The sock hop, a staple of teenage life in the 50’s and early 60’s, is making a comeback in the 21st century as a fun theme party. The poodle skirts, retro hair styles, and easy to learn dances make the sock hop a fun and family friendly option for small children or for adult costume partiesThe most essential part of a good sock hop party is the music. Fortunately, there is no shortage of songs to choose from as the 50’s and early 60’s were a prolific time for rock and roll dance music. Below you will find the top five dance songs that should be included on the playlist of any sock hop party.
“Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry: If Elvis Presley is the king of rock and roll, Chuck Berry is the godfather. One of the first real rock and roll stars, Chuck Berry brought black music to millions of white kids in the 50’s. “Johnny B. Goode” is his biggest and arguably most danceable hit. No good sock hop party would be complete without this song about a country boy “who never ever learned to read or write so well, but he could play guitar like ringing a bell.”
“At the Hop” by Danny and the Juniors: Discovered in 1957 by Dick Clark of American Bandstand fame, Danny and the Juniors only ever had one hit, but what a hit it was. “At the Hop” is the song that is most associated with the sock hop. A celebration of all the most popular dance moves of the era, this song is the perfect catalyst for a Sock Hop Party Game as the attendees try to do their best imitations of the dances named here. From the Chalypso to The Chicken to The Bop, children and adults alike will have a ball trying to follow along with the different moves.
“Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets: Considered by some to be the first rock and roll hit record, “Rock Around the Clock” is probably the best known dance song of the 50’s due to its inclusion in the film American Graffiti.
“Yakety Yak” by The Coasters: The Coasters were one of the biggest hit makers of the late fifties, with songs like “Charlie Brown” topping the charts. “Yakety Yak” was their biggest number one hit. The song, about a teenager being forced to complete his list of chores before being allowed to play, is a timeless theme that will be appreciated by children in the 21st Century just as much as it was by kids during the 50’s. With lyrics like “Take out the papers and the trash/or you don’t get no spending cash/If you don’t scrub that kitchen floor/you ain’t gonna rock and roll no more”, Yakety Yak is sure to be a popular add to any kids’ sock hop party. The rollicking saxophone solos, known as the “yakety sax” make this song very danceable as well.
“The Twist” by Chubby Checker: The newest song on this list, released in 1960 by Chubby Checker, is also one of the most essential. “The Twist” was one of the biggest hits of the sock hop era, making Chubby Checker a household name for several years. The dance associated with the song is an easy one to learn for even the most uncoordinated youngsters.
With these songs and a little planning, a sock hop party will be one your child will remember for life. Amazon.com has a number of CDs, costumes for children and adults, and decorations for your sock hop party needs.
