Specific Dances

Sometimes songs are written with certain beats and tempos that make them ideal background soundtracks for individual types of dances. This series of songs highlights those with titles referencing a specific dance.

For more information on each piece click on the specific image.

 

Circa 1844 Composed by --- New York : Atwill's Music Repository

Circa 1844
Composed by —
New York : Atwill’s Music Repository


Title:
The New York Polkas, as danced by Mlle. Pauline Desjardins & Mons. Gabriel De Korponay

Date: Circa 1844

Composer:

Dance: Polka
The polka was a dance that originated in Central Europe during the mid-19th century. It spread throughout Europe and the U.S. and is still popular in areas with a large Central European population.

 

 

 

Circa 1913 Composed by J. Tim Brymn New York : Jos. W. Stern & Co.

Circa 1913
Composed by J. Tim Brymn
New York : Jos. W. Stern & Co.


Title:
La Rumba (El Danson Social): Tango Argentine

Date: Circa 1913

Composer: J. Tim Brymn

Dance: Tango
The tango as a dance and musical genre first appeared in the late 1800s in Argentina and Uruguay. It quickly gained popularity and spread internationally.

 

 

 

 

Audio file taken from the Library of Congress. Click here to view the original site.

 

Circa 1899 Composed by Arthur Pryor St. Joseph, Mo. : Brokaw Music Pub. Co.

Circa 1899
Composed by Arthur Pryor
St. Joseph, Mo. : Brokaw Music Pub. Co.


Title:
Southern Hospitality: Characteristic Rag-Time Cake-Walk

Date: Circa 1899

Composer: Arthur Pryor

Dance: Cake-Walk
A cakewalk was originally a type of dance that was popular in the Southern United States, particularly amongst the slaves on large plantations. As the dance became more popular, a tradition of awarding a cake to the best couple supposedly led to the origin of the phrase “taking the cake.”

 

 

Circa 1911 Composed by Paul Pratt Indianapolis : J.H. Aufderheide & Co.

Circa 1911
Composed by Paul Pratt
Indianapolis : J.H. Aufderheide & Co.


Title:
That Ever Lovin’ Bear-Cat Dance

Date: Circa 1911

Composer: Paul Pratt

Dance: Bear-Cat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1897 Composed by Mary E. Walsh Chicago : McKinley Music Co.

1897
Composed by Mary E. Walsh
Chicago : McKinley Music Co.


Title:
The “Black Hawk” Waltz

Date: 1897

Composer: Mary E. Walsh

Dance: Waltz
The official origin of the waltz is unclear but one of the older versions began in Vienna in the late 18th century. By the turn of the 20thcentury various forms of a waltz existed across Europe and the U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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