Songs you can dance to around the campfire. A roundup of recommended tracks for dancing.
A campfire is essential for nights during camping and outdoor activities.
A campfire gradually grows from the start, reaches an exciting peak, and then settles into a calm mood toward the end—that transition is one of its true charms.
And it’s not just about watching the flames; people often sing songs and dance as well.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of recommended songs to dance to around the campfire.
We’ve gathered classic campfire tunes, folk dance songs, and even popular J-pop hits—use this as a handy reference.
Songs you can dance to around the campfire. A roundup of recommended tracks for dancing (1–10)
dance hallMrs. GREEN APPLE
As you can tell from the title, Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s “Dance Hall” is a song that conveys the exhilaration of dancing.
With its rhythm that makes your body bounce, let’s come up with choreography that matches the light and joyful sound.
Even if it’s not a complex routine, simply stepping to the beat can align with the song’s vibe and bring out the fun.
The vocals also help create a playful mood, so it’s great to move while humming along, or try focusing on facial expressions as another approach.
Burn, burn.
This is a folk-style song that has long been beloved as a campfire standard.
Its simple, easy-to-remember melody is paired with lyrics praising the strength and beauty of fire, expressing the sense of unity and bonds felt in nature.
Japanese lyrics were added by Magokichi Kushida, and from shortly after the war it came to be widely sung in outdoor activities such as Boy Scouts and camping.
Under the night sky, with starlight overhead, everyone links arms and sings together—the warm atmosphere that brings hearts together is its charm.
It can be enjoyed by people of all ages, so be sure to sing it as a companion to your campfire!
Let’s dance in a circle (Wasshoi)V6
V6’s song “WA ni Natte Odorō,” released in 1997, lives up to its title—which, in Yoruba, means “house of the soul”—by delivering a message that stays close to the listener’s heart while encouraging everyone to share their energy by dancing together.
It sings that when you’re feeling down, forming a circle and dancing can help you overcome sadness, and it also advocates openly expressing love to those you care about.
In this way, the song’s theme is a positive attitude toward facing life’s joys and sorrows.
The track was chosen as the theme song for NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in the same year, and the original artist AGHARTA released a single around the same time.
It also drew attention upon release by being performed as “ILE AIYE ~WA ni Natte Odorō~” at the Nagano Olympics closing ceremony.
Paired with its unique dance visuals, it’s a song loved by children and adults alike—perfect for a campfire gathering.
Tatarochka
Do you know the dance “Tatarochka,” which comes from Russia’s Tatar region? In this dance, everyone joins hands in a circle and moves around, occasionally clapping their hands or patting their knees.
The lively Slavic-style melody really lifts the mood.
Another feature of this song is the frequent shouts woven throughout.
Try calling out “Yakhshi!” with energy.
By the way, yakhshi is a word referring to spirits that dwell in nature.
That touch of mystique is one reason it’s considered perfect for a campfire setting.
Genghis Khan (also refers to a Japanese grilled mutton dish called ‘Jingisukan’)
One of the classic campfire songs is “Dschinghis Khan.” Originally a German song themed around Genghis Khan, it’s beloved in Japan as a dance number.
Its biggest highlight is that catchy chorus.
Sing along and your energy is sure to rise! Incidentally, in Japan, many songs themed around “Jingisukan” as well as cover versions have been released.
Choosing one of those is a great option too.
Jamboree Mickey!Dizunī
Tokyo Disney Resort is Japan’s premier theme park, and one of its beloved shows is “Jamboree Mickey!” It’s a pop song based on the “Mickey Mouse March,” and everyone can enjoy dancing along to it.
It’s sure to liven up a campfire, too.
Another reason it’s recommended is that a dance tutorial video is available on YouTube, so you can have fun practicing while watching.
Mayim Mayim
When it comes to folk dancing, many people probably think of “Mayim Mayim.” In postwar Japan, it became a staple song for outdoor recreation.
In fact, this piece is an Israeli song that celebrates the joy of people who struck water in a settlement.
Its humorous melody gets everyone swaying.
It’s a danceable tune that brings children and adults together in high spirits.
If your school’s experiential learning includes a campfire program, try using it as background music.
