POPULAR DANCE

The term "Pop" comes from the word "popular" and refers to the fact that it is delivered to the masses on a very large
scale. This genre of music is much commercialized and record companies use every kind of media tool available to them, such
as television, movies, and the Internet.

OBJECTIVES
Its objective is to include everyone since pop dance is very easy to dance to type of music. It can also be a hobby or
activity and it can be a great source of exercise too. Pop dance can also help to develop movement skills, musicality, dynamic
range, and expressivity. Learn to combine the following movement vocabulary with clarity and fluidity. Despite economic
adversity, religious prohibitions, and the problems of ephemerality, dance remains a powerful social and political art form with
the power to disrupt ideas, connect communities, and elevate the human spirit.

HISTORY
It originated in America in 1980. It was the most popular dance ever since it was created. Pop dance and music was
always used in clubs and never heard elsewhere until the 1990s when it started to become more popular and started to be heard
on radios, T.V, etc. Pop dance become so popular because it was so easy to dance to and the lyrics were very simple but
remain catchy.

TERMINOLOGIES
Ball Change - A 2-step move where you transfer the weight of one foot behind or by the other foot. You’re basically just
stepping twice.
Bass - Dancers often use the onomatopoeia “boom” to describe a bass drum sound.

Cypher - A cypher is where a group of dancers in a circle and take turns dancing in the center. It could also be referred
to as a freestyle circle.

Dynamics - Different types of execution of movement. Dynamics depend on how much and fast your energy is
distribute.

Focus - Where you are looking while you dance. Common ones are: right, left, up, down, and the “45”s AKA the
diagonals between those sides.

Freestyle - Improvisational dancing that allows the dancer to express their individual style (i.e. a dance that is not pre-
planned). It’s the process of spontaneously creating movement that was not choreographed ahead of time.

Full Out - Dancing with 100% of your energy and performance.

Holds - When you hold a move/pose and not move during a count.

Isolation - When you isolate one part of your body without moving any other parts.

Levels - How high or low your body gets. Low levels require you to bend your knees, or “plie.” High levels may involve
getting on your toes in “releve.”
 Switching Lines - When a class rotates from the front to back and vice versa to give everyone a chance to be in the
front.

POPULAR DURING 70s

MUSIC:
a) Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel) 1970 - Paul Simon wrote this about providing comfort
to a person in need. In 1971, this won five Grammy Awards: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best
Contemporary Song, Best Engineered Record, and Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists. The album
also won Album of the Year.
b) Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees) 1977 - This was one of five songs the Bee Gees (Barry, Robin, and Maurice
Gibb) wrote specifically for Saturday Night Fever. Like the film, the song is about much more than dancing
and having a good time. It deals with struggle and aspiration; making your way in the world even after
you've been kicked around.
c) Imagine (John Lennon) 1971 - The imagine concept came from Yoko Ono’s book entitled Grapefruit that
was published in 1964. This song is a strong political message sugar-coated in a beautiful melody. Lennon
realized the softer approach would bring the song to a wider audience, who hopefully would listen to his
message: If you want peace, first you have to imagine it.
d) Let It Be (The Beatles) 1970 - Paul McCartney wrote this song. It was inspired by his mother, Mary, who
died when he was 14. It was said that Let It Be was The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George
Harrison and Ringo Starr) last album, it made an appropriate statement about leaving problems behind and
moving on in life.
e) Hotel California (Eagles) 1976 - Written by Don Felder, Glenn Frey and Don Henley, this song is about
materialism and excess. California is used as the setting, but it could relate to anywhere in America. This
won the 1977 Grammy for Record of the Year. The band did not show up to accept the award, as Don
Henley did not believe in contests.

