Beatrice Lang
The Electric Slide is a four-wall line dance that was first introduced in 1976 by American singer and songwriter Marcia Griffiths. The song, titled Electric Boogie, was an upbeat reggae track that quickly gained popularity in Jamaica and later in other parts of the world. The dance was created by choreographer Richard L. Ric Silver, who claims to have created the 22-step routine in 1976 to the song Electric Boogie. However, as the dance gained popularity, people began to forget the final four steps, and it transformed into an 18-step performance. Silver has strongly advocated for the preservation of his original choreography, even taking legal action to protect his copyright and ensure the dance is passed down correctly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of creation | 1976 |
| Creator | Richard L. "Ric" Silver |
| Type of dance | Four-wall line dance |
| Number of steps | 22 (original), 18 (variation) |
| Song | "Electric Boogie" |
| Singer | Marcia Griffiths |
| Songwriter | Neville "Bunny Wailer" Livingston |
| Genre | Reggae |
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What You'll Learn
The Electric Slide's creation year is disputed
The Electric Slide is a four-wall line dance with a 90-degree turn between each repeat. The dance was created by choreographer and dancer Richard L. "Ric" Silver to the song "Electric Boogie" by Marcia Griffiths and Bunny Wailer. However, the creation year of the Electric Slide is disputed.
Some sources claim that Silver created the dance in 1976, the same year the song "Electric Boogie" was written and recorded. Silver claimed that he received a demo of the song in 1976 and created the dance steps to match the music. The original choreography included 22 steps, with the final four being repeated to honour the fact that Silver was born on the 22nd of January. However, as the dance grew in popularity, people began to forget the last four steps, and it evolved into an 18-step performance.
Other sources suggest that the Electric Slide gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. The song "Electric Boogie" became a mainstream success in the US in 1982 and 1989, and a remix version by Bunny Wailer was released in 1992. The 18-step variation of the dance became popular in 1989 and was listed as the number-one dance in the world by Linedancer Magazine for ten years.
Silver has been very protective of his choreography and has tried to preserve the integrity of the original 22-step sequence. He has sent takedown notices to YouTube users posting videos of people performing the 18-step variation and has even threatened legal action. In 2007, Silver was sued by videographer Kyle Machulis, who argued that Silver was infringing on his free speech rights by restricting the recording and sharing of the dance. The lawsuit was settled, with Silver agreeing to license the Electric Slide under a Creative Commons noncommercial license.
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The Electric Slide's creator, Richard L. Ric Silver
Choreographer and dancer Richard L. "Ric" Silver claims to have created the Electric Slide in 1976. The dance was set to Marcia Griffiths and Bunny Wailer's song "Electric Boogie", which was written and recorded for the first time in December 1982. Silver received a demo of the song in 1976, which he used to create his 22-step dance. The dance incorporates grapevines and a series of forward and backward steps.
Silver has expressed dismay that the final four steps of the routine are often left out, changing it from a 22-step sequence to an 18-step dance. This is particularly unacceptable to him as he specifically created a 22-step dance to honour his birthday on 22 January. Over the years, he has threatened websites with lawsuits if they did not take down videos of people performing the 18-step variation, as he owns the copyright to the dance.
In 2007, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed a lawsuit against Silver on behalf of videographer Kyle Machulis, asking the court to protect Machulis's free speech rights. The lawsuit was settled, with Silver agreeing to license the Electric Slide under a Creative Commons noncommercial license.
Despite the controversy, the Electric Slide remains one of the most popular and widely performed line dances, often danced to pop, disco, swing, blues, and Latin music.
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The Electric Boogie song
The Electric Boogie, also known as the Electric Slide, is a song by Marcia Griffiths. The song was written by Bunny Wailer in 1982 after he heard Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue". The song was written for Griffiths by Wailer, who was a childhood friend. The song was created spontaneously after the pair experimented with a rhythm box Griffiths had purchased in Toronto.
The song was originally recorded in 1976, then recorded by Griffiths in 1983, and remixed in 1989. The 1989 version is the most well-known form of the song. The song is described as having a Caribbean influence and is strongly associated with the Electric Slide line dance.
The Electric Slide was choreographed by Richard L. "Ric" Silver, who claims to have created the dance in 1976. The dance was set to Marcia Griffiths and Bunny Wailer's song "Electric Boogie". The original choreography has 22 steps, but over time the final four steps were forgotten, and the dance became an 18-step routine. Silver was unhappy with this change, particularly as he was born on the 22nd of January.
Silver has been litigious about the dance, threatening hosting websites with lawsuits if they did not take down clips of people performing an incorrect version of the dance. He owns the copyright to the dance and wants it to be passed down correctly.
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The Electric Slide's popularity
The Electric Slide is a four-wall line dance that was created by choreographer Richard L. "Ric" Silver in 1976. It was originally set to the song "Electric Boogie" by Marcia Griffiths and Bunny Wailer. The dance consists of 22 steps, including grapevines and a series of forward and backward steps. However, over time, the last 4 steps were often left out, and it became more commonly performed as an 18-step dance.
The Electric Slide gained widespread popularity and became a cultural phenomenon. It was particularly well-received due to its simplicity, catchy rhythm, and ability to bring people together. The dance saw significant traction at weddings, parties, and social gatherings across America, with large groups joining in unison, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The rise of music videos and television shows further propelled the Electric Slide into popular culture, with artists such as Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Britney Spears featuring it in their music videos. Additionally, the dance was showcased in movies like "The Parent Trap" (1998) and "Happy Feet" (2006), solidifying its place in mainstream media.
In 1989, the 18-step variation of the Electric Slide became widely popular, and for a decade, it was listed as the number-one dance in the world by Linedancer Magazine. The Electric Slide's popularity continued to endure, and it even saw a resurgence on social media platforms such as TikTok, where users created their own renditions and challenges. The dance's versatility also contributed to its lasting appeal, as it could be danced to various music genres, including pop, disco, swing, blues, and Latin riffs.
Despite some controversies surrounding the creation year and the evolution from a 22-step to an 18-step routine, the Electric Slide remains a beloved and iconic dance. It has left an indelible mark on popular culture and continues to bring joy and a sense of community to people on dance floors worldwide. The Electric Slide has truly stood the test of time and remains a favourite for people of all ages and dancing abilities.
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The Electric Slide's 22 steps
The Electric Slide, also known as The Electric, is a four-wall line dance. Choreographer and dancer Richard L. "Ric" Silver claims to have created the dance in 1976. The Electric Slide was choreographed to be danced in two lines facing each other, with the dancers circling each other. Silver created the dance as a 22-step routine to the song Electric Boogie by Marcia Griffiths and Bunny Wailer. The song was written and recorded for the first time in December 1982.
The 22 steps of the Electric Slide are as follows:
- Step to the right with your right foot
- Step to the right with your left foot, crossing it behind your right
- Step to the right with your right foot
- Bring your left foot beside your right foot and tap it on the ground
5-8. Repeat the steps in reverse, starting by stepping left with your left foot
9-12. Move backward for four counts
13-16. Step forward for four counts
17-20. Repeat steps 1-4
21-22. Step forward on your left foot, turning a quarter turn to your left; hop
Silver has been very protective of his choreography and has threatened hosting websites with lawsuits if they did not take down clips of people performing the 18-step variation of the dance. He owns the copyright to the dance and wants it to be passed down correctly. The 18-step variation gained popularity in 1989 and was listed as the number-one dance in the world by Linedancer Magazine for ten years. However, Silver was unhappy about people forgetting the final four steps of his original 22-step routine. This was particularly important to him as he was born on the 22nd of January.
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Frequently asked questions
Choreographer and dancer Richard L. "Ric" Silver claims to have created the Electric Slide in 1976.
The Electric Slide is danced to the song "Electric Boogie" by Marcia Griffiths and Bunny Wailer.
The song "Electric Boogie" was written and recorded in 1976 by Bunny Wailer. It gained popularity in Jamaica and eventually became a mainstream success in the US for Marcia Griffiths in 1982 and 1989.
The original Electric Slide choreography has 22 steps. However, the dance is often performed as an 18-step variation, which leaves out the last four steps of the original routine.
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