Love ’em or hate ’em, line dances are a fact of life for most DJs. But there are plenty of ways to keep your line dancing routine fresh, allowing you to appease both the line dancers and the haters in any crowd.
I personally love line dancing and was a regular at the world famous Brandin’ Iron Saloon in San Bernardino for many years. Next week I’ll be DJing for the second time at Coachella’s country cousin, the Stagecoach Festival. In fact, this year we’re unveiling our own line dance called the “Stagecoach Stomp” (choreographed by Annmarie Dunn). So I’m elbow-deep in line dances for the music festival’s honky tonk dance hall as I write this.
REFRESHING TONICS FOR YOUR LINE DANCES
Here are a few tips on how to best use the lists and keep your line dances from going stale:
Burn your original copies of the “Electric Slide” and the “Macarena”—instead use the alternative songs on the list. It’ll give your guests that extra “wow” factor. Trust me!
Don’t know country music well? The groom’s mom just demanded a country line dance? Check out the country lists.
Always give your guests the starting count to get the line dancers going at the same time. That means get on the mic and, at the right moment, say, “5-6-7-go” so everyone easily gets started together and in unison. See the sidebar for popular line dance count starting times. I recommend YouTube for getting count start times for other dances.
Make your own signature mash-up of the “Cha Cha Slide” and “Cupid Shuffle.” Seriously, you know somebody is going to request them—why not play them but give them a fun twist? There’s a great “Cha Cha Slide”/”Cupid Shuffle” mash-up on YouTube to get you inspired (it integrates “Billie Jean” and “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics, as well as some fun loops). Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8QksRPwFTQ
If you’re not playing “The Wobble” by V.I.C. or “Footloose,” definitely add these to your repertoire. I’m continually floored at the non-cowboys/girls who get up and dance the Slappin’ Leather to “Footloose” (either the Blake or Kenny version)—even in southern California.
Some lesser known but super fun and easy hip hop line dances that you might look into if you offer dance instruction during events: “Cleveland Shuffle” by 71 North and the “Body Rock” to Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Really Care About Us” (*This one was choreographed at the Brandin’ Iron!)
If you ever do events with Spanish-speaking guests, learn the “Payaso de Rodeo.” It is hands-down the easiest line dance I have ever come across (2 stomps to the right, 2 stomps to the left, 2 stomps back, 2 stomps forward, quarter turn, repeat). Fast version: “Payaso de Rodeo” by Caballo Dorado (starts slow). Slow version: “No Rompas Más Mi Pobre Corazón” (yep, a Spanish version of “Achy Breaky Heart”) also by Caballo Dorado.
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NON-COUNTRY ELECTRIC SLIDES |
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OLD TIME ROCK & ROLL |
BOB SEGER |
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KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF |
GEORGIA SATELLITES |
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LIFE IN THE FAST LANE |
EAGLES |
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SHARP DRESSED MAN |
ZZ TOP |
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ADDICTED TO LOVE |
ROBERT PALMER |
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COUNTRY ELECTRIC SLIDES |
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MAN! I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN |
SHANIA TWAIN |
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HERE FOR THE PARTY |
GRETCHEN WILSON |
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WHY WAIT |
RASCAL FLATTS |
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ROCK MY WORLD LITTLE COUNTRY GIRL |
BROOKS AND DUNN |
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PLAY SOMETHING COUNTRY |
BROOKS AND DUNN |
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WHOSE BED HAVE YOUR BOOTS BEEN UNDER |
SHANIA TWAIN |
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LITTLE MISS HONKY TONK |
BROOKS AND DUNN |
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I FEEL LUCKY |
MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER |
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A LITTLE LESS TALK AND A LOT MORE ACTION |
TOBY KEITH |
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MY KIND OF GIRL |
COLIN RAYE |
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TWO OF A KIND, WORKIN’ ON A FULL HOUSE |
GARTH BROOKS |
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FAST AS YOU |
DWIGHT YOAKUM |
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BEER FOR MY HORSES |
TOBY KEITH |
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CLEOPATRA QUEEN OF DENIAL |
PAM TILLIS |
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I LIKE IT, I LOVE IT |
TIM MCGRAW |
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DOWN ON THE FARM |
TIM MCGRAW |
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DON’T ROCK THE JUKEBOX |
ALAN JACKSON |
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LADIES LOVE COUNTRY BOYS |
TRACE ADKINS |
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MY TOP-SECRET, CROWDS-LOVE-IT MACARENA ALTERNATIVE |
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THAT POWER |
WILL.I.AM, JUSTIN BEIBER |
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POWER JAM |
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COUNTRY GIRL SHAKE IT |
LUKE BRYAN |
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EVERY LITTLE THING |
CARLENE CARTER |
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I LOVE A RAINY NIGHT |
EDDIE RABBIT |
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HOOKED ON AN 8 SECOND RIDE |
CHRIS LEDEUX |
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DUMAS WALKER |
KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS |
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HILLBILLY ROCK |
