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A significant number of US popular recordings between 1945 and 1975 were devoted to dance themes. Identifiable by either song title or lyrics that defined either dance steps or dancer roles, the recorded tunes were vehicles for high school sock hops, televisions American Bandstand, and wedding reception gyrations. The following discography features more than 300 recordings that defined the pre-disco period of American popular dance.
Americans dance. They danced before disco, before raves, and before hip hop. The recent appearance of the Cameo Parkway 1957-1967 (ABKCO, 2005) box set is a pleasant reminder of past dance trends including the Twist, Mashed Potato, Bristol Stomp, Limbo Rock, and Watusi. London's Ace label recently produced two volumes featuring US dance tunes under the title Land of 1000 Dances (1999, 2002). The recordings reprised in these two compilations were drawn from 1956-1966. They included dances such as the Bounce, Hully Gully, Jerk, Stroll, Shag, and Monkey. Prior to the rock era, of course, popular dance styles included the Waltz, Jitterbug, Swing, Hucklebuck, and Bossa Nova.
From 1945 to 1975, many songwriters and singers utilized record titles and song lyrics to attract dance enthusiasts. Band leaders beckoned and juke boxes blared. Songs with bouncy rhythms simultaneously promoted dancing and record sales. It is fascinating that wedding receptions, those multi-generational festivities of food, drink, and fun, continue to display the greatest variety of dance recordings. What marital celebration is complete without a polka, "The Bunny Hop," a square dance, "The Twist," a waltz, and several thumping disco numbers?
The following discography covers 30 years of dance tune recordings, from the end of the Second World War to the end of the Vietnam conflict. It features tunes from the Big Band Era as well as songs from pop, rock, and soul performers like James Brown, Duane Eddy, Smokey Robinson, Chubby Checker, the Isley Brothers, Johnny Otis, the Orlons, and Dee Dee Sharp. All entries address 78 or 45 r.p.m. recordings rather than album releases. Each citation features the dance song title and record number, plus the performing artist and year of release.
Dancing Styles and Dance Music
American social history is replete with dance references. The Charleston and Lindy Hop gave way to the Swing Era and the Hucklebuck. The...