Awesome Dance Moves From The ’80s

Breakdancing

Breakdancing became the most popular dance craze of the 1980s, growing along with the popularity of rap and hip-hop. Breakdancing encompasses a variety of movements, from head spins and back spins to rhythmic popping and locking of the joints. Most breakdancers operated in teams (or "crews") that competed against each other in breakdancing "battles." The popularity of breakdancing during the 1980s even spawned movies, including "Breakin'" in 1984 and the sequel "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" later that year.

Cox and Springsteen

Okay, don't be in awe if we tell you that our very own Monica from FRIENDS, a.k.a. Courtney Cox is looking very, very young in this video called Dancing in the Dark. She is in a pixie 'do and to top it all, she is with the legendary Bruce Springsteen! (who is going to notice the move, but still!). There is the robotic march from side and pumping of arms by Cox, much like a girl whose been dragged or pushed into dancing. Yes, this can be called the robot move and it was mind-blowing as Cox did it!

Head Bang

If you hear notes from the heavy metal air band song, simply whip your head back and forth as the beat goes. In case you are really into the groove, swing your hair in a circular motion.

The Hammer Dance

By M.C. Hammer, he wore those baggy genie pants, keep legs wide apart, slightly bents, shuffle quickly one way, then the other.

Lambada

Lambada is a dance for couples that originated in South America, though the exact country of origin is in dispute. The dance caught on in 1989 when the French group Kaoma recorded a song titled "Lambada" set to a traditional Lambada tune. The song eventually moved up the American charts and ignited a Latin dance craze. Two movies were released in 1990 to capitalize on that craze, "Lambada" and "The Forbidden Dance."

Moon Walk

Popularized by the fabulous MJ, a.k.a. late Michael Jackson, this is undoubtedly one of the most remembered and known moves. Yes, everyone from your teacher to mailman to even your granny would most probably know it. If you can pull that cool moon walk, you would be looked at with praise even after two decades of this move making everyone go crazy.

The Risky Business

You slide in from stage right with left knee cocked as if you are about to jump a hurdle. Head should be tilted downwards with eyes fixed on imaginary microphone held in clenched fist. Then spin to the front and begin miming "Just take those old records off the shelf..." The key to this dance is to display absolutely no sense of rhythm. This "Risky Business" was made famous by a boxer shorts-clad Tom Cruise.

The Robot

Now played for laughs, the Robot was a complex and interesting part of the breakdancing genre. Also known as the Mannequin, the Robot consists of stiff, robotic movements of the head, arms and waist. The Robot is often associated with hip-hop, but it was also danced to Styx's 1983 hit "Mr. Roboto" and was used earlier by the Jacksons, in the 1970s. It is still employed by current artists like Chris Brown.

The Running Man

Also known as The Vanilla Ice, you take a step forward, then slide that foot back, immediately placing the next foot forward. Repeat while moving your bent arms forward and back (together). When done quickly, you'll look as though you're "running". If you want to get really fancy, you can pivot on one foot so that you're facing in the other direction and do it all over again.

Moshing

In the punk, hardcore and heavy-metal scenes, a dance called moshing developed in the 1980s. But it didn't look much like a dance. Moshing consists of a crowd of people, usually near the stage during a concert, slamming their bodies against each other or jumping up and down in time to the music being played. Some mosh pits became violent and caused some criticism and was even banned at some concerts. Moshing also spawned the trend of crowd surfing, in which people are lifted and carried across the top of the crowd.

Cabbage Patch

This is inspired from an overpriced, must-have oh-so-gaudy dolls. Don't know why but that seems to be the case. Put both your fists out in the front and move them as if you are stirring a pot of soup, holding giant double spoons. Simultaneously, move your hips. Keep the elbows glued to your body.

"Evolution of Hip-Hop Dancing" (w/ Jimmy Fallon & Will Smith)