11 Catchiest Dance Crazes of the Last Few Decades

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Whether you like to shake it, work it or just plain move it, it’s fun to revisit some of the following dance crazes that seemingly had the whole world grooving for at least a few weeks. In fact, if you head out to a nightclub or wedding reception, you might still see some folks moving to these dances today. Some are laughably retro, while others are contemporary fads that will no doubt fade into nostalgia soon enough. Way back there was the Charleston, jitterbug, twist and the like, but since the 1980s there have been plenty of trendy ways to strut to music. So go ahead and boot-scoot down Memory Lane to see if you (or your parents) remember the following dance crazes.

1. Twerking

Twerking is a sexually provocative form of dance that seemed to reach its pinnacle when singer and actress Miley Cyrus twerked for Robin Thicke at the 2013 VMA show. The low squats and hip thrusts of twerking have been around years before Miley, but it may never be the same since the former Disney star brought the twerk into the spotlight. In fact, you might want to be careful where exactly you twerk; you might just find yourself kicked out of the prom.

2. Whip / Nae Nae

The tune “Watch Me (Whip Nae Nae)” was the hot debut of the rapper Silento that launched one of the latest hot dance crazes. It originated in Atlanta and the grooving moves are in the vein of hip hop. Feet are planted, hips sway side to side, and one hand is up in the air like you just don’t care. You can put your own spin on the Nae Nae, but the basics are not that complicated. We wonder how long this one’s staying power will be. Will it soon go down in history like the bump?

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3. Gangnam Style

Based on the popular hit single by Psy, the Gangnam Style dance put this South Korean entertainer’s moves on the international map. The catchy tune and accompanying choreography were a veritable internet sensation in 2012. Featuring steps that gallop, lasso, stretch, roll and pop, hardcore fans of the song love to dance along to the infectious tune.

4. Breakdancing

Breakdancing grew up with hip hop music in the streets of New York City during the mid-1970s. However, the break dance rage hit its full force during the 1980s when hip hop and rap music came into its own. It includes complicated moves like the windmill, popping and locking, the worm and back spins. Breakdancing isn’t for everyone; you need to be pretty limber and athletic or you might, you know, actually break something.

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5. Boot Scootin’ Boogie

For Texas-style line dancing, the Boot Scootin’ Boogie tops all. The dance includes 32 moves that are almost always performed to the Brooks and Dunn tune of the same name. One of the most popular line dances in the country and western genre of music, this dance takes some concentration and skill, but most people’s grandmas can pick it up after a round or two. Join the line and try it yourself sometime. Follow the others and you’ll get the hang of it eventually.

6. Walk Like an Egyptian

When the girl band known as The Bangles released “Walk Like an Egyptian” back in 1986, everyone was walking like a pharaoh of old. Released from the album “Different Light”, the song launched the band to super-stardom. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much talent to walk like an Egyptian; just some hand angles and a head bop, Cleopatra style.

7. Macarena

Performed by Los del Rio, “Macarena” was released in 1995 and inspired a corny dance of the same name – right up there with the Chicken Dance as a cheesy wedding reception favorite. This one-hit wonder captivated dancers with its Latin grooves and sexy beat. In fact, the song and dance got so big during the time of the 1996 Democratic Convention, that even candidate Al Gore joked about doing it.

8. The Carleton

Alfonso Ribeiro’s character on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air had some big moves that have become an iconic often-mocked 90s style groove. The bigger the arm moves and the more exaggerated the side-to-side shimmy, the better. The actor worked “the Carleton” into his routines when he participated on Dancing with the Stars and he won the mirror ball trophy.

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9. The Dougie

Just slick back your hair with your hand and you’ll be a hip hop dancing machine. 1980s rapper Doug E. Fresh created his signature move, and in 2007 Lil’ Wil breathed new life into it with the song “My Dougie”. It’s best done with a little side swaying swagger.

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10. Vogue

Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it! Always looking for the next big thing, Madonna introduced this underground house music dance form to the world after she saw it happening at New York’s Sound Factory. It has a stylized choreography that you can ham up with various face-framing arm movements. The award-winning black and white video for the song is considered one of the greatest of all time.

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11. Moonwalk

When Michael Jackson first did his moonwalk during a televised performance of his hit song “Billy Jean,” he lit up the stage and turned on the world to his signature move. Everyone tried to moonwalk after they saw the King of Pop perform the fluid move on stage and in videos. One of the most popular dance crazes of the 1980s, the moonwalk is best performed in a red leather jacket, black leather pants and a sequined glove, of course.

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