DANCE:

a) Do the Hustle - In 1975, singer Van McCoy got everyone on the dance floor to “Do The Hustle”. There
were both line and partner forms of The Hustle and a few variations as well, depending on what coast you
lived in. Dance experts describe this dance as a mixture of Swing and Latin, performed to a 70s disco beat.
The dance rose to fame when it was performed in the movie Saturday Night Fever.
b) The Bump Dance - The Bump was a fairly easy 70s dance that didn’t require learning a lot of complicated
steps or moves. Instead, partners stepped or swayed to the music – standing apart from one another – and
came together to bump hips (or other body parts) about every other beat. There were number of songs that
were inspired by the dance, including one this called "Lady Bump".
c) The YMCA - The YMCA dance is an example of a dance deriving from a particular song. In this case, the
song was YMCA by The Village People, recorded and released in 1978. For this dance, dancers simply
move their arms to form the Y, M, C, and A whenever those letters appear in the lyrics. The rest of the
dance is freestyle. Still done at weddings and often between innings at sporting events, YMCA is likely to be
around for many more decades.
d) Funky Chicken Dance - Not to be confused with the 'Chicken Dance' that you can't stand to hear at
weddings anymore, this is one of the more bizarre 70s dances. It was called 'The Funky Chicken, and it
could be a solo dance or a group dance that involved steps with names like “chicken wings” and “chicken
legs.” The Funky Chicken simply imitated the jerky movements of a chicken, with dancers incorporating
their own style to make their dance moves a little different from everyone else.
e) The Bus Stop - The Bus Stop is a good dance for beginners. Simply start with your feet together in a line
and facing the front of the room. Step back three times, starting with the right foot. On the third step, stop
and tap your left foot against your right foot and clap. Repeat the sequence going forward, starting with your
 left foot and tapping your right foot on the left and clapping when you reach the third step forward. Next,
step to the left side with the left foot, and then cross the right foot behind to take another step. Take three
steps in this manner before you tap the right foot on the left and clapping. Repeat the sequence, only going
right this time, tapping and clapping, then make a quarter turn to the left and start all over again The group
in this video has a good grasp of all the steps involved.

POPULAR DURING 80s

MUSIC:
a) I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Whitney Houston) 1987 - Houston sang this very upbeat and light, but
the lyrics are quite emotional, which is why they included "(Who Loves Me)" after "I Wanna Dance With
Somebody" in the song title.
b) Take On Me (A-ha) 1985 - This song became a hit in the US because of its innovative video where a
cartoon figure beckons the reader to join him in comic. The song continued to climb the charts until it hit #1
on October 19, where it stayed for one week. A week later, the song also reached its UK chart peak, coming
in at #2. A-ha were a Norwegian trio formed by Morten Harket (vocals), Pal Waaktaar (guitar) and Mags
Furuholmen (keyboards).
c) Don't Stop Believin (Journey) 1981 - Journey lead singer Steve Perry, keyboard player Jonathan Cain
and guitarist Neal Schon are the credited songwriters on this one, but the entire band contributed. The song
was written to give the audience a connection with the band, a goal it achieved.
d) Beat I (Michael Jackson) 1982 - Jackson wrote this song. The lyrics are about life on the streets and gang
activity, something Jackson was very detached from. He was schooled by tutors his whole life and became
a star at a young age, so his interpretation of "two gangs coming together to rumble" was based on the
celluloid interpretations that he'd seen, specifically West Side Story, which used gangs as musical art.
e) Blue Monday (New Order) 1983 - This song is believed to be about either drug addiction, child abuse or a
failed relationship. The line, "How does it feel? To treat me like you do," could refer to either the drugs or a
partner. The lyric was written by the group's guitarist/lead singer Bernard Sumner, who copped to being
(along with the rest of the band) under the influence of LSD while making the song. New Order band
members are Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Phil Cunningham and Tom Chapman

DANCE:
a) The Moonwalk - The Moonwalk, also known as the Backslide or the Glide, is a dance move in which the
dancer glides backwards while appearing to be walking forward. This move was popularized by the King of
Pop, Michael Jackson
b) The Prep - The Prep is a dance move in which the dancer takes a step to one side and points their fingers
with palms flat upwards to the side. There are many variations with this move such as with pointing and
mixing in some other moves in between in such as the Dirt Off the Shoulder move. This move was first seen
in 1984.
c) The Wop - a dance move in which the dancer punches their arms up to the opposite side. This move was
created and popularized in the 80s by B-Fats' song Woppit
d) The Biz - a dance move in which the dancer hops one foot to the side and swings their arm out to the other
side with the opposite arm, along with their hip popped out at the same time. This move was created and
popularized by Biz Markie after his songs Biz Dance and Return of the Biz Dance described this move
starting in 1986.
 e) The Cabbage Patch - It is a dance move in which the dancer moves their fists held out in front of them
horizontally in either a clockwise or counter clockwise circular motion sometimes along with the shoulders or
upper torso. This move was popularized by the Gucci Crew II after their song The Cabbage Patch.

