You’re at a party when you hear those notes: “Duhda Duhda Dadah Da-clap clap clap clap.” Suddenly, everyone on the dance floor is flapping their arms and shaking their tail feathers. It’s the Chicken Dance Song! (or is it a Duck?). Where did the Chicken Dance originate? And how is it that a song labeled “the most annoying song of all time” in 2000 still brings smiles to so many faces? The history of the Chicken Dance dates back to the 1960s, although at first, they called it Vogeltanz or Ententanz. This simple little song got its start in a Swiss Ski Resort and almost topped the charts in England and the Netherlands before crossing the Atlantic to become an International sensation. We can blame the “Chicken Dance” name on Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Oktoberfest, but that comes later.
The Chicken Dance – also known by names like the Bird Song, the Duck Dance, and the Birdie Dance – is one of the most iconic party dances in the world With its goofy moves mimicking a chicken and insanely catchy music, it has become a staple at events from weddings to sporting events But where did this bizarre yet beloved dance originate from?
As it turns out, the Chicken Dance has a fascinating backstory that spans cultures and decades Its quirky tune was originally composed in the 1950s by a Swiss accordion player named Werner Thomas However, the dance moves and eventual chicken theme evolved gradually over many years as the melody spread across the globe.
Here’s more about the interesting history of the Chicken Dance and how a simple European folk song became a dance craze that still makes millions of people happy today:
The Egg-cellent Origins: Werner Thomas and “Der Ententanz”
The Chicken Dance’s story begins in Switzerland in the 1950s. This is when Swiss accordionist Werner Thomas first composed the tune that would later define the dance. He originally called his composition “Der Ententanz,” which translates to “The Duck Dance” in German.
Thomas frequently performed the bouncy “Ententanz” melody at Swiss resorts and restaurants throughout the 50s and 60s. It was intended as a fun, lighthearted song for children’s entertainment and local celebrations.
So while we now associate the tune with flapping wings and wiggling tails, its first incarnation was as an upbeat accordion song for Swiss holidaymakers to enjoy. The specific dance moves had not yet hatched.
From Duck to Bird to Chicken: Morphing Names and Associations
As “Der Ententanz” gradually gained popularity in Switzerland and neighboring countries like Germany and Austria, its name began to evolve. “Duck Dance” remained in use, but variations like “Vogeltanz” (Bird Dance) also emerged.
The chicken connection didn’t come until much later. It probably caught on when the dance came to the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s. For Americans, the moves that looked like birds made them think of chickens more. Different names we see today come from different associations in different parts of the world.
The Global Coop: Widespread Popularity in the 80s
While originally an obscure European folk tune, the Chicken Dance exploded in popularity globally in the late 70s and 80s. Some key factors propelled its transition into a mainstream party staple:
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Revival of Accordion Music—Werner Thomas’s piece became famous again when people became interested in traditional European folk music.
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Adaption and Accessibility – The simple dance moves and catchy melody made it easy for people of all ages and cultures to learn and enjoy.
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Media Exposure: Band covers and use in TV shows like “The Golden Girls” raised awareness.
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Localization – Regions added their own spin, fueling engagement. “El Baile de los Pajaritos” in Spanish, “Tralalala” in Finnish.
Why Does It Endure? Joy, Inclusiveness and Nostalgia
What explains the Chicken Dance’s longevity and staying power after all these years? A few reasons it remains a party favorite:
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It inherently creates joy and inclusiveness. The dance is about letting loose and having fun.
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It brings about nostalgia. For many it harkens back to weddings and events of their youth.
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It breaks down barriers. Simple repetitive moves are universally understood.
So while born in Switzerland as “Der Ententanz,” the Chicken Dance has become a global phenomenon thanks to its lightheartedness and universal appeal. Even decades later, it still succeeds in ruffling feathers and getting the party started!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Chicken Dance
Here are answers to some common questions to further unwrap the quirky history of this iconic dance:
Where did the Chicken Dance actually originate?
