I’m tired of people exhorting their armchair quarterback opinions about politics and the economy. I want to talk about something the politicians can’t screw up. Well, maybe I should say, they haven’t screwed it up YET…
“THOSE WERE THE DAYS”
Do you know what Boogie-Woogie Music is? What about dancing to Swing Music from the thirties, forties and early fifties? The most popular dance, coast to coast, from the late fifties and early sixties was THE SHAG. Aren’t you just a little curious? This music and these dances go back a few years. However, these videos and the dancers are from today. Now, why in the heck are these couples from today dancing to music from such a long time ago? Clearly, the music is soul grabbing and honest; it’s fun to listen and dance to. This is not a put down, but you can’t say that bout Debussy and Mozart. I mean, every generation has its own dances and its own music; yet this music and these dances are still being enjoyed by today’s generation.
I hope this music places a little happiness in your soul today.
THE SHAG was the most popular dance during the late fifties and early sixties. This is how high school and college kids danced to Rock ‘n’ Roll “back in the day”. Believe it or not, for some of us guys that really knew how to SHAG, we danced with a girl on each arm. This couple is obviously real good, but the guy really should be dancing with two ladies to make it a really righteous experience.
No doubt you’ve heard about Big Band Swing and Boogie-Woogie Music, but you may not have ever danced to it or came face to face with it. Well, you’re about see and hear what you’ve been missing. Before Rock-n-Roll, The Shag, The Watusi and The Twist folks danced to Swing and Boogie-Woogie; it’s how my dad and mom danced, during the forties and early fifties. In these two videos, young couples from today, right now, dance to Swing and Boogie-Woogie. I do believe, and I want to point out, when (if) you dance like this, say twice a week, a daily exercise routine or a personal trainer is not needed.
This music is simply too much fun to not have around.
I really hope this placed a little happiness in your soul today… YOU WILD THANG !
Now, DO YOU WANNA DANCE…
No Ulterior Motive 
I loved this!!! Thanks for the link!! I’m going to have to dig out out some of my old CD’s to listen in the car as working this weekend. The music always brings out that feel good feeling. The dancing is amazing, I have heard of the shag but never seen it, so thank you!!
I call this music, this dancing, “THE REAL – FEEL GOOD STUFF” of the century. And what makes my day; it’s the fact kids of today are still enjoying this BOOGIE-WOOGIE, the FAST SWING DANCIN’ and THE SHAG… “THE REAL – FEEL GOOD STUFF” is STILL the “THE REAL – FEEL GOOD STUFF”… I just blasted past 70, and I swear it’s the music and the dancing, with God’s help, that did it. Glad you like it, it’s a blast…
Jitterbugging to “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller. What’s more fun than that? 🙂
I was unable to find the video you mentioned: A MUSICAL EARTHQUAKE WITH AFTERSHOCKS CHERISHED AROUND THE WORLD…Would you send me a link?
Very energentic dancing in these videos. The surprise in the 2nd one is when the gal flipped the guy in the green shirt over her head. Wow! He made quite a few appearances and was very good.
Yes, the kids of today dancing to this “old” music are most impressive.
Glad you liked it.
The link to A MUSICAL EARTHQUAKE WITH AFTERSHOCKS CHERISHED AROUND THE WORLD… is (you might have to copy & paste into your browser):
https://noulteriormotive.com/2012/06/02/a-musical-earthquake-with-aftershocks-cherished-around-the-world/
I’m not a computer guru, but I think this link will work.
There are several videos in this netpub. I hope you enjoy the music. Stax is worth a visit if you ever get to Memphis, Tn.
One more thing, then I’ll be quiet… If you haven’t already thought of this, may I suggest you listen to the music as you read … Thank you
What fun! The couple in the shag video look like their legs are made of rubber! And I love the woman in the swing video who reaches back, grabs her partner’s neck and tosses him over her back! Had to watch that a couple of times. And, of course, the boogie woogie, well, what’s not to like? So glad you have a dance club – it’ll keep you young. Remember the scene in It’s a Wonderful Life where Jimmy Steward & Donna Reed are doing — I guess the Jitterbug? — and they fall in the pool? Love that dance! Thanks for sharing. And thanks for following my blog.
It’s a Wonderful Life, one if my all time favorites. It was called the Jitterbug in the 30’s, 40’s, etc, but now the kids call it Fast Swing Dancing, and I think you can see why. Glad you like the music and appreciate you taking the time to read an article or two.
I love this post! Thanks Rich. I always wish I was born in that period and enjoying all these fabolous dance…you must be having so much fun in those days….dancing was the common social thing and now we social on the internet 😦
I grew up doing the shag, like that young couple in the above video. And, like you said, people mostly socialize now on the internet. Very sad. They are missing a lot of fun. Thank goodness for my wife who likes to dance, because we belong to a private dance club that lets us dance to the music we grew up with. Glad you enjoyed the music.