Dance of the Late 1950s-'The Stroll'

Anyone who grew up in the late 1950s, knows of this dance, ‘The Stroll’ which was previewed on the popular ‘American Bandstand’ TV show in 1957. The new dance had the boys line up on one side of the dance floor, the girls line up on the other side, and one from each group meet in the middle to “stroll” down the lane between the two sides. This was considered a slow rock ‘n’ roll dance. Originally performed to the song “C. C. Rider” by Chuck Willis on American Bandstand. Then the singer, ‘The Diamonds’, did the Stroll song and their song reached number 4 on the Billboard pop charts in 1957, and it inspired a dance craze that swept the nation!

The aim was to give the couple the focus – whether they’re showing off their clothes, their moves, or just how much fun they’re having.

With 1970s TV and movies set in the 1950s like ‘American Graffiti’, ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Grease’ more people learned about this once-popular dance.

The beginning lyrics were:

Come, let’s stroll
Stroll across the floor
Come, let’s stro-oh-oh-oll
Stroll across the floor
Now turn around, baby
Let’s stroll once more

Photo: Dancers doing the Stroll in 1957.

Related FamilyTree.com Blogs:

Scandalized Dances of the 1910s

Slang of the 1950s

Poodle Skirt of the 1950s

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