The dances that ruled the '80s are the most radical of any decade! Here are just a few of the majorly hot moves which are still favored in today's ever-changing world.

Breakdancing

The origin of breakdancing dates back to the late 1960's and early 1970's in the South Bronx of New York City and the term refers to the dance moves that are associated with the breaks in the music. Breakdancing involves people spinning on their head, back, knees and other body parts in addition to a multitude of different moves. While theory implies that it began as a way for rival gangs to intercede and settle disputes regarding territory, as years passed ways of thinking changed dramatically going from certain groups of people who had conflicts with one another to those who began to dance as a means of competition. Though it has been said that fights still broke out following the audience's decision as to who won. The majority of breakdancers were African American and Puerto Rican who ranged in age from youngsters and up and were regarded as B-Boys and B-Girls who usually danced on cardboard or linoleum to reduce friction between their clothing and the floor. Typically they would dance to funk or hip-hop music and quite often breakdancers would show off their abilities on street corners, clubs, parties and other events. While in the later part of the '70s rival breakdancing crews (who by then had begun to get noticed more than ever before) such as The Dynamic Rockers, Rockwell Association and the legendary B-Boys Rock Steady Crew among others would engage in battles at local hangouts and well-known venues to determine who could out-dance who.

From 1980 to 1984 breakdancing, which by then had gone mainstream was everywhere from movies including Breakin' (also known as Breakdance The Movie), Breakin' 2: Electric Bugaloo and Krush Groove in addition to many others and were featured in music videos and television programs which showcased B-Boys' and B-Girls' immense talent along with songs such as Irene Cara's smash hit "Breakdance." It became so popular that there were even instructional videotapes (new DVD's as well as VHS tapes continue to be a big seller) on how to learn to breakdance.

The number of injuries resulting from people spinning on their joints is not known but I have a feeling they accounted for a great deal of hospital and emergency room visits. Wouldn't the world be a much better and safer place if people who become physical when angered could instead just battle others with breakdancing moves?

Speaking of Which:

How many people recall when Alfonzo Ribeiro had his own breakdancing videos available for people to buy and learn all the latest moves? You're really an avid '80s fan if you remember when he dressed up as a younger version of Michael Jackson and danced with the singer in the famous Pepsi commercial in 1984 during which the Gloved One's hair caught on fire while filming.

The Robot

The Robot is a dance which simulates that of a live mannequin. The position of the dancer's body always remains firm as the joints are bent and parts of the body are kept straight while all motion begins and ends with a bit of a jerking effect to mimic creaking hinges. The Robot is often associated with popping which is another type of dance. Though it is uncertain who invented the dance, Michael Jackson did help it to become famous in 1974 while singing the song "Dancing Machine" with the Jackson 5 when he began incorporating a dance technique along with the song. By the eighties it was one of the greatest dances around and still is.

There's nothing quite like watching someone do the Robot whether it's on a street corner, through the window of a department store or any other place by which people move in a mechanical-like manner.

The Worm

Considered to be a form of breakdancing, the Worm (also called the Centipede) which has been around since the 1920's and was somewhat known in the early 1970's became huge in the early 1980's. The dance got its name because the movement resembles a worm crawling. The step begins by lying on your stomach as elbows are bent and hands are placed on the floor. Both hands remain on the floor as you straighten the arms and push your chest up then bring your chest down as elbows are once again bent then kick your legs up as high as possible at which point you lift yourself up off of the floor and begin making a rippling movement throughout the body. When your body comes down toes are pointed downward and then you sort of do a rolling movement starting from your knees all the way up to your stomach and chest as your elbows are bent while your hands move forward slightly on the floor. Repeat steps. This dance could be done two ways. Either starting from the upper body and going backwards or beginning from the lower body and going forward (which is more common).

The Worm could also be accomplished by lying on your stomach and bending your elbows while both hands are placed on the floor and as you kick your legs up and lift yourself up off of the floor begin making a rippling movement throughout the body. When your body comes down toes are pointed downward then do a rolling movement beginning from your knees to your stomach and chest as you bring both arms and hands up. Bring arms down so elbows are bent and both hands are on the floor while lying on your stomach as you kick both legs up again. Repeat steps.

During the '90s and even today the Worm remains an entertaining dance and is often performed by mascots at games. A sure way to get fans hyped up at a game or event is to have someone dressed in a costume resembling that of an animal or mammal who begins doing the Worm. That's what's referred to as a real crowd-pleaser.