The tune was composed in Switzerland in the 1950s by Werner Thomas, originally as “Der Ententanz” (The Duck Dance). The chicken theme and widespread popularity came later.
What’s the original Chicken Dance song called?
“Der Ententanz” (The Duck Dance) created by Swiss musician Werner Thomas in the 1950s. English lyrics and the chicken associations came much later.
How did the Duck Dance become the Chicken Dance?
It likely evolved during the international spread in the 70s and 80s as cultures attached their own meanings. The American version gravitated toward chicken references.
When did the Chicken Dance get popular in America?
Mainly the 1980s thanks to media like The Golden Girls and its adoption in polka and German-American communities.
Who invented the Chicken Dance moves?
Unclear, as they developed gradually over time. Werner Thomas created a simple dance for “Der Ententanz” but the modern Chicken Dance choreography likely arose collectively.
Is the Chicken Dance copyrighted?
The original composition may be under copyright but the simple dance moves themselves are considered public domain.
Does the Chicken Dance have different versions globally?
Yes! Regional versions incorporate local languages, tunes, and moves – “Tralalala” (Finland), “El Baile de los Pajaritos” (Mexico), and more.
The Enduring Legacy: Bringing Joy for Generations
In the end, the Chicken Dance remains popular today because it encapsulates unbridled joy and fun. While its origins may have been in 1950s Switzerland, it has earned a place in gatherings and pop culture across continents. Even decades later, it still succeeds as an uplifting party anthem that both young and old can cluck along to!
So next time you’re flapping wings or wiggling your tail feathers, remember you’re taking part in a timeless tradition that spans cultures. From “Der Ententanz” to dance floor filler, the Chicken Dance has certainly earned its wings as a staple of celebrations worldwide!
Across the Atlantic, things were popping too!
The Emeralds, a Polka band out of Edmonton Alberta Canada, recorded a Polka Version of the “Bird Dance” on their new K-TEL album in 1982, and it went DOUBLE PLATINUM!! This extraordinarily popular version of the song even showed up in a few movie soundtracks, including “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius“.
The Origin of the Chicken Dance Song
In 1955, a Swiss accordion player named Werner Thomas had a great time watching birds. He wrote a little tune about how the ducks moved as they swam around the nearby pond. Werner didn’t tell anyone about his creation until 1963, when he played a song he called “the Ententanz” (Duck Dance) at a restaurant in Davos, a ski resort town. People loved the bouncy tune! And naturally, they got up to dance.
Slowly, the dance started to take on specific forms, like arms and tails. It’s not clear if Thomas Werner came up with the moves or if the dancers in Davos did. Werner says the moves reminded him of skiers at the resort. The way they flapped their arms and waddled their feet in skis.
This dance and tune might have stayed hidden away in Davos, but in 1971, Belgian music publisher Louis Julien van Rigmenant happened to go on a ski trip and discovered gold instead. After acquiring the “Vogeltanz,” he published it under the name “Tschip Tschip” with a band called Bobby Setter’s Cash & Carry. They upgraded from simple accordion to SYNTHESIZER! Because, as everyone knows, EVERYTHING sounds wilder on a Synthesizer.
The tune sold 1 MILLION copies in the first year!!! Tschip Tschip indeed!
A million sales in one year attracted the attention of American music publisher Stanley Mills. He had just founded his company, September Music Corp., and was working on filling the catalog. The crazy bird song appealed to him, so he brought it to the United States, where he sold it to anyone making a Polka Album. Mills even wrote lyrics for the song!
“Hey you’re in the swing You’re plucking like a bird pluck pluck pluck You’re flapping your wings Don’t you feel absurd pluck pluck pluck”
The words didn’t catch on.
Still, by 1980, the song was being played at Oktoberfests and other German events in the United States. The “Vogel Tanz” or “Enten Tanz” was starting to gain traction and develop a flock… I mean following… in Milwaukee and Cleveland. I need to check with the Freistadt Alte Kameraden. How long have they been playing this one?