Folk dance classics and popular songs
When you think of folk dancing, many schools probably include it as one of the events at their sports days or athletic festivals, right?
I’m sure many of you actually danced folk dances during your school days.
Folk dance, to begin with, refers to dances set to traditional songs from various countries, and there are a lot of pieces used for folk dancing.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of folk dance songs from around the world—from standard classics to lesser-known, niche tracks.
If you’re a school teacher, a member of a PE committee, or anyone looking to choose music for a folk dance, please use this as a reference.
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- [Camp Songs] Classic camping songs. Campfire songs you can play along with
- Songs that hype up the athlete entrance at school sports festivals
- [For Creative Dance] A Collection of Easy-to-Dance Japanese and Western Tracks
Folk Dance Masterpieces and Popular Songs (51–60)
KalinkaIwan Rarionofu
It began as a beloved Russian song, originally sung on stage in an amateur theater production for which Larionov composed the music.
In Japan, it became famous as the background music for Tetris.
Fans also sing it at the English soccer club Chelsea FC.
Oh, Dem Golden Slippersjēmusu burando
It’s a song well-known as an American popular tune.
In Japan, it has spread under the Japanese translation “Ano Machi Kono Machi.” It was created as a parody of a Black spiritual written for minstrel shows.
In the United States, it is often performed as an instrumental.
All-American Promenade
Even if you don’t know it as a folk dance tune, many of you have probably heard this song somewhere.
You move forward, then backward, change partners—nothing too complicated, but the large, continuous movements set to a lively rhythm make it a dance that instantly lifts your spirits.
Camdance Claradine
It’s a Belgian dance.
The title means “Clara, let’s dance together.” With a relaxed and cheerful tone, it’s perfect music for dancing.
You can almost picture a peaceful scene of inviting Clara to dance and dancing with gentle smiles.
Folk dance masterpieces and popular songs (61–70)
Chimes of Dunkirk
A folk dance handed down in Belgium and the Flemish region.
If you listen to the melody repeatedly, you may notice parts that resemble the song sung by the dwarfs in Disney’s Snow White.
The movements, where dancers twirl around while switching partners, look a bit challenging, but the fairy-tale-like melody is cheerful, and I’m sure it would be great fun to dance.
Polyanka
Polyanka is a folk dance that represents Ukraine and is also presented as a Russian folk dance.
Compared with other Russian folk songs, the melody of this piece doesn’t feel particularly Russian; it appears to have been composed in the United States.
It features many sections for solo dancing, offering numerous opportunities to showcase individual skill.
Hora MedraJoel Walbe
The title means the “Ho-ra!” shouted at campfires.
It’s a lively song with energetic calls.
Basic formations from the V position and W position to the grapevine are used as fundamentals.
It was also included on the private railway line’s 5th anniversary commemorative record.