POPULAR DURING 90s

MUSIC:
a) "I Want It That Way" (Backstreet Boys) 1999 - This was written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson,
Swedish producers and was the first single from The Backstreet Boys' third album, Millennium. It is The
biggest selling Backstreet record in UK (and their only #1 hit there). The song also peaked at #6 in the US.
b) Baby One More Time (Britney Spears) 1999 – This song was written and produced by Max Martin
became Britney's first hit, and it propelled her to stardom. The song is written from the perspective of a
young girl whose boyfriend has left her. She is lonely and desperate to win him back, so she implores him to
give her another chance.
c) Vogue (Madonna) 1990 - The word vogue was very fashionable in 1990. However, this song was originally
written as the B-side to "Keep It Together," a single release in America only. However, when Shep
Pettibone played "Vogue" to the record company executives at Sire, they decided that the song was too
good to waste on a B-side.
d) Vision of Love (Mariah Carey) 1990 - This was Mariah Carey's first single, it was released in late May
1990. The song debuted at #73, but two months later, in August, spent four weeks at the #1 spot. Carey
built off the song's success and became the top selling female artist of the '90s. This won the 1990 Grammy
for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. Carey also won the Best New Artist Grammy for that year.
e) My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion) 1997 - Worldwide, this was the biggest selling single of 1998. In the
UK it sold 1,312,551 copies, making Celine Dion the only woman with two million-selling singles in the UK.
This won the 1998 Grammy Awards for Record Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Song
Of The Year and Best Song for a Motion Picture.

DANCE:
a) Vogue - "Vogueing" was a dance craze popular in the gay community where dancers used elaborate hand
gestures and frequently stopped to pose. This song brought the dance style to the mainstream and
solidified Madonna's standing as an icon in the gay community.
b) The Running Man - Popularized by Janet Jackson, Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer, this dance involves you
standing in the same spot, shuffling your legs like a runner and moving your arms in a modified push up.
c) The Sprinkler – You need a particular set of aerobic skills to do this one. It involves grabbing your neck
with your left hand, and your leg with your right hand and hopping in the same spot to mimic a lawn
sprinkler.
d) Macarena – start with your right hand out, then your left hand. Palms up, hands on the back of your neck,
hips continually shaking and repeat.
e) The MC Hammer Dance – When someone started yelling “It’s Hammer Time!”, you just wiggle your body
like wet spaghetti and shuffle your feet from side to side.
POPULAR DURING 2000 UP TO THE PRESENT
MUSIC:
a) Lose Yourself (Eminem) 2002 - This song is highly produced and heavily layered. In addition to several
vocal tracks, there are horns, woodwinds, strings, keyboards, drums, and sound effects all over the track.
Eminem also was the top-selling artist of the decade. The most controversial emcee of all-time. For the first
half of the decade Eminem was unavoidable. His musical hiatus and infrequent guest appearances have
chipped away at a once unassailable throne, but he remains one of the most singular artists the 2000s
produced.
b) Clocks (Coldplay) 2002 – This is the song that pushed Coldplay into new territory, artistically and
commercially. “Clocks” is based on an earworm, whistle-worth piano melody -- that’s been sampled
countless times since -- and brings in charging bass as it builds and builds and builds to an apex of vocal
melodies and Martin repeating, “Home, home, where I wanted to go,” another universal sentiment. The
song is about love. The lyrics are about being in a conflicted, but very intense relationship as precious time
slips away.
c) Ultralight Beam (Kanye West) 2016 - This hip-hop hymn finds Kanye West rapping about wrestling with
his faith and looking to the divine power – the titular Ultralight Beam. Ye knows in God's hands, everything
will be alright. Members of the band are Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion.
d) Can’t Stop the Feeling (Justin Timberlake) 2016 - The song was written for the animated movie Trolls.
This song is driven by a retro bassline in the Michael Jackson mold, but it also incorporates drums, electric
guitar, strings, synthesizer, horns and some background chatter to accentuate the party vibe. This won the
Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 2017 ceremony.
e) Halo (Beyoncé) 2008 - Beyonce Knowles was one of the decade's most consistent hit makers. Her song
‘Halo’ won the award for Best Song at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards, and it also won the 2009
Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

