Square dancing is a remarkable thing. If you’ve ever stumbled into a saloon or old roadhouse and seen people in groups or standing in lines on the dance floor performing the moves with their thumbs in their belt loops and cowboy hats on their heads, you know the wonder that is the sight.
Videos by American Songwriter
Here below, we wanted to explore three timeless songs that are perfect for square dancing. A trio of tracks where callers can get on the mic and call out the moves and dancers can get on the sawdust floor and show their stuff. Indeed, these are three timeless songs to square dance to.
[RELATED: 5 Songs You Didn’t Know Featured Johnny Cash]
“Promenade”
As you can hear here below, this song from the Square Dance With Calls LP features fiddle music and the caller. Not quite a singer, the caller stands in front of the microphone and calls out the moves that the square dancing participants are to go through. On “Promenade,” the caller talks about crossing over, where the ladies and then the men cross through the center of the group of dancers. A lively, fun song, this is perhaps the most popular square dancing song.
“Red River Gal”
Another from the Square Dance With Calls LP, “Red River Gal” also features calls from the caller. Using terms like “home” and “swinging,” the caller directs the dancers. The female dancing partner in this song is called the “Red River Girl” just for fun. But this fiddle tune is another that gives the dancer music and direction. Check it out below and just try not to dance along.
“Darling Nellie Gray”
This folk standard features the banjo, an instrument that imbues a great deal of energy to the dancer. It also features acoustic guitar. This could be a song you invent your own calls to, your own dance moves. But either way, this has the perfect beat for a square dance session. It’s barn music, it’s Saturday night music. It’s music for when the workweek is done. Now partner up and get on the dance floor already, cowpolk!
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.