Mashed Potato

This article is about the dance craze. For other uses, including the food, see Mashed potato (disambiguation).

The Mashed Potato is a dance move which was a popular dance craze of 1962. It was danced to songs such as Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time". Also referred to as "mash potato" or "mashed potatoes", the move vaguely resembles that of the Twist, by Sharp's fellow Philadelphian, Chubby Checker.

Dance movement

The dance begins by stepping backward with one foot with that heel tilted inward. The foot is positioned slightly behind the other (stationary) foot. With the weight on the ball of the starting foot, the heel is then swiveled outward. The same process is repeated with the other foot: step back and behind with heel inward, pivot heel out, and so on. The pattern is continued for as many repetitions as desired. The step may be incorporated in various dances either as a separate routine or as a styling of standard steps.

Versions

James Brown had two Mashed Potato-related chart hits, "(Do the) Mashed Potatoes" (1959; sung by King Coleman and performed by Brown's band under the pseudonym Nat Kendrick and the Swans) and "Mashed Potatoes U.S.A." (1962); Brown also featured the dance prominently in his live performances during the 1950s and '60s. The dance was also referred to in Connie Francis' 1962 hit "V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N" ("...we'll Mashed Potato to a jukebox tune..."), "Do You Love Me" by The Contours, "Let's Dance" by Chris Montez, "Harry the Hairy Ape" a 1963 Top-20 pop and R&B novelty hit by Ray Stevens, and "Land of a Thousand Dances", a song made popular by Wilson Pickett. Bill Haley & His Comets had a Latin American hit in 1963 with "Pure de Papas", a song based on the dance craze.

A variation on the Mashed Potato was danced to Bobby "Boris" Pickett's novelty hit "Monster Mash," in which the footwork was the same, but monster gestures were made with the arms and hands.

The original Dee Dee Sharp recording featured in the film Hairspray (1988).

Preceded by "Soul Twist" by King Curtis

"Mashed Potato Time" by Dee Dee Sharp Billboard Hot R&B Singles number-one single April 28, 1962 – May 19, 1962 (four weeks)

Succeeded by "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ray Charles

External links

• Dance Step Definitions