WATCH: Top Texas Line Dances (And How To Do Them)
Don't know if you know this but National Line Dance week is in September! Yes! A week-long celebration of the songs that break the ice at a wedding or reunion that get people on the dance floor to take part in a group dance. Line Dance week is celebrated every second Monday in September and runs until Saturday. As a Mobile DJ for many years, I've done every event imaginable - weddings, reunions, birthday parties, Quinceaneras and even a funeral (don't ask). While I didn't play a line dance song at the funeral, at every other event a line dance was performed. I've been DJing so long I've seen a bunch come and go. I rarely play the Rolling Stones' "Harlem Shuffle" anymore, but in the mid 90's it was the go-to line dance. And, some really came and went fast...Mississippi Cha Cha anyone? How did it all start? Well, according to the line dance folklore, the "Electric Slide," released in the late 70's, was song that started the craze. So Crossroads what is the top line dance in the area? Well, despite all my experience, I decided to ask other DJs too. The regulars were there, but there were a few surprises. So, I've compiled my own list, consulted some other mobile DJs, checked with some professional wedding crashers, talked with some professional dancers and finally have the ultimate line dance list! Not only that, if you've never bothered to learn these incredible boot-stomping, booty- shaking gems -now is the time. I've included a little instruction video to help things along. So, this is educational too! Let's dance!
BOOT SCOOTIN' BOOGIE
Brooks and Dunn's 1991 hit is still a favorite on the dance floor. The dance itself has even been incorporated into other genres of music. At weddings, one of my goals is to entertain and play songs for everyone from 8 to 80. This song gets the job done. If you've never learned the "Boot Scootin' Boogie" - shame on you!
THE WOBBLE
It's the 2008 song that won't go away. V.I.C., a rapper who scored a hit the same year with "Get Silly," really hit it big with "The Wobble." The song is popular with everyone and works for every occasion with all types of crowds. Clocking in just over 5 minutes, it's also one of the few song you can't cut off. People need that last "Wait A Minute Now!" towards the end.
THE CUPID SHUFFLE
In 2007, Louisiana artist Cupid had everyone shuffling across the party dance floor with "The Cupid Shuffle." And, In 2021, Louisiana artist Cupid still has everyone shuffling across the party dance floor with "The Cupid Shuffle." Sometimes this one is little less harsh than the Wobble to kick the party off, so thank you Cupid! The dance moves aren't that hard either...
COPPERHEAD ROAD
Steve Earle's 1988 classic country/rock song about a Vietnam vet has had a long line dance shelf-life. It's bagpipe-y start is a call for all Copperoad-ers hit the dance floor. This dance works best with boots.
CHA CHA SLIDE
There's a lot of directions in the "Cha Cha Slide," but no one seems to mind. Most people fake the dance moves to you get to the easy "Cha Cha" part. I've played the dance remix version, but I think the original works best.
FOOTLOOSE
When I discuss this one with DJ JP from JP Productions the biggest questions was...which version do you play? Since about 2015, I've played the twangy Blake Shelton remake from the remake of the movie "Footloose" in 2011. Which ever one you hear - they still work.
MACARENA
AHHHHH Macarena! This was THE line dance of the mid 90s, but despite fading a bit in the early 2000s, the Macarena still works in the '20. I usually say at holiday parties, "This may be your only chance to do the Macarena this year." This usually gets people up on the dance floor...AHHHHH Macarena!
BUNNY HOP
Back in 2003, when the "Bunny Hop" was released, I was at radio station where we did a Bunny Hop Til You Drop contest. With the easy steps and mid tempo beat of the song, people bunny hopped for a long time. If you haven't done this one in awhile...check out the video...
ACHY BREAKY HEART
The first big hit for Billy Ray Cyrus was also a big line dance. How big?! Big enough to make our list. That's pretty big. I think Billy Ray's mullet was a big selling point. And, the dance is pretty simple...
RETURN OF THE MAC
JP (from JP Productions) informed me that one of my favorite songs from the 90s is a now line dance! Count me in! I'm going to watch the video to learn right now!
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