MARTY STUART |
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REBELICIOUS |
JAMIE JOHNSON |
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LOT OF LEAVIN’ LEFT TO DO |
DIERKS BENTLEY |
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WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE |
PAULA COLE |
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I PLAYED CHICKEN WITH THE TRAIN |
COWBOY TROY |
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ANIMALS |
NICKELBACK |
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TUSH PUSH |
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PAPA LOVED MAMA |
GARTH BROOKS |
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CHATTAHOOCHEE |
ALAN JACKSON |
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IF YOUR HEART AIN’T BUSY |
TANYA TUCKER |
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POUR ME |
TRICK PONY |
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WHAT WAS I THINKIN |
DIERKS BENTLEY |
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HONKY TONK MAN |
DWIGHT YOAKAM |
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DANGEROUS MAN |
DWIGHT YOAKAM |
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REDNECK WOMAN |
GRETCHEN WILSON |
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I FELL IN LOVE (TIMBER) |
PAM TILLIS |
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CADILLAC RANCH |
GARTH BROOKS/CHRIS LEDEUX |
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HONKY TONK WORLD |
CHRIS LEDEUX |
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I AIN’T NO QUITTER |
SHANIA TWAIN |
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AIN’T GOIN DOWN TIL THE SUN COMES UP |
GARTH BROOKS |
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EVEN COWBOYS LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF ROCK N ROLL |
CHRIS LEDEUX |
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PINK CADILLAC |
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN |
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DOWN IN MISSISSIPPI |
SUGARLAND |
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BABY I’M BURNING |
DOLLY PARTON |
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SLAPPIN’ LEATHER |
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T.R.O.U.B.L.E |
TRAVIS TRITT |
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SLAPPIN LEATHER |
TRAVIS TRITT |
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BIBLE BELT |
TRAVIS TRITT |
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WRAPPED AROUND |
BRAD PAISLEY |
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LOVIN ALL NIGHT |
PATTY LOVELESS |
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FOOTLOOSE |
KENNY LOGGINS/BLAKE SHELTON |
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COWBOY CHA CHA |
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MY MARIA |
BROOKS AND DUNN |
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I DON’T KNOW WHAT SHE SAID |
BLANE LARSEN |
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HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN |
CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL |
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TOUGHER THAN THE REST |
CHRIS LEDEUX |
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TWO PIÑA COLADAS |
GARTH BROOKS |
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FROM A JACK TO A KING |
RICKY VAN SHELTON |
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TIME MARCHES ON |
TRACY LAWRENCE |
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LOOKIN’ FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES |
JOHNNY LEE |
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NEON MOON |
BROOKS AND DUNN |
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THAT AIN’T NO WAY TO GO |
BROOKS AND DUNN |
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AMARILLO BY MORNING |
GEORGE STRAIT |
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TEN STEPS |
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SIN WAGON |
DIXIE CHICKS |
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DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA |
CHARLIE DANIELS |
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AGAINST THE GRAIN |
GARTH BROOKS |
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TWO FEET OF TOPSOIL |
BRAD PAISLEY |
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SOLD |
JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY |
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FOLSOM PRISON BLUES |
JOHNNY CASH |
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AMARILLO |
EMMYLOU HARRIS |
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RUNNING GUN |
MARTY ROBBINS |
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JACKSON |
JOHNNY CASH & JUNE CARTER |
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CHEATER CHEATER |
JOEY + RORY |
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FIVE O’CLOCK 500 |
ALABAMA |
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WHATCHA GONNA DO WITH A COWBOY |
GARTH BROOKS/CHRIS LE DEUX |
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COCAINE BLUES |
JOHNNY CASH |
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ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL |
JOHNNY CASH |
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COAL MINE |
SARA EVANS |
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OTHERS |
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COPPERHEAD ROAD |
STEVE EARLE |
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GOOD TIME |
ALAN JACKSON |
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GOD BLESSED TEXAS |
LITTLE TEXAS |
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COTTON EYED JOE |
SCATMAN JOHN |
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WATERMELON CRAWL |
TRACY BYRD |
Filed Under: 2015, Mobile DJ Performance Tips, Playlists, Songs & Music Charts
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