The 1950s were a transformative decade for dance, marking a vibrant shift in styles and social expression. Fueled by the rise of television and the electrifying sounds of new music genres, 50s Dance became a worldwide phenomenon, capturing the energy and optimism of a generation. From lively partner dances to catchy novelty steps and engaging group routines, the dance floor became a stage for youthful exuberance and cultural change. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of 50s dance and discover the moves that defined a decade.
Teenagers performing the Hand Jive in a crowded coffee bar
The Soundtrack of a Generation: 1950s Music and Dance
Music in the 1950s was incredibly diverse and rapidly evolving, providing the rhythmic heartbeat for the decade’s dynamic dances. The post-war era saw a blend of established genres transitioning and exciting new sounds emerging, each influencing the way people moved and grooved. Television played a pivotal role, broadcasting musical performances and dance styles directly into homes, accelerating the spread of new trends and creating a shared cultural experience.
Swing: From Big Bands to Pop Vocals
Swing music, which had dominated the dance scene in the ’30s and ’40s, began to evolve in the 1950s. The era of large Swing orchestras started to wane, although many bands adapted by becoming studio orchestras for the burgeoning TV and radio industries. The focus shifted towards vocalists, with iconic singers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Judy Garland stepping into the limelight. While the big band sound diminished in mainstream popularity, the underlying Swing rhythms continued to influence emerging genres and dance styles.
Jazz: From Cool to Avant-Garde
Jazz music continued its journey of innovation in the 1950s. Starting with the “Cool Jazz” movement, characterized by smoother, more relaxed melodies and a sophisticated lounge vibe, jazz branched out into diverse directions. Artists like Miles Davis and Chet Baker epitomized this cool aesthetic. However, by the end of the decade, a reaction against traditional jazz structures arose, leading to the birth of “Free Jazz” or Avant-Garde Jazz. Pioneering figures like John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman pushed the boundaries of improvisation and experimentation, paving the way for future jazz evolutions. Throughout the decade, jazz remained a vital force, inspiring dancers with its complex rhythms and improvisational spirit. Key figures of 1950s Jazz include legends like Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and the captivating vocalist Nina Simone.
Blues: From the Delta to the City
The Blues, with its deep roots in African-American musical tradition, gained mainstream traction in the 1950s. The post-World War II migration of African Americans from the rural South to urban centers like Chicago and Memphis brought the blues to new audiences. This period saw the rise of distinct blues styles, including Chicago Blues, known for its electric guitar sound, and other regional variations. The raw emotion and storytelling in blues music resonated deeply, influencing not only music but also dance. Artists like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, and Howlin’ Wolf became icons, their music providing a soulful backdrop for dancers and laying the foundation for rock and roll. Chuck Berry, also deeply influenced by the blues, further bridged the gap to rock and roll, creating a sound that was both bluesy and undeniably rock.
Rock and Roll: A Musical Revolution
Rock and Roll exploded onto the scene in the 1950s, becoming a cultural phenomenon that redefined music and dance. A potent mix of Blues, Country, Gospel, and Jazz, Rock and Roll was energetic, rebellious, and undeniably danceable. Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley spearheaded this revolution, captivating teenagers and challenging societal norms. Rock and Roll wasn’t just music; it was a lifestyle, influencing fashion, language, and attitudes. Its infectious rhythms and driving beats sparked new dance crazes and transformed the dance floor into a space for youthful expression and liberation. The impact of Rock and Roll on 50s dance is undeniable, giving birth to countless variations and energetic styles.
Rockabilly: The Country Cousin of Rock and Roll
Rockabilly emerged as a distinct subgenre of Rock and Roll in the early 1950s, particularly in the Southern United States. Blending Rock and Roll with “hillbilly” Country music, Rockabilly retained the energy of rock and roll but with a strong country twang and influences from Bluegrass, Boogie Woogie, and Rhythm and Blues. Early Elvis Presley recordings, along with artists from Sun Records, are considered quintessential Rockabilly. Characterized by small bands, often featuring guitars, a double bass, and distinctive vocals, Rockabilly offered a raw and rootsy sound that was perfect for dancing. While sharing the dance floors with Rock and Roll, Rockabilly maintained its unique identity and contributed to the diverse dance landscape of the 1950s. Artists like Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis (who straddled both Rockabilly and Rock and Roll) were key figures in this genre.
