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In 1969, Rufus Thomas wrote “Do the funky chicken.” It became #5 in the R&B chart and #28 on the US pop chart in 1970 and was produced by Al Bell and Tom Nixon. It featured the instrumentals by the Bar Keys and the guitar stylings of Michael Toles. The song was the title track on Thomas’s 1970 LP Do the Funky Chicken. After performing with Willie Mitchells band, Thomas improvised the song as a novelty like most of the songs on the record. Thomas was quoted as saying that the inspiration for the song came to him in the middle of a performance, and he just separated each move in the lyrics. Thomas was also a radio DJ and incorporated one of his regular shticks from his show into the song.

The Mashed Potato is a rhythm and blues song that became a popular dance craze in 1962. Made famous by the James Brown’s song “(Do the) Mashed Potatoes” in 1959, it was released as a two-part single in 1960. Although Brown wrote the song, accreditation went to Brown’s pseudonym, Dessie Rozier—with help from drummer Nat Kendrick—in order to keep the recording from Syd Nathan, the head if King Records, who had declined to record it.

Dancing has proven to have natural benefits in several areas for people. This is most obvious with exercise; the cardiovascular nature to it can only improve your physical health. Another benefit, though, is stress relief. Dancing relaxes people, especially when involving a dance partner.

The Cha-cha is an authentic Cuban dance. Enrique Jorrin composed the Cha-cha in the 1950’s while performing with the Group Orchestra America. In an effort to make dancing more appealing, Jorrin composed rhythms that were unexpected, where the melody is marked strongly on the first downbeat. As the group tried out its new sound, the dancers improvised a triple step into the footwork which made a “cha-cha-cha” sound. Consisting of footwork and its eye-catching hip movement, the tempo for the dance is 128 beats per minute and the basic rhythm is 2, 3,4&1, 2,3, 4&1. An excellent way to get and stay fit, it can help you lose weight, build muscle and improve motor skills and coordination, not to mention it can help with anxiety. In just 15 minutes dancing the Cha-cha can burn 36 calories in women, and 42 calories in men.

The electric slide was a very popular dance during the mid to late 70’s. It was choreographed by Ric Silver in 1976 and made most popular being performed to the disco hit Electric Boogie, written by Marcia Griffiths and Bunny Wailer. The series of steps were designed to follow along with the song. Even though the love of disco faded in 1979, some of its charm remains today, shown in the smooth moves of the Electric slide. In the 1990’s, it’s fun and easy nature made it popular again as a country line dance. There are five simple steps.

A slow dance is crucial for balance, especially for beginners. It takes time to learn movements and steps, rhythms and syncing up with music. Learning a slow dance will give you that time you need to perfect your balance and become more comfortable with yourself and even with a partner. Here’s why: