How to Do the Line Dance for Cotton Eyed Joe
The Cotton Eyed Joe (or Cotton Eye Joe) gets a crowd to its feet. It is danced to the song "The Cotton Eye Joe," a traditional bluegrass tune that has been around since the 1800s. The upbeat, synthesized remake of the song by the band The Rednex in 1994 has given the dance a resurgence in popularity. When the first few beats of the song begin, everyone swarms to the dance floor ready to have a foot-stompin' good time.
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Instructions
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1
Stomp and kick your right leg on the first two beats of the music. After kicking, use your right leg to take a tiny step back. Switch to your left leg and take another tiny step back. Switch back to your right leg for a third step back. The three steps back happen over two beats. Finish with your weight on your right leg.
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2
Stomp and kick your left leg on the next two beats of the music. After kicking, use your left leg to take a tiny step back. Switch to your right leg and take another tiny step back. Switch to your left leg for a third step back. These three steps back also happen over two beats. Finish with your weight on your left leg.
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3
Repeat Steps 1 and 2.
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4
Shuffle forward eight times beginning with your right foot. To shuffle, step forward with your right foot, scoot your left foot up behind your right foot and then scoot your right foot forward. Switch feet and begin again: step forward with left, scoot your right foot up behind your left foot and scoot your left foot forward. Repeat three times with right and left to make eight shuffles. Each shuffle uses two beats of music.
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5
Repeat Steps 1 through 4 until the song is over.
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