Caribbean Rhythms: A Latin Craze
The 1950s also witnessed a surge in popularity for Latin American music and dance. Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, and Calypso rhythms swept across airwaves and dance floors, adding an exotic and vibrant dimension to the musical landscape. These lively Cuban and Caribbean sounds, with their intricate rhythms and infectious melodies, inspired new dance steps and infused existing genres like Rock and Roll and Pop with Latin flair. Artists like Pérez Prado, Tito Puente, Xavier Cugat, and Tito Rodríguez became synonymous with this Latin craze, bringing the heat and excitement of Caribbean dance to American audiences.
Strut Your Stuff: Popular 1950s Dance Styles
The dances of the 1950s mirrored the decade’s spirit: fun, innovative, and full of life. From partner dances demanding connection and skill to novelty dances designed for pure amusement and group dances fostering social interaction, there was a style for everyone to enjoy. These dances broke down barriers, encouraged participation, and became an integral part of the 1950s social scene.
Partner Dances: Dancing Cheek to Cheek (and More!)
Rock and Roll Dance: Beyond a Single Step
“Rock and Roll dance” is an umbrella term encompassing a wide array of dance styles performed to rock and roll music during the 1950s. Due to regional variations and evolving trends, pinpointing a single “Rock and Roll dance” is challenging. It’s more accurate to think of it as a family of dances, all sharing a common energy and adaptability to the dynamic rhythms of rock and roll. These dances were evolutions of earlier swing styles, adapted to the faster tempos and more pronounced beats of the new music. While terminology can be confusing, the core concept is clear: Rock and Roll music inspired energetic partner dances that encouraged improvisation, fun, and a break from traditional ballroom formality.
Jitterbug (Jive): Swing’s Energetic Offspring
The Jitterbug, also often called Jive, gained prominence in the 1930s and remained a popular dance throughout the 1950s. Considered a simplified and faster version of the Lindy Hop, the Jitterbug was perfectly suited to the up-tempo swing and early rock and roll music. Its energetic steps and improvisational nature made it a favorite on dance floors. Films like “Rock Around the Clock” and “Rock, Rock, Rock” showcased the Jitterbug to a new generation, further fueling its popularity and cementing its place as a quintessential 50s dance. The Jitterbug is characterized by its fast footwork, swinging movements, and playful partner interaction.
Boogie Woogie: Piano Rhythms to Footloose Fun
Boogie Woogie, while rooted in 1920s piano music, truly flourished as a dance in the 1950s, directly inspired by the rise of Rock and Roll. Like the Jitterbug, it draws from Swing dance traditions and is another descendant of the Lindy Hop. While adaptable to Boogie Woogie piano music, it’s also associated with energetic, driving rock and roll tunes. In the 1950s, it might have simply been called “Rock and Roll,” but today, Boogie Woogie is sometimes also referred to as “East Coast Swing.” This dance emphasizes quick footwork, a grounded style, and a playful, improvisational partnership, making it a high-energy and exciting dance form.
Calypso: Caribbean Cool on the Dance Floor
As Caribbean music gained popularity in the 1950s, dances like Mambo, Rumba, and Cha Cha Cha also found their way into the American dance scene. “Chalypso” was the name coined by the influential television program “American Bandstand” for a simplified version of the Cha Cha Cha that became popular among teenagers. Chalypso retained the partner dance format but was simplified for ease of learning and social dancing. Characterized by playful steps performed in a loose, open hold, Chalypso brought the relaxed and fun vibe of Caribbean dance to a wider audience.
Novelty Dances: Easy Steps, Big Fun
Novelty dances were a hallmark of the 1950s dance scene. These dances were typically simple, repetitive, and often humorous, designed for group participation and pure entertainment. They were easy to learn, making them perfect for parties and social gatherings, and many gained widespread popularity through television exposure.
