Land of a Thousand Dances

Do You Remember These Dance Tunes?

Popular 1960s soul musician Wilson Pickett had a hit with "Land of 1000 Dances" in 1966. How could anyone forget such memorable lyrics like "do the alligator" or "watch 'em work, ya'll"? As a later song said, they do not write them like that anymore. What makes
 songs instant dance hits is the music and the artists that perform them. Pickett had a raw voice, often screaming and rapping through his songs. He was also high energy and could work a crowd into a frenzy. Pickett's music was made for aerobics before aerobic exercise was invented. Rock n' Roll is not the only music that makes the U.S.A. the land of a thousand dances, but that is another article. How many of these dance tunes do you remember?

1957 "The Stroll" the Diamonds
"...well, rock my soul, how I love to stroll"

1958 "Willie & The Hand Jive" Johnny Otis
"...they're all diggin' that crazy beat"

1959 "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop" Little Anthony & the Imperials
"...along came a native girl, did a native dance"

1959 "Everybody Likes To Cha, Cha, Cha" Sam Cooke
"...if you let me take you by the hand, I'm gonna teach this dance to you"

1960 "The Hucklebuck" Chubby Checker
"...if you don't know how to do it, then you're outta luck"

1961 "Peppermint Twist" Joey Dee & the Starliters
"...a one, two, three, four, kick, one two three jump"

1961 "Pony Time" Chubby Checker
"...bobbity, boggity, boogity shoo"

1961 "The Fly" Chubby Checker
"...and then you buzz all around the floor"

1961 "The Majestic" Dion
"...man, it's the greatest dance you ever saw"

1961 "Bristol Stomp" the Dovells
"...it's got that groovy beat, that makes you stomp your feet"

1961 "The Fish" Bobby Rydell
"...it's a natural dance to do"

1962 "Limbo Rock" Chubby Checker
"...gonna do the limbo rock, all around the limbo clock"

1962 "Do The New Continental" the Dovells
"...this dance Is all brand new'

1962 "Popeye, The Hitchhiker"
"...and thumb your thumbs, that's how the Popeye dance is done"

1963 "The Monkey Time" Major Lance
"...now this dance that the people do, I don't know how it started"

1963 "Mickey's Monkey" the Miracles
"...came from out of town, he been spreadin this new dance all around"

Related information
  • they do not write 'em like that anymore
  • bobbity, boggity, boogity shoo
  • can you do it, can you do it, can you do it, can you do it, can you do it
 
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Valerie: Oh yeah, I remember all but the Duck. I had to cut this article down and had planned Part 2, using the cut info, but decided by lack of page views not to publish it.

Posted on 02/02/2008 at 2:02:18 PM

Yeah, the 60s dances were a lot of fun - more honorable mentions - The Locomotion, The Duck, The Swim, and how about the Freddie? That was a riot!

Posted on 02/01/2008 at 9:02:28 AM

Fun read!!! I loved it, Thanks!!

Posted on 12/23/2007 at 1:12:41 AM

very cool thanks ARTME-BABY

Posted on 12/19/2007 at 4:12:01 PM

Wow, okay honestly some of this is before my time, but I do recognize some of these, and they are definite goodies. Once again, I thank you for the detailed breakdowns you always give....AWESOME!!

Posted on 12/19/2007 at 4:12:35 AM

MS Medina: I just knew your honey would know all these tunes. You should see the original article! I did not mention in that, the Twist contest in the High School reunion I was not going to attend. Your hubby and I grew up not too far away in the same era which kind of accounts for our similar outlooks on life, especially music. When WTCA was going to put their radio station in the farm next door to my childhood home, I got all excited about a potential DJ career... My oldest daughter got a DJ license at 12. But her career choice, would be as a NY Yankee baseball announcer.

Posted on 12/19/2007 at 1:12:34 AM

Did Jacques give you this list,lol? Just kidding, but it does sound like the kind of music that he seems to like.Once upon a time I could actually do the twist and the pony, lol.

Posted on 12/18/2007 at 1:12:06 PM

A fantastic list; I remember them all. This article brings back wonderful memories. Loved this. 5 Stars!

Posted on 12/17/2007 at 10:12:55 PM

Party at Alyce's everyone! :D

Posted on 12/17/2007 at 9:12:10 PM

Very good collection. Nice article indeed.

Posted on 12/17/2007 at 9:12:23 AM

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