Have you ever found yourself humming a tune with the lyrics, “There’s a place in France where the naked ladies dance”? This catchy, somewhat suggestive ditty has been around for ages, sparking curiosity about its origins and the story behind the seemingly exotic melody. Many might assume a French or even Middle Eastern heritage for a song about a “Ladies Naked Dance,” but the real story is far more surprising, rooted in American history and a savvy showman.
The popular image conjured by the phrase “ladies naked dance” might lead one to imagine Parisian cabarets or perhaps ancient Egyptian rituals. However, the true birthplace of this song is not as far-flung as you might think. We need to travel back to Chicago in 1893, during the World’s Columbian Exposition. While the fair showcased high-minded exhibits, the real entertainment, at least for many, was happening just outside the main grounds at the Midway Plaisance. This was an amusement park, a precursor to modern-day state fair midways, and it was here that our song’s story truly begins.
Enter Sol Bloom, a Californian impresario with a knack for entertainment. Bloom was tasked with setting up attractions for the Midway, and he struck gold with a traveling Algerian village he had acquired. This village, previously featured at the Paris Exposition of 1889, became a sensation, primarily because it introduced belly dancing to the American public. For the audiences of 1893, this was an entirely new and captivating art form, a spectacle that certainly hinted at the exotic and perhaps even the suggestive “ladies naked dance” alluded to in later lyrical interpretations of the melody.
The allure of these dancers, performing what could be considered a form of “ladies naked dance” in the eyes of the era, was undeniable. The Press Club of Chicago, eager to witness this novelty, invited Bloom to bring some of his dancers for a private performance. However, upon arrival, a problem arose: the club’s pianist lacked suitable music. This is where the legend of our song takes another turn. Bloom claimed he hummed the now-familiar tune, the very one associated with “ladies naked dance,” and then played it on the piano. The melody resonated, and lacking copyright protection, it was quickly picked up by Tin Pan Alley songwriters and incorporated into various compositions. It even became the go-to musical backdrop for cartoon depictions of snake charming and other “exotic” scenes. Interestingly, when paired with more risqué lyrics – and there are many versions, often of dubious origin – the song is frequently known as the “Hootchy-Kootchy Dance,” a term that further reinforces the “ladies naked dance” association.
While Bloom’s self-proclaimed origin story might be a bit embellished, a more credible scenario suggests he adapted or was inspired by a traditional Algerian melody played by the performers themselves. Songwriters who witnessed the Midway show likely did the same, contributing to the song’s widespread adoption. Music historian James J. Fuld notes in his Book of World-Famous Music that the opening notes of the tune bear a striking resemblance to “Colin Prend Sa Hotte,” a song in a French songbook dating back to 1719. Further digging reveals that a 19th-century collection of old tunes, Echos du Temps Passé, describes “Colin Prend Sa Hotte” as a dance song and points out the melody’s similarity to an Algerian or Arabic tune known as Kradoutja, purportedly popular in France since 1600. While concrete proof of Kradoutja remains elusive, the connections suggest a long and winding path for this melody.
Regardless of the precise musical lineage, Sol Bloom undeniably played a pivotal role in popularizing the tune in America. He brought the Algerian village and its captivating dancers, who, in the public imagination, became synonymous with the enticing idea of a “ladies naked dance,” to the American stage. So, the next time you hear the song and think of exotic locales and “ladies naked dance,” remember its surprising origin: not France, not Egypt, but Chicago’s vibrant and slightly scandalous Midway of 1893, all thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of Sol Bloom.
