Dances are an important part of life and culture. They’ve influenced film and music, challenged social norms and traditions, horrified genteel society, and thrilled young people.
Some are short-lived and popular only for a season, while others endure throughout the decades. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular dances of all time:
The Tango
This classic dance has been around since the 1800s and is one of the most widely taught dance styles in the world. It’s a high-energy form of dance that uses upbeat current songs to create an exciting movement style.
Salsa
This dance originated in Cuba and draws on a number of Latin musical genres, including mambo, ruma, and danzon. It’s an energetic and free-style form of dancing that often incorporates non-partner dance moves.
Jitterbugging
The jitterbug craze of the 1950s is a fun way to dance with your partner. It combines movements from both swing and ballroom dancing into one unique form.
Broadway Dance
During the 1920s, stage directors started to use dance as a tool to advance their loosely plotted narratives. It eventually merged with jazz dance and became more intricate.
Some of these dances have become a mainstay in American culture, such as the foxtrot and the limbo. Others have exploded into new dance styles, such as house dancing, which incorporates Latin and soul influences. And there are some that have been brought to the global spotlight, like South Korean singer PSY’s 2012 hit song “Gangnam Style,” which broke over a billion views online.
