Line dancing is popular at nightclubs, weddings, and other events. There’s something about dancing in sync with everyone else we love, so we searched for line dance songs that will make you want to get up and dance.
From country to hip-hop, here’s a list of the 21 best line dance songs:
1. Electric Boogie – Marcia Griffiths
The Electric Boogie, better known as the Electric Slide, is one of the most popular line dances. This line dance originated in 1976 when choreographer Richard L. Silver first heard a sample of “Electric Boogie.” This basic line dance is simple and easy to learn. People tend to rush out of their chairs to the dance floor when this comes on. We can’t help but boogie-woogie when we hear the first few notes of this tune.
Next: Top 1970s dance songs (our playlist)
2. Cha-Cha Slide – Mr. C The Slide Man
Choreographed by a popular DJ in Chicago, Mr. C The Slide Man, also known as DJ Casper, this line dance is peppy, upbeat, and fun. The Cha-Cha Slide originated as a fitness dance routine in 1996, but in 1998, Mr. C took his dance moves to the next level and created the song “The Casper Slide Part 1.” In 2000, the version of the song most people know today was released. It has been played at proms, dance clubs, weddings, and other events ever since. We love to cha-cha real smooth to the beat.
Next: The best 90s rap songs (our playlist)
3. Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix) – Los Del Rio
“Macarena” was originally released in 1993 and remixed by the Bayside Boys in 1995. A year later, the song and line dance had become internationally popular. People everywhere were moving their hands and shaking their hips to it. We love the simplicity of this dance. Comprised of a few hand movements, hip shakes, a jump, and a clap, this dance is so easy a monkey could do it.
Next: The greatest dance songs from the 1990s
4. YMCA – Village People
Many people know the moves to the chorus of “YMCA” by the Village People. You simply move your hands to form the shapes of the letters, but you might not know that there is a line dance that goes with the rest of the song. Luckily, it’s not complicated and adds more fun to the dance.
Next: Our list of the best gay songs for LGBTQ pride
5. Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex
Though the song “Cotton Eye Joe” has been around since 1861, it didn’t become a popular line dance song worldwide until the Swedish band Rednex recorded it in 1994. Since then, groups at weddings and parties worldwide have been moving their feet to this catchy diddy full of banjos and fiddles.
Next: Full meaning and history behind “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex
6. Apache (Jump On It) – The Sugarhill Gang
If you want to get your heart pumping, try to keep up with the moves to the dance that goes with The Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache (Jump On It).” It has some slow movements that involve moving the hips to the beat and some jumping movements that count as cardio. It’s also difficult not to jump on the chance to do this dance when the opportunity arises.
7. The Cupid Shuffle – Cupid
Released in 2007, “The Cupid Shuffle” inspired a popular line dance of the same name. We think this movie is so popular because the song is catchy and the moves are easy to do. Once you get flowing, the rhythm takes over. We would argue that this is one of the most popular line dances for weddings and dances.
Next: Top dance songs of the 2000s (our playlist)
8. Wobble – V.I.C.
The song “Wobble” by V.I.C. was released in 2008 and quickly gained popularity and inspired a dance move of the same name that was created in 2011. This fun line dance gives you a great leg workout since you are bending your knees through most of it to “wobble” back and forth. Wobble baby, wobble baby because we love the get down to The Wobble on the dance floor.
9. Boot Scootin’ Boogie – Brooks & Dunn
This country tune isn’t just for karaoke. The popular song by Brooks & Dunn, released in 1990, inspired a line dance loved by many. It is fairly easy to learn, so it is a great option for beginner line dancers. We love this move because of its simplicity and the fact that it’s just fun.
10. The Hustle – Van McCoy
While The Hustle is a dance that originated in the 1970s, it grew in popularity when the song of the same name was released in 1975 and the movie, Saturday Night Fever, premiered in 1977. Both featured this flashy and fun six-count line dance, making it a popular occurrence at nightclubs and discotheques in the 70s and beyond.
11. Thriller – Michael Jackson
The King of Pop’s famous dance moves from the “Thriller” music video were practiced by children and adults worldwide when it was released in 1983. Our favorite instance of this line dance is in the adorably romantic comedy 13 Going On 30. Michael Jackson was an international superstar, and his Thriller dance is still mimicked today.
Next: Iconic dance songs from the 1980s
12. Copperhead Road – Steve Earle
Anytime you go somewhere where line dancing is a staple, you will likely hear “Copperhead Road” by Steve Earle and see a group of people swarm the dance floor to perform the stomping dance that accompanies it. While it was released in 1988, there is no true origin story for the dance, so we don’t know where it came from, but we sure do enjoy moving our feet to it.
13. Gangnam Style – PSY
This smash hit by PSY was released in 2012, and the subsequent music video became a dance sensation. He performs a move that is now known around the world. This iconic “horsey” action is fun and easy to do, making this one of our line dancing favorites.
14. The Twist – Chubby Checker
Though originally by Hank Ballard, “The Twist” didn’t become popular until Chubby Checker performed it while doing the iconic dance on American Bandstand in 1960. After that, it quickly became a hit, inspiring teens worldwide to twist their hips in sync.
15. Walk it Out – UNK
This popular song was released in 2006, and people quickly started doing a line dance to match the song. The move was inspired by popular Atlanta artist B.H.I. in a song called “Poole Palace,” but it didn’t take off until the release of “Walk It Out.” Now, we all walk it out to Unk’s song at the club.
16. Crank That (Soulja Boy) – Soulja Boy Tell’em
This song was released in 2007, and thanks to the video, a new line dance was born. The video features multiple people bouncing back and forth to “Crank That” and do the Superman. It is a fun, upbeat dance enjoyed by clubs, weddings, and dance-goers alike.
17. Good Time – Alan Jackson
Released in 2008, Alan Jackson’s “Good Time” isn’t just a good song; it inspired country music lovers everywhere to learn the line dance featured in the music video. It is easy to learn and fun to do, plus we just love the tune. If you’re ready to have a good time, this is the line dance for you.
18. The Hokey Pokey – Ray Anthony
We have all heard of “The Hokey Pokey” since childhood. Some may not know the song by Ray Anthony that was released in 1953, but not everyone knows the true origins of this line dance go back to British folk dance in 1826.
Next: Our list of the best dance songs for kids (top picks)
19. Wop – J. Dash
The Wop has an interesting origin story because while many line dances were created in response to a song, “Wop” was created because J. Dash and his friends had some dance moves they didn’t feel fit with the current songs.
20. Watermelon Crawl – Tracy Byrd
Another line dance inspired by a music video is the Watermelon Crawl, featured at the end of Tracy Byrd’s music video for the song of the same name. The move at the end of this video inspired generations to learn the fun and upbeat dance.
Next: Meaning behind the song “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles
21. Country Girl (Shake it for Me) – Luke Bryan
This one is mainly for girls, but anyone can do it. Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl” inspired many women worldwide to shake it like the girls in his music video do. This is how a new line dance was born.
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The greatest country dance songs of all time
As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.