Dance is the most fluid type of art in existence. Some form of dance has been around almost as long as human life. It was used in rituals by Egypt and India all the way back in 3300 B.C. Carving out cultures, dating time periods, and bringing people together is one of the most important aspects of dance. Dance has evolved through time, and each generation its own unique style.
The 1900s, however, is known for its dance evolution through the years.
Paris actually brought over the dance wave of the 1920s after World War I. The war was over, and America was about to enter its glory days. Dances range from the shimmy to the waltz, which is still used today in competitions, stage production, or TV shows like “Dancing with the Stars.” Flappers rebelled against the older generation and were the first young women who pushed against boundaries and fought for economic freedom for women at the time.
Dance clubs popped up everywhere as a place for people to mingle, dance, and drink since prohibition was well on its way. Jazz, which was started by African Americans, played through the streets almost every night as people danced till they dropped. The ‘20s is one of the most influential decades in American dance history.
The 1930s and ‘40s swung onto the dance scene with the Lindy hop, the boogie-woogie, and other swing dances of the time. Swing dance wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the brilliant idea to combine swing music and jazz.
At this time, the Great Depression hit, and many people were suffering. This is when people turned to dance as a way to escape from reality. Professional ballroom dancing was becoming a more popular form of entertainment.
This was a critical time for dance because it showed people could use dance as an outlet, and the mixture of various types of dance to give jazz, tap, and ballroom. However, it was a swing dance that dug into the significance of this era.
The rock and roll era was one many would never forget. The rebellious acts shown by the 20’s flapper was rivaled by the teens of the 1950 and ‘60s. The song “That’s All Right” was released in 1954, which launched Elvis Presley’s career and paved his road to stardom.
The influences of movies like “Grease” had a major role in not only music but fashion. Poodle skirts and leather jackets mixed with the Bunny Hop left a stamp on dance history still seen today.
The 60s was the birth of new thinking. Teenagers breaking their parents’ tradition and dancing to the beat of their own drums. The Beatles and “West Side Story” had come along by this time, setting up the 60s as one of the most iconic dance eras. The twist caught on because of a song written by African American musician Hank Ballard. The song got back to the host of the “American Bandstand” TV show, making the song one of the most popular songs and dances of the decade.
Then it was goodbye to the Beatles and welcome the neon lights and upbeat moves of the 70s. Before the 70s, disco remained underground. The influence of Latin dances helped form the disco generation.
Popular Latin dances such as the samba and tango got the ball rolling for disco. Disco was shunned until the late 70s because of its risque expression. Eventually, it was accepted through several artists along with the movie “Saturday Night Fever”. Clubs back then were called discotheques, originating in Paris while Nazis camped in France. Laws that were put in place prevented live music, leaving people with jazz records.
The hustle took effect, and dances like YMCA are still around. About this time, The Jackson 5 had taken the stage introducing all kinds of dances and reaching various age groups. However, the limelight of disco ended with the 70s
One of the most iconic decades of music is bound to have a dance history to match. Bands like Led Zeppelin, Mötley Crüe, AC/DC, Queen and Fleetwood Mac, and artists like Micheal Jackson, Elton John, Madonna, and Lionel Richie music broke boundaries and set the bar for music today.
By the 80s, the film “Dirty Dancing” introduced new dance styles like lambada, which comes from Brazilian roots and was very fast-paced. The world of heavy metal and punk came to life in the era. KISS and Iron Maiden were defining features for this time in the 80s as people headbanged their way through the decade – as well as Moonwalked. Micheal Jackson, again making history, made the moonwalk one of the hottest dances of the era.
The 90s definitely ended the century with a bang. Hip hop took off, and the big names of the time were MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, and the Spice Girls. The defining point of the 90s were line dances like the Macarena, the Electric Slide, and of course, the Cha-Cha Slide.
The techno scene of the 90s came from the city of Ibiza as clubs started appearing and beats from the music appeared in songs by Janet Jackson. MTV took over television screens, creating a diverse universe for all kinds of music. Partner dancing was deemed “cool” again.
The revival of swing was also another major part of the decade. This generation has left the biggest impact on people today, from the music to the dances.
The 2000 and 2010s can be classified as the perfect blend of hip hop and pop. Brittney Spears, Soulja Boy, and Taylor Swift are prevalent artists known for very different music types. The dances of the time vary as well. The 2000s would not be the same without Singles Ladies and Crank That. The influence of many groups, such as NSYNC, had been one of the defining points at this time.
The 2010s is known for its boy band craze. People can’t look back at the 2010s without including Big Time Rush in the memory. The 2010s is also one of the most rapid-growing of the decades. No one would think that the Dougie and Renegade are a part of the same time period, but that makes the 2010s so special.
Dance has been known as a form of expression throughout the decades, especially for teenagers. From the waltz to swing, dancing became a form of communication and expression.
Of course dance wouldn’t be what it is without the music. No one wants to moonwalk to ballroom music. They go together. The reason why each decade is distinct is because of the music played during the time.
The 1980s is known for classic rock, while the ‘90s was famous for rap music.
Dance has been molded through time and continues to be today. People now don’t go out every night and do the Twist. Just like in 20 years, the dance trends will be totally different.
It’s the younger generation that turns it into their own. Who knows what the rest of the 2000s will be remembered for.