The timeless “A Charlie Brown Christmas Special” from 1965 gifted us not just festive cheer but also an iconic dance scene set to the unforgettable “Linus & Lucy” by The Vince Guaraldi Trio. This scene sparked a debate as enduring as the special itself: who in the Peanuts gang truly boasts the best dance moves?
Inspired by this age-old question, we delve into a fun ranking of the Peanuts characters’ dancing abilities. Forget technical prowess; we’re judging purely on who brings the most joy and personality to their Peanuts Dance. Let’s explore the lineup, from the hesitant to the exuberant, and decide who we’d most want to join in a Peanuts dance party.
11. Sally (30 percent)
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Sally, bless her heart, embodies the spirit of trying. As Walt aptly notes, “Sally is trying.” There’s an endearing quality to her slightly awkward yet enthusiastic movements. Leah observes, “She’s kind of in her own space, having a good time but not drawing me in.” Her dance is a basic one-two step, as Walt describes, “Nice little one-two step, you know? Basic moves, trucking right along. Go Sally. We have all been there.” Sally’s dance is relatable; it’s the dance of someone enjoying themselves without pretense, a pure expression of joy, even if it’s not technically dazzling. She represents the every-person who finds happiness in simple rhythms.
10. The Girl in Green (30 percent)
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The girl in green captures a familiar dance floor persona: the hesitant participant. Leah points out, “These are pretty hesitant moves, but if she did this with a little more force, she could be rocking a bullfighting/paso doble thing.” There’s potential there, a hint of something more if she could just unleash it. Walt’s commentary resonates deeply, “Right, so I have a specific love for the girl in green, mainly because I, like most people, have been to a middle school dance. This is the dance that you do before your friend in the eighth grade tells you to stop using your arms so much.” Her moves are the epitome of middle school dance awkwardness, the uncertainty of youth finding its rhythm. Walt’s confession, “My default was ‘I want to punch the air, but the air right above my head, in particular,'” perfectly encapsulates this relatable stage of dance development.
9. Pig-Pen (33 percent)
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Pig-Pen brings a unique energy to the Peanuts dance floor: joyful abandon, albeit with a signature dust cloud. Leah acknowledges, “On the one hand, you get joyful abandon (plus he’s a musician). On the other hand, you get a dirt cloud even worse than when I hang around smoker friends.” His dance is unrestrained, full of spirit, and undeniably Pig-Pen. Walt wonders if the party theme disadvantaged him, “I worry Pig-Pen may have been disadvantaged by the question.” Leah agrees, “How so?” Walt elaborates, “We asked, ‘who would you most like to party with?’ And the answer is never the filthy bassist, you know?” Despite his infectious enthusiasm and musical talent, Pig-Pen’s inherent dirtiness might make him a less desirable dance partner, proving that even in Peanuts dance rankings, social dynamics play a role.
8. Schroeder (41 percent)
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Schroeder’s dance is an exercise in cool detachment. Leah observes, “I mean, it’s clear Schroeder doesn’t want to party with us, so this 41 percent must be the ones who like ‘em coy.” His focus is solely on his piano, the dance happening almost as an afterthought, a byproduct of his musical passion. Walt’s witty remark, “’I’d never join any club that would have me as a member’ is Schroeder’s motto. As far as he is concerned, he’s just playing a bit of piano, the party just comes to him,” perfectly captures Schroeder’s aloof persona. He’s the reluctant participant, more interested in Beethoven than boogying. Leah concludes, “Personally, I’d leave him to Lucy,” highlighting Schroeder’s lack of engagement with the dance party itself.
7. Linus (48 percent)
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Linus brings a surprising level of engagement to his Peanuts dance, blanket in tow. Walt declares, “Now we’re getting somewhere. Linus knows what’s up. This is exactly how I dance to ‘Get Low.’” There’s an unpolished yet committed energy to his moves. Leah sees potential for partnership, “Gotta say, I think there are some good opportunities for partner dance with the blanket. I have some swing moves I could adapt.” The blanket adds a unique element, suggesting improvisational partner dance possibilities. Walt sums up Linus’s appeal, “Unpolished, but going for it. I think Linus is underrated.” Leah offers a generous invitation, “I’ll party with him if our readers won’t,” acknowledging Linus’s underrated dance charm and willingness to participate.