Bunny Hop: Hop to the Beat
The Bunny Hop was a quintessential early 1950s party dance. Energetic and jumpy, yet incredibly simple with repetitive steps, it was ideal for getting everyone involved. Dancers formed a line, often mimicking a conga line, and performed a sequence of side steps and forward and backward jumps, all synchronized to the music. The Bunny Hop even had its own song with instructions embedded in the lyrics, further boosting its popularity and ensuring everyone could join in the fun.
Hand Jive: Dancing in Place
The Hand Jive emerged from a unique situation. In 1957, filmmaker Ken Russell documented London teenagers dancing in a crowded coffee bar. With limited space to move their feet, they invented a rhythmic hand-clapping choreography. This dance, requiring no partner and performable even while seated, quickly caught on. Just a year later, American artist Johnny Otis released “Willie and the Hand Jive,” featuring a recognizable Bo-Diddley beat, further popularizing the hand-centric dance craze in the United States and beyond.
Twist: Swivel and Shout!
The Twist became another massive novelty dance sensation of the late 1950s. Interestingly, songs were written in response to the Twist dance craze, not the other way around. Hank Ballard and Chubby Checker both released songs titled “The Twist” in 1959, after the dance had already taken hold. The Twist is a solo dance, incredibly simple to learn and perform. It involves swiveling the hips and ankles in a grinding motion, with minimal torso movement and arms mimicking the hip action. The Twist’s simplicity and liberating solo nature made it a global phenomenon, transcending age and dance skill.
Group Dances: Everybody on the Floor!
As Swing and Big Band dominance waned, traditional dance halls faced challenges in the 1950s. However, teenage enthusiasm for dance remained strong, and group dances surged in popularity, especially towards the end of the decade. Television played a crucial role in popularizing these new forms of social dance. Group dances offered a fresh, accessible alternative to partner dances. Their simplicity and easy-to-learn steps made them perfect for younger dancers and social gatherings, fostering a sense of community and shared fun on the dance floor.
The Stroll: Strutting in Lines
The Stroll originated in the late 1950s. It involves two lines, typically women facing men, forming a pathway. Couples would “stroll” down the passage to the music, then separate and rejoin the ends of their respective lines. “American Bandstand” showcased The Stroll in 1957, performed to the song of the same name by The Diamonds, propelling it to national fame. While variations exist today, the core concept of lined partners strolling and showcasing their style remains.
The Madison: Line Dancing Before Line Dancing
The Madison emerged as a “line dance” in the late 1950s in Ohio. Danced without partners in lines on the dance floor, The Madison follows a set choreography of steps and moves. Ray Bryant’s 1959 song “It’s Madison Time” even called out the dance steps within the lyrics, further solidifying the connection between the song and the dance. The Madison gained even greater popularity in the 1960s after its television appearances, becoming a classic example of an early line dance and showcasing the structured fun of group dance routines.
Hully Gully: Shake, Wiggle, and Groove
The origins of the Hully Gully are somewhat hazy. While a dance with the same name may have existed earlier, the 1950s Hully Gully is generally considered an unstructured group dance dating back to around 1959. The release of The Olympics’ song “(Baby,) Hully Gully” in 1959, with lyrics vaguely describing dance actions like “shaking” shoulders and “wiggling” knees, coincided with the dance’s emergence. The Hully Gully’s unstructured nature encouraged improvisation and individual expression within a group setting, contributing to its appeal as a fun and free-spirited social dance.
The Legacy of 50s Dance: Still Rockin’ Today
The music and 50s dance styles are far from relics of the past. Rock and Roll continues to thrive, and the energy, fashion, and spirit of the 1950s resonate with millions worldwide. The dances of this era, from the Jitterbug to the Twist, are still enjoyed at dance events, vintage gatherings, and social dance scenes globally.
The 1950s were a pivotal chapter in dance history, a time of innovation, liberation, and infectious fun. The dances born in this decade continue to bring joy and connection to people around the world, proving that the spirit of 50s dance is timeless and ever-evolving.
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