Slam Dancing

Slam dancing, also referred to as moshing began in the mid 70's but started getting recognition in the early 80's when members of the audience at rockfests would begin shoving and knocking into one another, often times in a mosh pit which is an area specifically used for people to slam into each other. Usually done at music concerts, particularly punk rock, heavy metal and even rock music people frequently get on stage and start diving into the crowd. Slam dancing is still prevalent at rock concerts despite the fact that people are aware of the dangers and likely injuries which could result.

Not only is slam dancing considered to be a form of dance it could also be used as a type of stress relief. For example, if someone has a bad day or is just mad at the world he or she could attend a musical gig, go into the mosh pit and begin thrashing into everyone else (even throwing in a punch or two) possible resulting in that person releasing all of their pent-up frustration along with the probability of being sore for the next few days.

Moonwalk

In 1983 Michael Jackson (who is frequently mentioned on this site) created the name of a dance known as the Moonwalk and debuted it on the television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever while performing the hit song "Billy Jean." The object is to give the impression that the dancer is walking forward when he or she is actually sliding backward making sure that neither foot is lifted as both feet remain on the ground. While the dance looks simple enough to do it is rather complicated to master demanding much skill and patience. Though Michael Jackson did not invent the dance (as it had previously been performed by others) he did in fact make it tremendously famous and had millions of people throughout the world imitating his signature move.

Begin by standing straight as both feet are side by side. While standing on your toes lift the right heel up as you shift your weight onto the right foot and the right knee is bent while the left leg is straight. Slide the left foot backwards flat on the floor then bring the right heel down at which point you stand on your toes while lifting the left heel up as you shift your weight onto the left foot as the left knee is bent and the right leg is straight. Slide the right foot backwards flat on the floor as steps are repeated.

As soon as you bring your heel down bring the other heel up. So when your right heel is up slide the left foot backwards on the floor and when the left heel is up slide the right foot backwards on the floor. The key is to keep your foot flat on the floor when sliding backwards and to not lift it up while the heel of the other foot is lifted and vice versa. You can also move your arms forward while sliding backwards by swinging the right arm forward while sliding the left leg back and swinging the left arm forward while sliding the right leg back.

Nowadays you don't really see people doing the Moonwalk as much as you used to which is sad but it's not all together abandoned thanks to video stores and libraries which may still carry videotapes of either Michael Jackson or others demonstrating the dance, the World Wide Web enabling people to purchase new DVD's or VHS tapes of someone illustrating the steps along with the option of searching the net to view video clips of people Moonwalking and possibly other options not listed.

Running Man

The Running Man is a bodacious and quite simple dance to perform as it basically consists of running in place. It starts of by bending both elbows and moving them back and forth as you step forward on the right foot then slide the right foot backwards while lifting the left knee. Next, step forward on the left foot then slide the left foot backwards while lifting the right knee as steps are quickly repeated. The dance could be done in the same direction or the person could begin by facing forward, then by turning on one foot move to the side, back, side and come back to the front.

This is also a terrific way of exercising the whole body and a smart alternative to joining a gym.

Cabbage Patch

In 1987 a group by the name of Gucci Crew II released a song called "The Cabbage Patch" and a dance was born which had men, women and children participating in. Unlike most dances which required the use of the entire body this one was strictly for the upper part. While the elbows are bent move both the shoulders and fists back and forth in a circular motion as if churning butter. This is a cheery dance that hasn't fully gone away since people, especially when excited often begin to Cabbage Patch.

Roger Rabbit

Inspired by the 1988 movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit? this is somewhat of a difficult dance requiring accuracy for both the arms and the legs. Begin with both arms at your side while you lift the right leg then swing it behind the left as you bend the left knee up and bring elbows up. Bring elbows down as you bring the left leg down and swing it behind the right leg and now as the right knee is up elbows are up. On the third step bring both elbows down as you bring the right leg down and swing it behind the left and while both the left knee and elbows are up bring left leg down and kinda rock forward (bring elbows down) and back (bring both knee and elbows up) as the moves are repeated. In other words each time you swing your leg behind the other arms are at your side and each time your knee is up elbows are up.

The Roger Rabbit is also the perfect activity to engage in while at parties or certain social gatherings to really liven things up.