6. The Girl with Red Hair (49 percent)
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The girl with red hair, often assumed to be Frieda due to her distinctive hair, dances with unrestrained exuberance. Leah, identifying with her, says, “I am, of course, in favor of Frieda, because like her I have naturally curly hair. Unlike her, I have (I think) other distinguishing traits.” There’s a joyful, almost wild energy to her movements. Walt humorously describes her dance, “She looks like she’s swinging a person around but forgot to get a person. Appropriately rated.” Her dance is big, bold, and full of energy, even if it lacks a clear partner or direction. Leah admires her spirit, “I am a fan of her exuberance. Minimalism is only for experts,” highlighting the charm of her uninhibited approach to Peanuts dance.
5. The Dude in Green (54 percent)
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The dude in green is the quintessential showman of the Peanuts dance floor. Walt expresses admiration, “I love this dude.” Leah acknowledges his skill but questions his party dance compatibility, “Nice moves, but feels more like a soloist than someone I’m going to dance with.” He’s the dancer who commands attention, perfect for center stage. Walt elaborates on his solo star quality, “Right, like when a random circle opens up on the dance floor, you know this guy would think ‘my moment has arrived,’ and just slay it in the center.” Leah agrees, “Exactly. But not the guy I want to spend the whole party with.” He’s the dance floor virtuoso, more interested in showcasing his moves than connecting with others. Walt’s humorous, fabricated origin story, connecting him to Michael Jackson, “Michael Jackson was lost and alone in 1982, waiting for his next big dance, and then on comes ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas Special’ and presumably the rest is Moonwalk history. True story that I just made up,” adds to the character’s legendary dance persona.
4. Snoopy (59 percent)
snoopy
Snoopy, despite his iconic status, is considered overrated in this Peanuts dance ranking. Walt’s reaction is strong, “WAY OVERRATED.” Leah defends him slightly, “I mean, not as great here, but he’s got a pair of aviator goggles.” Snoopy’s dance, while energetic, seems disconnected from the music, more about his persona than the rhythm. Walt jokingly critiques his musical prop, “Leah, listen to the song ‘Linus and Lucy,’ there is not a guitar part.” Leah offers a humorous alternative explanation for the goggles, “He’s in deep cover to catch the Red Baron’s agents?” Walt continues the playful critique, “There are two strings on his guitar, Leah. This is a dog phoning it in. He shows up to your party and sits in the corner and says ‘Hey, do y’all know ‘Wonderwall’?’ and drinks all your Bud Heavy,” painting a picture of Snoopy as a less-than-ideal party guest despite his fame.
2 and 3. The Girls in Pink (64 percent and 65 percent)
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The twin girls in pink showcase synchronized Peanuts dance moves that are captivating and nuanced. Leah identifies them as “So, twins, I guess.” Walt initially jokes about twin stereotypes but acknowledges their dance prowess, “I normally hate arbitrarily lumping twins together — they’re two separate people with rich and distinct inner lives! — but this is either some twin coordination or a hungover animator.” Their coordinated movements are either sibling synergy or animator ingenuity, both impressive. Leah praises their moves, “They’ve got my favorite moves on the floor, so if anyone was going to be copy-and-pasted.” Walt elaborates on the depth of their dance, “There’s so much nuance in the moves! At first, you just think, ‘Oh, they’re waving their arms around,’ but then you see the footwork.” Leah highlights a specific detail, “The double taps!” Walt concludes by placing their dance ahead of its time, “This was ‘whip my hair back and forth’ decades before Willow dropped the track,” recognizing their innovative and energetic style.
1. The Guy in Orange (75 percent)
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The undisputed champion of Peanuts dance moves is the guy in orange. Leah admires his minimalist mastery, “See, this is the kind of dancer who can pull off minimalist moves.” His dance is understated yet incredibly effective, radiating effortless cool. Walt jokingly expresses a mix of admiration and caution, “The only reason I would not want this guy at my party is he would hook up with everyone.” His dance is so captivating it’s almost dangerous. Leah playfully questions Walt’s stance, “So, are you against meritocracy, Walt?” Walt clarifies, “Far from it, just intimidated by greatness. This man is a force of nature. Look at the footwork!” His moves are technically sound and full of charisma. Leah concludes by lamenting his anonymity, “It’s great top to bottom. But not as aggressively showy as the guy in green. If only we knew the name of this background guy to send him an invite to the office bash,” highlighting his unsung hero status in the Peanuts dance pantheon.
Happy Christmas!