DANCE:
a) Teach me How to Dougie (2010) - Cali Swag District have made their mark on the hip-hop scene with their
catchy single "Teach Me How to Dougie." And although the members of CSD — DJ C-Smoove, dancer M-
Bone and rappers Yung and JayAre — rep the West Coast, their breakout hit was inspired by moves a pal
picked up down South.
b) Gangnam Style (2012) - Amidst the meme madness of '00s party dances, nothing created mass hysteria
quite as big as Gangnam Style. Whether you thought it was good or absolutely horrendous, K-Pop
star PSY's horse riding, lasso winding dance doozy has had over 3,000,000,000 views on YouTube.
c) The Dab (2015) - The Dab (a move that finds you dropping your head down in the opposite direction of
arms pointed to the sky) was absolutely massive among it's lengthy list of fans. Dabbers range from Jason
Derulo to Hillary Clinton and numerous other politicians, NFL quarterbacks to Manchester United players.
Saudi Arabia even banned the dance craze after actors and footballers performed it.
d) New Freezer (2017) - Teaming up with Kendrick Lamar might have seemed like the biggest thing that
would come from young rapper Rich the Kid's track New Freezer, but when three smooth moving kids
uploaded a video of them cleaning the kitchen while rocking their heads side-to-side, the 2017 track turned
into a viral dance sensation overnight. It ignited the #NewFreezerChallenge and thousands of uploads of
people taking on the challenge.
e) The Floss (2018) - Invented by 16-year-old Insta-famous dancer The Backpack Kid back in 2016, The
Floss didn't take off until Katy Perry invited him on Saturday Night Live and he stole the show – prompting
his 1.7 million followers and a string of athletes, school teachers and celebs to follow in his complex steps.
“Popular dance” https://ourpastimes.com/the-history-of-pop-dance-12217837.html

“Objectives” http://notesondance.com/learning-objectives https://prezi.com/kf_o4bh7yf5w/pop-dance/

“History” https://prezi.com/kf_o4bh7yf5w/pop-dance/

“Terminologies” https://blog.steezy.co/dance-terms-dictionary/

“Popular Music During 70s” http://www.rockmusictimeline.com/1970s.html

a) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/simon-garfunkel/bridge-over-troubled-water
b) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/bee-gees/stayin-alive
c) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/john-lennon/imagine
d) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-beatles/let-it-be
e) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/eagles/hotel-california

“Popular Dance During 70s” https://lite987.com/five-iconic-dances-of-the-70s-videos/

“Popular Music During 80s” https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/the-50-best-80s-songs

a) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/whitney-houston/i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-who-loves-me
b) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/a-ha/take-on-me
c) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/journey/dont-stop-believin
d) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/michael-jackson/beat-it
e) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/new-order/blue-monday

“Popular Dance During 80s” https://www.theodysseyonline.com/moves-80s

“Popular Music During 90s” https://spinditty.com/playlists/Top-100-Songs-of-the-90s

a) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/backstreet-boys/i-want-it-that-way
b) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/britney-spears/baby-one-more-time
c) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/madonna/vogue
d) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/mariah-carey/vision-of-love
e) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/celine-dion/my-heart-will-go-on

“Popular Dance During 90s” https://www.songfacts.com/facts/madonna/vogue https://tv.varsity.com/articles/5057941-dance-moves-only-90s-kids-

remember https://torontosun.com/2013/11/13/awesome-dance-moves-from-the-80s-and-90s/wcm/7e658b5d-0998-488f-8be2-c0eadc5fcc8b

“Popular Music During 2000 up to present” https://rateyourmusic.com/list/Six_o_the_Clock/the_25_artists_who_defined_the_2000s/

a) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/eminem/lose-yourself
b) https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7542025/coldplay-songs-top-hits https://www.songfacts.com/facts/coldplay/clocks
c) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/kanye-west/ultralight-beam
d) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/justin-timberlake/cant-stop-the-feeling
e) https://www.songfacts.com/facts/beyonce/halo

“Popular Dance During 2000 up to present” https://www.redbull.com/int-en/10-biggest-party-dances-since-2000 http://www.mtv.com/news/1644912/cali-

swag-district-break-down-origin-of-teach-me-how-to-dougie/