Anna Gionet
There is nothing better than a line dance to get people out of their seats and onto the dance floor. A wedding staple, line dances hold a special place in peoples’ hearts and have been passed down as a tradition. As both young and old enjoy stomping their feet during the “The Cha Cha Slide” and crossing their arms to the poppy beats of “The Macarena,” we here at Shane Co. wanted to discover which line dances in each state had the wedding DJs playing them on repeat. Read on to find out!
Methodology
To compile a list of the most popular line dances in each state, we used sources from Brides and Yeah Weddings. With a list of 24 keywords to compare, we analyzed the search interest of each song across the U.S. from April 2021 to April 2022 to find out which line dances reigned supreme.
The Most Popular Line Dance in Every U.S. State
With wedding season back in full swing, Americans are ready to get down like never before. It comes as no surprise that Billy Ray Cyrus’s home state of Kentucky had the highest search volume for his hit single, “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Some states lean toward newer line dances. Alaska and Vermont, for example, both coveted Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. At face value, the lyrics are about leaving town to go start a new life — a sentiment that may resonate with some runaway brides.
Some states prefer oldies, as shown by states like Wisconsin and Massachusetts. Both had the highest search volume for “YMCA,” originally released in 1978 by the disco group Village People. Many brides are now renting out YMCA locations to host their weddings as a unique change of scenery from indoor ballrooms — so maybe it really is fun to stay at the YMCA?
“Cotton Eyed Joe,” the most popular line dance for those with good knees, is favored by residents in Montana. It actually has a bit of a complicated past, originally being sung by slaves before being recorded by the Swedish group Rednex in 1994.
The Most Popular Line Dance in Every U.S. Region
Five line dances swept the nation. When it came to the Northeast and West, “The Macarena” stole the show in states like California, Colorado, and Connecticut. Its Latin-pop influence is celebrated widely in those states.
The Midwest had a three-legged tie with popular line dances like “Copperhead Road,” “The Macarena,” and “Stanky Legg”. The hip-hop group GS Boyz popularized the dance featured in their 2009 single, which involves planting one foot on the ground while the other leg swivels at the knee as you crouch down and sway to the beat.
“Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” was one of the most searched-for line dances in the South. Consider shocking your wedding guests during the father-daughter dance with a choreographed whip and nae nae surprise.
The Most Popular Line Dance Overall
When it comes to the most popular crowd-pleaser, one came out on top. “The Macarena” was the top line dance in 13 states, followed by “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” reigning supreme in five states.
“Wobble,” similar to the electric slide, was the most popular line dance in states like Virginia and Oklahoma. The dance is great for weddings, as it involves shaking your hips and leaning your shoulders back while you wobble back and forth.
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” would be perfect for a Halloween-themed wedding. Might we suggest a skull cake topper and an unconventional but stunning black wedding dress to complete your day?
Closing Thoughts
With some of the most important memories of your wedding day made out on the dance floor, Shane Co. wants to make sure you not only have the best playlist for your guests but also the best bling to make you stand out in the line dance.
Shop our stunning collection of pearl bracelets or check out our wedding checklist to make sure you’re all set for your big day.
Rachel Nipp
Anna Gionet