Throughout history, a variety of dances have gained massive popularity. Some of them have lasted for decades and others have quickly come and gone. In the modern era, social media has given rise to new dance fads that have swept the globe.
From the Macarena to the Gangnam Style, there has been no shortage of dances that have reached cult status. Some of them have even gone on to become cultural icons.
For example, when South Korean producer PSY broke over a billion views with his hit song Gangnam Style in 2012, it was no surprise that the dance he included in the video had everyone rolling around on the floor. The goofy hopping dance has since become a popular staple for many events, especially at weddings.
Other popular dances have a more complex origin. The ragtime craze of the late 19th century was one such example. While it was a performance dance associated with Minstrel shows, the more intoxicating rhythm of ragtime led to changes in many ballroom dances. The foxtrot is another example of this evolution. The dance has a complicated structure that requires practice to master.
In the 20th century, American Jazz roared through the dancing scene and helped develop many different styles. The Charleston, a partnered dance with spins and twists, emerged from prohibition-era improvisational shows like the Broadway show Runnin’ Wild. The Lindy Hop grew out of the Charleston and became a full-on partnered dance with multiple variations. The uptempo Collegiate Shag and the conservative, closed-position ballroom style of the Balboa also grew out of this era.
