Kinda Country Line Dancing © 2008 All Rights Reserved - Site Designed and Maintained By Derek Robinson - Site Updated on 15.01.2012
LINE DANCING, HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN? I have always been intrigued by the mystery surrounding the origins of line dancing. I have never believed that it all began with cowboys out on the range dancing on their own around a camp fire because there were no women available to dance with. Yes, I have heard this explanation aired. I’m sure some of the cowboys and ranch hands of the old west did dance around a camp fire after their daily chores, but possibly it was their way of letting off steam after a hard days ‘round up’ on the prairie, and was more than likely fuelled by a considerable input of liquor than by expressing their artistic nature through a line dance!
I have researched the subject recently and the more I delve, the more complicated and complex the real origins of line dancing in the form that we know it become; and I find it impossible to come to any kind of logical conclusion. I will tell you a few of the ideas that I have discovered, some may be true, some may not be true and be merely a figment of someone’s imagination; it’s for you to decide.
What I am more sure about is the links that I personally can see between earlier dance ‘fads’ styles and rhythms that I have experienced during my lifetime.
I have been dancing in one form or another for well over 60 years, that is apart from a break in the 1950’s when King and Country called for me to do my National Service. Even then, on the parade ground marching to music, in lines and columns resembled line dancing in many ways, although my old Drill Sergeant never saw it quite like that I’m sure! When I think back, many of the movements and steps on the parade ground were very similar to certain steps that are used by choreographers today. We had to keep a certain space apart; and keep in straight lines and columns just like in line dancing; (well that’s how we did it in line dancing a few years ago!) An ‘about turn’ whilst marching consisted of several ‘hitch’ steps; and what is now generally known as a ‘pivot’ turn started out as a ‘military turn’, and for many years was known by that term in line dancing language. (I wonder if my Drill Sergeant turned to choreography after the army?) Woe betide any soldier that managed to get out of step; yes even some of Britain's elite fighting forces had trouble distinguishing between their left and right feet. Need I say more!! The way we were taught to correct ‘being out of step’ in mid march was by a command called ‘change step’, which was a kind of ‘shuffle’ step. I guess you’re getting the hang of it now!
As far as I have been able to determine from research Line Dances began sometime around BC in one form or another, and has been around since recorded time. In what form I have no idea as I was not around then. (No comments required thank you!) I suppose it’s possible that Adam and Eve perhaps did an early version of ‘The Madison’? Or Tush Push? - Whoops!
What we do today possibly evolved from the old "Contra" dances that were very popular in Victorian England and the New England States of America from the early 1800's. Contra style dances are still popular but in a slightly different form. In the 1800's two lines would form, men on one side, women on the other. The partners would join between the two lines and generally do their own routine down the middle. When they reached the end of the lines, they parted and moved back into their respective lines and the next couple would begin. When they reached the end, they would rejoin their respective lines. In this way, the restrictions of the era were upheld: men and women did not have much physical contact, even when dancing, and were supervised at all times.
I’ve seen some videos of African tribes in line dance formation doing steps similar to what we do today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bboJsFVa58. There were similar dances done by the American Indian. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwIwd_VKim8 (The guy in middle the looks a bit like me.) And no doubt Eskimos could do a fancy grapevine if it were known.
The early settlers in America did bring with them their own national traditions of dancing that form the basis of what we all enjoy today. The original Schottische arrived from Poland. German settlers introduced "clogging", while Cajun influences not surprisingly can be laid squarely at the doorstep of the French. None of these guys did the Tush Push, Cajun Mambo Walk or Boot Scootin’ Boogie. In the first place, they wouldn't have known what a "tush" was. You have to take a leap into this century to discover the first sightings of line dance, which in its recognisable form swung in on the coat tails of rock and roll. There emerged what can be described as "fad" dances like the Stroll and later the Madison, and as disco music took hold in the 70’s the Hustle craze started followed by a distinct line dance called the Bus Stop, which closely resembled the Electric Slide. Although line dancing is now associated mainly with country music, it has many similarities to all sorts of folk dances and folk music. Line dances have also been choreographed for many styles of popular music, including pop, swing, rock and roll, disco, latin and jazz. One strong example of this is the use of line dancing in the 1977 film "Saturday Night Fever," featuring John Travolta in the lead. The "Stroll" from back in the 1940's is a good example of this style of dance.
As ’fad’ dances like the Stroll and later the Madison, and disco music took hold in the 70s the Hustle craze started followed by a distinct line dance called the Bus Stop, which closely resembled the Electric Slide. The film industry was an important boost, classically Grease (remember the Hand Jive?) and the movie Urban Cowboy in the early 80’s, which sparked a trend in country clubs doing Cotton Eyed Joe, Two Step, Waltz, Swing and about three or four line dances. If you had taken the floor back then, most likely you would have found yourself learning the Tush Push, Four Corners, the Stomp, and something very like Elvira or Texas Freeze. Originally line dances were choreographed to all kinds of music. The Tush Push, written by Jim Ferrazzano in 1980, was first intended for big band music at a speed of 140 bpm! A lot of dances were done as folk dances or party mixers that were adapted to country music and given country titles by ex-ballroom teachers. The Cowboy Charleston was by no means a country dance, and neither was the Alley Cat. The Barn Dance Mixer (Wild, Wild, West) was a Merengue or Paso Doble party mixer.
Line dance really became popular in the UK when Billy Ray Cyrus wrote Achy Breaky Heart in 1992. The line dance ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ choreographed by Melanie Greenwood was written to promote the song. Five years later and Achy Breaky Heart has snowballed into the biggest dance craze ever, line dancing choreographed to country music. Not the legacy of bold frontier settlers with the American Dream in their hearts, but an ingenious ploy to sell records. Bang goes the fairy tale. Enjoyable, straightforward to learn and not requiring a partner, line dance was bound to spread. In many countries, particularly across continental Europe, the US military laid the first foundations, sharing line and country dance with the locals. A long standing affection for country music in the UK was a powerful springboard, and line dance rapidly became a part of the holiday camp country music scene.
We've now gone an international full circle, with different nations of dancers now adding their own ideas and interpretations, just like they've always done. That's the best way to see line dance and its history, as a family of dance styles, pieced together from a jigsaw puzzle of nations. The cowboy round the camp fire may make a better story line. You don't have to believe it, but you can if you wish.
To conclude this story. I have gleaned most of the information above from some great web sites on the subject; and I thank the authors, who I am sure do not mind me passing on some of their findings and research to you. Which in turn now leads me to my latest dance ‘Madison Time’, which can be seen on our ‘Home’ page. My idea for the dance came to mind whilst watching the Madison dance style in the film ‘Hairspray’:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MiMrtI3aQ4. By watching both videos I’m sure will see the connection between a dance that originated around about 1950 and line dancing as we know it today.
Derek Robinson