"Thriller's" Monopoly of the Dance Floor

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By Jim Shearer on 12/01/2008

This weekend my wife and I attended our seventh wedding of the year (I think that has to be some kind of record for us). Anyway, we had a great time visiting with friends and family, the cake was delicious (love the fruit filling), the weather was nice, but one thing irked me (as it has during the other weddings I've been to this year):

When did Michael Jackson's "Thriller" become a mandatory crowd participation dance?

I understand there are a gazillion YouTube videos with wedding parties doing the "Thriller" choreography to a T. There's also world record attempts and entire prison yards partaking in the ghoulishly fun activity, but if I don't know the precise moves, why should I have to leave the dance floor?

(above: Clear the floor, it's time for the damn "Thriller" dance.)

At most of the weddings I have attended this year (including the latest one), when the DJ begins playing Michael Jackson's "Thriller"--it's almost like clockwork--a group of tweenage girls will gather in the middle of the floor, line-up, and, move-for-move, begin performing Michael Jackson's choreography.

There's only one problem though--they usually aren't that good. Well, maybe I shouldn't say they all aren't that good. There is always one tween who is halfway decent, but the rest of her friends usually suck. There is also a handful of family and friends who are graciously quick to step off the dance floor and gaze at the girls like they're doing something superhuman.

During one of the weddings I attended earlier this year, I continued to dance while the "Thriller" choreography ensued, but I then realized that it's frowned upon to remain on the dance floor while a choreographed dance routine is taking place (oooooh, don't mess with the choreographed dance routine).

As my wedding season progressed, I began to dread hearing the opening chords of "Thriller." Not only did it kill the momentum of the party, but it also meant I had to watch a sloppy 4-minute dance routine that I wasn't allowed to be a part of until I learned the moves myself.

"The Electric Slide," "The Hokey Pokey," "The Macarena," "The Chicken Dance," "The Love Shack," and "Cha Cha Slide" have gained a new friend, while I have lost one (sigh). As I do with the songs mentioned above, every time I hear "Thriller" at future weddings, it will be my cue to leave the dance floor and make a trip to the bathroom or a visit to the cookie table.

Tags: Dance, Michael Jackson, Prison Yard, Thriller, Thriller Choreography, Weddings

troy.

Interesting...I've been to a good many weddings too this year (including my own), but have not been subjected to said Thriller dance.

But I'm kinda torn on this one -- while I respect freedom and independence on the dance floor, I also have respect for others who find such joy in a group dances and wouldn't mind givng them the floor for the suggested 5 min.

For instance, can you imagine if they threw on a track from Hello Nasty (albeit highly unlikely) and some idiot was trying to do the electric slide by himself while interepting a group weave -- I'd be pissed and would be like: "Give us 5 min. to do the weave and then you can do your solo elec. slide all night."

Jim Shearer

Let me break it down like this, "Thriller" used to be a party starter, now it's a party killer. Don't the guests have enough 5-minute crowd participation songs?

Add up "The Chicken Dance," "The Macarena," "The Hokey Pokey," "Cha Cha Slide," and "Thriller," and dang, you're talking a half-hour. That's a facist dance floor...

Thank goodness, your wedding skipped the above-mentioned standards...

GreyRussian

While I pretty much despise any kind of choreographed group dancing that isn't performed on a stage* in front of people who have gathered for the sole purpose of viewing choreographed group dancing, I'm having a hard time deciding if it really beats out the EveryoneStandInACircleAndClapYourHandsWhileEachPersonHumiliatesThemselvesByShowcasingTheirSo-CalledDanceMovesInTheMiddleOfSaidCircle dance. I really hate that dance.

*or the occasional JT music video-that's right, I said it.

Jim Shearer

GreyRussian,

If you ever saw Troy (above) do the Everyone-Stand-In-A-Circle-And-Clap-Your-Hands-While-Each-Person-Humiliates-Themselves-By-Showcasing-Their-So-Called-Dance-Moves-In-The-Middle-Of-Said-Circle Dance, you might change your mind. He's got some silky smooth wedding moves...

troy.

Jim: I see your point above. One or two group dances should probably be the legal limit at any wedding reception.

GreyRussian: Jim highly exaggerates my moves in the Everyone-Stand-In-A-Circle-And-Clap-Your-Hands-While-Each-Person-Humiliates-Themselves-By-Showcasing-Their-So-Called-Dance-Moves-In-The-Middle-Of-Said-Circle Dance. And I'm with you on the whole JT music video thing!

Jim Shearer

2 dance limit? Agreed.

Don't talk down your dance skills though. I don't exaggerate nuthin'.

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