The mashed potato dance is a fun and energetic dance that became popular in the early 1960s. It involves twisting the body and moving the arms as if mashing potatoes. Here is a brief history of how the mashed potato dance emerged and evolved over time:
Origins in the Late 1950s
The exact origins of the mashed potato dance are unclear, but it seems to have first emerged in the late 1950s among African American teens and young adults who were developing new dances to go along with the rhythm and blues music that was growing in popularity. Two key figures who are often credited with creating the basic movements of the mashed potato are James Brown and Hank Ballard. They included moves similar to the mashed potato in their stage performances.
In November 1959, Ballard released the catchy R&B song “The Twist” which included lyrics like “come on baby, let’s do the twist”. However, most people danced to the song by doing a modified version of the mashed potato steps instead of doing the Twist. The Twist would become more popular just a few years later when Chubby Checker’s cover version was released.
Popularized by Nightclubs and Dance Shows in the Early 60s
While it originated with African American artists, the mashed potato dance gained widespread popularity in the early 1960s as rock n’ roll and R&B music spread to mainstream audiences. It became a fixture at nightclubs like the Peppermint Lounge in New York City where young people would twist and mash to the latest tunes. Some organizations for teen dances began referring to themselves as “mashed potato clubs”.
The mashed potato also got exposure through radio and television programs like “American Bandstand” and “The Buddy Deane Show” which featured the newest dances. As fans watched the go-go dancers doing the mashed potato on screen, interest in learning the dance steps surged.
Basic Steps of the Dance
The basic movement of the mashed potato dance involves lifting the heel up and down while swiveling both feet back and forth. The toes stay in contact with the floor while the heels lift and lower in a pulsing motion. Arm movements like flailing, flapping, or swinging are also incorporated. Dancers typically stay in their own little space on the dance floor when doing the mashed potato steps.
The Peak Popularity Era from 1962-1964
1962 to 1964 marked the peak of the mashed potato dance craze. Several songs were released that directly referenced the dance in their lyrics such as “Do the Mashed Potatoes” by James Brown, “Mashed Potato Time” by Dee Dee Sharp, and “(Do the) Mashed Potatoes” by Nat Kendrick & The Swans. A number of other songs had titles that played off the dance like “Mashed Potatoes U.S.A.” by Barrett Strong and “The Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett.
Dedicated dancers started coming up with more complex moves for the mashed potato, building on the basic heel drops with knee bends, shoulder shakes, crosses of the arms and legs, twisting turns, and variations in tempo. Competitive mashed potato dancing events even started being held.
The mashed potato was a simple dance that anyone could easily participate in, making it ideal for the youth-driven music scene. However, by 1964 the newer, more intricate dances the Jerk and the Pony began overtaking the mashed potato in popularity.
Popularity Declines as New Dances Emerge
From 1965 to 1967, the mashed potato was still done but was no longer the hot new fad. Some of the newer dances incorporated mashed potato movements but added more complexity. For example, the Monkey, the Funky Chicken, and the Frug integrated heel drops and arm swings from the mashed potato.
By the late 1960s, the mashed potato was seen as out-of-date and rarely showcased. However, it continued to have minor revivals and is still practiced by some dance enthusiasts today who appreciate the footwork patterns.
Influence on Later Dances and Pop Culture
While the mashed potato may have declined in popularity, it helped pave the way for many of the funk and soul dance crazes that followed in later decades. The rhythmic heel drops and body waves of dances like the Robot, Popping, Locking, and Break dancing all bear some resemblance to moves from the mashed potato.
In addition, references to the mashed potato dance continue to be made in movies, music, and television where it is nostalgically portrayed as a classic era of early rock n’ roll. Both “American Bandstand” footage of couples doing the mashed potato and James Brown’s iconic performance of the dance have been widely viewed and emulated.
Though a seemingly simple sequence of physical movements, the mashed potato dance represented a revolutionary shift in how music was danced to, particularly among young African Americans. It paved the way for greater self-expression through dance that broke away from established dance norms, helping shape pop culture for generations to come.
Conclusion
In summary, the mashed potato emerged in the late 1950s among African American communities as they put their own twist on popular R&B songs through dance. It exploded into a national craze in the early 1960s, propelled by radio, TV, and music that directly referenced “doing the mashed potato”. For a few years, the mashed potato reigned as the hot new dance. However, by the mid-60s it was overtaken in popularity by new dances that built upon its heel drops and arm motions. Though no longer widely practiced, the mashed potato made an important impact on dance and youth culture during the early rock n’ roll era with its lively energy and carefree self-expression.