From the birds and the bees, to family trees.: I was addicted to the hokey pokey, but I turned myself around

I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around
24 March 2014

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! And another bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

This I find really funny. As in extremely funny.

I know without a shadow of a doubt, that if I had to show this to my husband and my kids, they’d just look at each other, look over to me, shake their heads and say, “it’s not really that funny, you know”.

But I don’t know. I think it’s funny and it’s silly.

However, this pic has made me think – how many dance crazes have we lived through?

Isn’t it funny how a simple and sometimes exceptionally annoying song, accompanied by a few practiced group dance moves, just seems to take off and fly. Capturing the imagination and hearts of millions of people. Converting them to mere slavery and zombified determination and single minded focus – when they hear that song, their bodies take over and the routine moves sprout forth.

To be fair, some of these songs, have been exceptionally catchy. Quirky and addictive. A joy to listen too. And added to the combo of the easy-to-remember moves, it’s hard not to love them.

Once upon a time, a long, long, long time ago, I do believe I liked the Macarena. True story. But please don’t tell anyone. I’ll lose any music street cred I ever had. But by about the 10^th time I heard it, the novelty had warned off. By the 100^th time, I was practically suicidal each time I heard it – my ears just about bleeding. Still, I sort of remember the moves. Especially if a whole bunch of people are doing it, and I can simply stand at the back and follow them. Yet, for me, the Macarena is the equivalent of a musical horror.

Only to be surpassed by the horrors of Billy Ray Cirus’ Achy Breaky Heart. I’d run him over with my car, if I ever saw him on the street. And in his case, the terror was not just the god-awful song. Nor was it the surplus of plaid in the video. The pointy cowboy shoes. The 10 gallon Stetsons. Truth be told, the real clincher for me was his mullet. On this occasion, not only did his song make my ears bleed, but the vision of his mullet made my eyes bleed too. And I’ve realised in hindsight, that running Billy over with my car, would be too easy. Too swift an end to his misery and mine. A far more satisfactory solution, would be to tape headphones to his ears, and put the Macarena on repeat. He-he-he-he-he!!!

I sort of missed the whole Thriller bit. Happened a bit before my time. Still looking back, it was pretty ground breaking. Really cool stuff.

The chicken song, commonly favoured at weddings, is pretty grim too. All that flapping about. Most unflattering.

The locomotive song, in which everyone hangs on to the hips of the person in front of them, is also challenging. Another wedding favourite. At some or other point, someone gets over enthusiastic. And a few of the carriages of the train becomes unhitched. Happens every time. With any real luck someone falls. Happens way too often too.

And how can we ever forget the ever popular YMCA. Years and years after it first did the rounds, it still has incredible pulling power. Ensuring that just a few opening bars of the song has everyone on the dance floor. Arms held aloft, spelling out the letters.

PSY’s Gangnam style is probably the most recent addition to the song/dance phenomenon. Everyone was doing it. Everywhere. It was such a catchy little move. So easily identifiable. It was actually pure genius. And I do hope that PSY made pots of money from it.

One of the favourites for me will always be, “The Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. A true classic. Mesmerising.

These are but a few of the dance crazes we’ve seen. I look forward to what’s on offer next.

Given time, I probably won’t have long to wait. With any luck, I might even like them in the beginning. And learn the moves for myself.

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Keep Calm and do the Macarena. Or not. Preferably not.

The B52's doing their Love Shack

The Hokey Pokey - you put your left hand in, you take your left hand out, you put your right hand in and you turn yourself around...

Doing the addictive and hip defying Twist

PSY's Gangnam Style was the latest dance craze

Aahhh yes - doing the Locomotive - a firm favourite at weddings for many years

That bloody Macarena

The Chicken Dance - the other nauseating wedding dance

He-he-he-he

Unfortunately this video has been imprinted on my memory. FOREVER!!!

Very funny!

True story!

One of my absolute favourites!

Michael Jackson's Thriller was also revolutionary

It's astounding. Time is fleeting. Madness takes it's toll. So listen closely. Not for very much longer.

Eish! The Achy Breaky Heart. Billy Ray Cirus should be round up and shot. Actually a far better punishment for his crimes against our eardrums, would be to tape some headphones on to his ears, and put the Macarena on repeat. Yes! Way better!