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First off, let me just say, I by no means am saying these are the best dance moves of the 80's. What this list is compiled of, is dance moves that are clearly identified with the person listed. It is their "signature" moves. Some are good and others are just down right laughable.
Now, with that said, let's travel back a bit to a time when dancing ability could make you or break you.
Honorable Mention
David Byrne
Convulsions/Arm Chop
David Byrne from The Talking Heads was about as strange as they came back in the 80's. However, he was never quite as strange as he was when doing the Convulsion Dance and the Same As It Ever Was Arm Chop. Well, at least that's what I call these crazy moves.
The Convulsions start at the beginning of this video and the Arm Chop begins around 3:57.
#10
Molly Ringwald
The Molly Ringwald
This was the dance that almost all the girls used on the dance floors in the 80's. You will see Molly doing it at 1:17 and 1:36 of this video that somebody brilliantly put together on YouTube.
#9
Chunk
The Truffle Shuffle
I was never a big Goonies fan, but you cannot deny Chunk owning The Truffle Shuffle. I bet he got all the chicks with that dance.
#8
Patrick Dempsey
The African Anteater Ritual
The set-up: Patrick Dempsey has to learn to dance in a hurry, so he gets up the morning of the dance to watch Bandstand and get some tips. What he doesn't know is he isn't watching Bandstand. After practicing what he sees on the tv, he walks out of the room and his little brother walks in while the dance is getting over on the tv. He stops to watch as a black man in full African garb steps in front of the camera. The little brother then says the classic line "Now that ain't Dick Clark." Ends up Dempsey, unknowingly, has just learned how to do the African Anteater Ritual on the African Cultural Hour.
#7
Axl Rose
The Snake Dance
Don't know what else to call it except for the Axl Rose Snake Dance. And it is definitely unique to Axl. You'll find him doing it throughout the Sweet Child 'O Mine video above. Enjoy!
#6
Milli Vanilli
Leg Swing
I don't really care if they sung this song or not, they danced their asses off. And besides it was still good music regardless. You'll see the signature move around 3:50.
#5
Michael Jackson
Leg Kick
This guy starts the Leg Kick around :25 and stops around :31. He's about as good as I've seen do it besides Michael Jackson.
#4
Ickey Woods
The Ickey Shuffle
I wish I could have found a better video to show you the Ickey Shuffle during Ickey Woods playing days. This is all I could find, but needless to say when you think of Ickey Woods the Ickey Shuffle immediately comes to mind.
#3
Rick Astley
The Card Shuffle
A full 5 minutes of being Rick Rolled. How do you feel? This guy's dance move was so memorable, today's generation uses it as a practical joke.
#2
Michael Jackson
Crotch Grab
What more can you say about Michael Jackson? Not much. He had a way of turning the strange into the next big thing.
#1
Michael Jackson
Moonwalk
Not only the greatest move of the 80's, but the greatest move of all time. It just seemed impossible that you were seeing what you were looking at.
Well I hope you enjoyed watching the bad as well as the good dance moves. Can you think of others that belong? Leave your opinions in the comments below.
I'll be typin' at ya later,
Bob the Blogger
