From classic folk dance staples to hidden gems. Introducing recommended tracks!
Folk dancing, a familiar sight at school events and recreational activities.There are many nostalgic tunes that make your body start moving the moment the music begins!When it comes to folk dance songs, there’s an incredible variety—from timeless standards everyone has danced to at least once, to pieces that let you enjoy traditional rhythms from around the world.You might have suddenly wondered, “What was the name of that song again?”In this article, we’ll present a broad list of folk dance tracks.Whether you’re unsure what to pick for an event or searching for a song filled with memories, we hope you’ll find this helpful!
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From classic folk dance tunes to hidden gems. Introducing recommended tracks! (31–40)
Elizabeth Quadrille
Here is a piece used for a somewhat advanced folk dance where eight people face inward in a square to dance.
This dance, called the quadrille, is said to have originated in France, and it originally involved not person-to-person dancing but four pairs of people and horses forming various figures via reins.
The music is in triple meter, giving it a more elegant feel.
The choreography was created in the 1950s by the couple Marian and Ned Gault.
It’s interesting that we can clearly identify who devised the choreography.
Mexican Hat Dance
The Mexican Hat Dance is a traditional Mexican dance song, originally based on the piece Jarabe Tapatío.
It’s danced by a man and a woman, with the woman fluttering a beautiful skirt from traditional Mexican attire.
The music is beautiful, lively, and quintessentially Mexican—perfect for fun events.
A gentle folk dance is nice too, but thanks to its bright tone and guitar timbre, this energetic song is also recommended for anyone looking to liven things up.
It could be fun to think about costumes as well!
Minuet in G majorJ.S.Bach
It is one of Europe’s dance forms, set in 3/4 time with an accent on the first beat of each measure.
Bach’s Minuet is also a popular piece for beginner pianists.
With a gentle rhythm and graceful steps, it is a court dance intended for the nobility.
Sicilian Tarantella
This piece is a dance from the Italian island of Sicily.
Across Italy, there are intense dances said to be performed to drive out the poison after being bitten by the tarantula, and they are all called “tarantella,” but the music and choreography differ.
The Sicilian Tarantella in this video is quite unique: it’s danced while playing a tambourine and even includes a game of rock-paper-scissors.
After the game, the choreography where the woman rejoices when the man loses is also amusing, and unlike folk dances that simply repeat the same steps, it has a storyline.
Ace of Diamond
This dance originated as a Danish farmers’ dance.
Because Denmark has severe cold weather and few opportunities to exercise outdoors, indoor folk dances became popular.
The music is an old folk song called “Ritchi Ratchi.” It has been danced in Japan since before the war, and the song also has Japanese lyrics; it was included in music textbooks, so many people may be familiar with it.
As for the choreography, holding hands is common, but linking arms and turning is a refreshing twist.
From folk dance classics to hidden gems: Recommended songs (41–50)
Shibboleth Basada
It’s a dance from Israel.
It’s a piece performed during harvest festivals, and the lively, upbeat music—along with movements like skipping and the circle growing larger and smaller—expresses the joy of the harvest.
It’s a folk dance that makes everyone feel even more cheerful as they dance.
The railroad tracks go on forever.amerika min’yō
The original song is said to have its roots as a work song sung by Irish laborers involved in the construction of the transcontinental railroad.
Although it was passed down as an American folk song, in Japan it became popular through a Japanese translation by Mr.
Saki Satoshi.