Top 10 Decade Defining Dance Moves of the 1990s

In 1990, the rap group Digital Underground dropped their second single, “Humpty Dance,” and with it, a dance that took the world by storm. There was hardly a gathering where this move wasn’t busted out. The step is pretty straightforward, but it will get your whole body moving, so you might want to warm up first. You want to criss-cross jump, dip your knees and roll up with a slight bounce several times then repeat. Don’t forget those arms! As you bend, alternate left and right as you rotate them front to back. It’s high energy, a total vibe, and will bring that ‘90s nostalgia back.

Remember that viral “Harlem Shake” trend from 2013? Well, it all began with a popular dance from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Only, you’ll notice that the original looks nothing like the one we were all uploading to our various social media. Generally, those who used to dance the “Harlem Shake” in its heydays consider the updated version a “mockery” of the style. Its initial creator, Al B., a Harlem resident, once described the original as resembling “a drunken shake.” The dance involves a lot of shimmying, shaking, and an insane amount of control and versatility. If you can pull off the original “Harlem Shake,” we’ll forever be incredibly impressed.

You’ve probably busted out this move at some point without even realizing it was called the “Bart Simpson.” This is especially true if you were a major TLC fan and loved to dance along to the “Creep” music video. Some say the move was inspired by Bart Simpson riding his skateboard, though its exact origins are unknown. As he would glide forward, his arms would go back. Similarly, as you slide to one side, your arms push out in the opposite direction. Make sure you have plenty of space to really nail those slides, as the bigger, the better. This move is so quintessentially 90s and really easy to learn.

As we’ll continuously see, many ‘90s dance trends were influenced by reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop. The Butterfly is no exception. The move itself is pretty straightforward, with the dancer twisting their knees in and out. However, as typically seen in the reggae style, moving your legs isn’t enough. Make sure your hips get in on the action and wind them around to really groove it out. In 1994, hip-hop duo “69 Boyz” declared that the Butterfly was out and the Tootsee Roll was the next big craze. And dance fans were seemingly quick to fall in line. It soon became a fixed feature in many nightclubs, and you’re still likely to hear it at parties today.

The beauty of this move is its simplicity. At the core, all you gotta do is stick your arms out and rotate them in a circular motion. If you want to jazz it up, you can also let your body sway as your arms go around. Or if you’re feeling particularly groovy, take it in a full circle. Add some face-ography, and you can really sell it. A similar, more hip-hop version of the style, also recognized as “The Reebok” (apparently after the shoe), sees the dancer dig into the move further. In this version, you step left, right, and swing your body around as your arms rotate. Anyone can do it!

One for the Disney fans, this dance was inspired by the titular bunny’s loose movements in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” Generally considered a social dance in hip-hop, it almost resembles the Running Man in reverse, but you also swing your arms back every time you step. It’s certainly an animated move that requires high levels of energy. However, you’ll also want to be relaxed to really capture that cartoonish feel. Can you really look silly while imitating a cartoon character? As long as you really commit to it and just have fun, this move will always be a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.

Does anything scream the ‘90s more than the “U Can’t Touch This” music video? MC Hammer had us all going out and buying Hammer pants and shuffling our feet at the speed of light. The gold certified song was a pop culture phenomenon, not just for starting major dance trends but also for creating a timeless catchphrase. Now, the move we’re talking about requires the dancer to stand with their feet apart, squat, and start shuffling quickly from side to side. Once you’ve nailed it, isolate your chest and get it rolling. Do you have it? Now try and stick in a quick criss-cross jump before switching directions. It’s fast, nimble, and once you get it, a whole lot of fun.

“Kid ‘n Play” was a well-known hip-hop duo throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. In addition to their songs and movies, the pair were notable for their dance skills. This step, notably visible in their “Do This My Way” music video, took cues from the 1920s Charleston. Requiring two participants, this move is a funkier, jazzier version of the classic style. It’s as simple as kicking one foot forward, replacing it, and stepping the other foot back. Then you and your partner touch ankles, hold hands, hop around 180 degrees to switch places, and repeat. The dance found even more people following Kid ‘n Play’s 1990 movie “House Party,” where the duo performs it during a dance-off.

Although this move isn’t a ‘90s creation, it was all the rage at all the decade’s dance parties. After all, it’s essentially just running on the spot but with a little more spring in your step. Its origins are disputed, with some sources notably crediting Paula Abdul, and many saying Bobby Brown helped hype it up. However, its appearance in Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” music video certainly helped turn it into a go-to dance move for many. The Running Man’s simple enough to master, no matter how uncoordinated you might be. It’s a surefire way to get even the most unwilling guests on the dance floor.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Alf
A Classic ‘90s Hip-Hop Step

The Achy Breaky
Billy Ray Cyrus Had Us All Line Dancing in the 1990s

Slam Dancing
It Was All the Rage on the Grunge Scene

The Sprinkler
Put One Arm Behind Your Head, Stick the Other Out & Water Those Imaginary Plants

To this day, you can barely attend any event without this classic jam bringing crowds rushing to the dance floor. “The Macarena” peaked in popularity in 1996, topping the Billboard Hot 100, and even made waves at Democratic National Convention that year too. Focused primarily on the waist up, its choreographer, Mia Frye, reportedly wanted to create a dance anyone could do, regardless of age or “sense of rhythm.” Indeed, it’s incredibly satisfying to see crowds of people moving in unison, you know, except that one person who always jumps the wrong way. We know you’ve been itching to dance along since you heard the first beats of this ‘90s classic. So, all together now…