The hip-hop dance song "Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid was released in 2007 and follows in a long line of line dances like "Cha-Cha Slide" and "The Hustle." It even inspired some NFL players to adopt the song as their end zone dance, which got them fined. It includes instructions such as moving to the right, to the left, kicking, "walking it," and dipping down.
8. The Locomotion
"The Locomotion" is a golden oldie pop song by Little Eva. It's one of the earliest of these dance songs, being released in 1958. Little Eva instructs dancers to swing their hips, jump up, jump back, make a chain with the other dancers, and move around the dance floor like a train.
9. Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop
Little Anthony and The Imperials' "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop" was released in 1959, and it's been cemented as a golden oldie for its vintage sound.
It's one the earliest dance participation songs, with its specific dance steps explained in the third verse, which include moving the left foot up, the right back, bringing them together, and then gliding.
10. The Tootsee Roll
"The Tootsee Roll" by 69 Boyz was another 90s dance participation song that was played in just about every high school dance in the country. Its pop-flavored hip-hop sound gave it broad appeal, leading to the song becoming a mainstream hit in 1995. The song includes the familiar calls "To the left, to the left!" and "I feel a whoop comin' on!"
Related: 18 Catchy Songs About Getting Older to Keep Us Young at Heart
11. U-Turn
In 2001, iconic hip-hop performer Usher released a dance participation song called U-Turn. Although it wasn't his biggest hit, it's known for its dance instructions and nice groove.
The song begins with a nostalgic reflection on how hip-hop songs used to always have dances that went with them — and Usher has just the cure. He introduces a dance that includes putting your hands up, bending your knees, and turning around in a "u-turn" by bouncing in a circle.
12. Do the Bartman
We bet you didn't expect to see The Simpsons on our list, but here they are. "Do the Bartman" was a pop R&B-influenced song with dance steps that Bart Simpson (voiced by Nancy Cartwright) sang. It involves moving front to back, shaking, gliding, and other moves. The successful song spent significant time on the charts in 1991 and inspired another 90s hit show Family Matters to make their own song.
There's a lot of debate about whether Michael Jackson helped write this Simpson's hit song, but the credited songwriter Bryan Loren attests that his only contributions were backing vocals and the song's title.
13. The Urkel Dance
In the 90s TV show Family Matters, Steve Urkel created a dance and recorded a song to go with it called The Urkel. It's a silly song with a hip-hop style that includes instructions to bend your knees, stick out your pelvis, put your finger in the air, dip, and other comical Urkel-like motions. Interestingly, the dance was created in response to the popular "Do the Bartman."
14. The Time Warp
The 1973 rock song "Time Warp" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show became a popular dance participation song as the not-so-family-friendly cult film grew a midnight following. The steps involve stepping to the right, jumping to the left, putting your hand on your hips, and other moves.
Want to put your Time Warping skills to the test? Find your nearest Rocky Horror Picture Show midnight showing and join the crowd.
15. Harlem Shuffle
The 1963 pop oldies song "Harlem Shuffle" by Bob and Earl was another great dance song from the early 60s that became a hit for the shuffling that went along with the song. The steps involve stepping to the right and left, moving slow, doing the Monkey Shine, hitchhiking across the floor, riding the pony, and shaking your "tail feathers."
16. Peppermint Twist
Another golden oldies pop song, "Peppermint Twist" by Joey Dee & The Starliters, was released in 1961. It created a dance phenomenon with its instructions that include going round and round, up and down, kicking, and jumping.
17. Pop, Lock & Drop It
Play the first few bars of Huey's "Pop, Lock & Drop It" and millennials will jump up in unison. This 2006 smash hit was the dance craze of the year and instructed listeners everywhere to "pop, lock & drop" their bodies to the floor.
Swaying your hips side to side and then dropping down the floor and back up again is a dance combo that'll have millennials' knees cracking and backs aching like never before.
18. Land of 1000 Dances
Wilson Pickett's "Land of 1000 Dances" was a runaway dance smash that debuted in 1966. This is the most meta song of the lot, referencing such 1960s dance moves as the Alligator, the Twist, the Mashed Potato, the Pony, and more.
If you want a dance that will put you through your paces, put this one at the top of your playlist.
19. Mashed Potato Time
Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time" is one of the more quaint 60s dance songs on our list. Recorded in 1962, the song quickly introduces you to the latest dance craze called the Mashed Potato.
From "get[ting] up to the beat now" and "twist[ing] your feet now," this pop classic is more vague on directions than some dance songs. But, it led to one of the most memorable 60s dance moves, and with a little practice, you can whip up a mashed potato, too.
20. The Twist
Originally written in 1958, but recorded by Chubby Checker in 1960, "The Twist" is the quintessential dance track of the decade. Though the lyrics to "do the Twist" seem incredibly vague, they couldn't be more on the nose.
Simply, twist your hips with your knees bent and move your arms in the opposite direction of your hips. As far as dance moves go, it's much easier than most of the combos making their way across TikTok today.
You Don't Need Rhythm to Rock These Dance Songs
With decades' worth of songs with dance steps, you could easily spend most of the day learning the steps, dips, jumps, and twists included in these tunes. Thanks to these interactive bangers, party playlist planning just got a whole lot easier.
