We often get asked “What are some easy line dances for seniors?”
So I thought I would highlight 8 dances, starting with a complete beginners line dance, and gradually building up in complexity.
This will quickly help improve your knowledge of moves found in modern line dances. You will also get to learn a dance for free.
First, a bit about line dancing songs and choreography
Each line dance is choreographed to a specific song, incorporating a string of moves that become the dance routine. This fundamental routine is then danced facing all 4 walls (sometimes less) of a room.
In other words you dance the whole choreography facing the instructor in front of you, and then on completion of the routine you end up facing left wall and complete the routine before turning to the back wall (in this case) and continue doing it around the room ’til the song stops.
Easy Line Dances for Seniors – and everyone else.
The following are not just for seniors but they are evergreen and great for anyone starting out.
I have chosen these dances as they can all be found on one DVD.
If you would like to learn all these dances you can find them on Vol 1 of Liz Collett’s very popular Line dancing DVD for seniors series.
- Elvira
- Houston Hustle
- Boot Scootin’ Boogie
- Stray Cat Strut
- Slap Leather / Slappin’ Leather
- One Good Reason
- Woolshed Waltz
- Cowboy Cha Cha
NOTE: Many line dances have different versions of choreography so I will be referring to the version that I am familiar with.
1 – Elvira
Elvira helps you get the basics of a vine (grape vine) and a hitch as well as a sense of rhythm and timing.
The story I like to tell is that when I started as a complete line dance beginner around 1992 when everyone wanted to learn “Achy Breaky Heart” line dance, I first learned a dance similar to Elvira.
My girlfriend at the time was a natural dancer but I certainly wasn’t, and after learning the second line dance I said to her it was easier than the first. She looked at me and said it was actually harder, but you are just starting to “click in”, so it seems easier.
Point is, if you find it hard in the beginning – stick with it as it gets easier and is great fun plus you get to meet a lot of great people – and maybe even lose a few pounds.
Choreographer
Unknown
Counts per routine / wall:
24
4 Wall Beginner Line Dance
Song originally Choreographed to
“Elvira” by the Oak Ridge Boys.
Stepsheet
2 – Houston Hustle
Houston Hustle is a faster dance that introduces some fancier foot work including fans and stomps enhancing the steps you have already learned.
Choreographer
Chuck Rademacher
Counts per routine / wall:
32
4 Wall Beginner Line Dance
Song originally Choreographed to
“You’re Right, I’m Wrong” by George Strait
StepSheet
3 – Boot Scootin’ Boogie
A perennial favorite with all line dancers. Not only is it choreographed to a great song but the choreography is simple but challenging for all levels.
Choreographer
Bill Bader
Counts per routine / wall:
32
4 Wall Beginner Line Dance
Song originally Choreographed to
“Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn
StepSheet
Dance along and Learn Boot Scootin’ Boogie by following Liz’s simple instructions in the video below.
This is an example of her easy to follow teaching style.
4 – Stray Cat Strut
A slower dance with a great “strut” that gets to your soul.
Choreographer
Unknown
Counts per routine / wall:
32
4 Wall Beginner Line Dance
Song originally Choreographed to
“Stray Cat Strut” by The Stray Cats
StepSheet
5 – Slap Leather (Slappin’ Leather)
Lets speed things up a bit with this popular line dance. Once you get this in your head you will be able to dance it to many other songs with a similar feel and speed.
Choreographer
Unknown
Counts per routine / wall:
42
4 Wall Beginner Line Dance
Song originally Choreographed to
“T-R-O-U-B-L-E” by Travis Tritt
StepSheet
6 – One Good Reason
I really enjoy this dance, mainly because I love the song by Ricky Van Shelton. It is slow and smooth, but happy, and you will just glide as you listen to the lyrics.
Don’t get too taken away by the song as I know people (very close to me) who can easily forget what step they are up to in the dance!
Choreographer
Su Marshall
Counts per routine / wall:
32
4 Wall Beginner Line Dance
Song originally Choreographed to
Unsure
Maybe “Give Me One Good Reason” by Shanley Del
but I learned it to “If they Turn Out The Lights” by Ricky Van Shelton
StepSheet
7 – Woolshed Waltz
Everyone loves a line dance waltz and I also love the Colin Raye song.
Waltzes have a very different feel to all the other dances being 3 / 4 timing so you count it as
1-2-3 | 1-2-3 | 1-2-3 | 1-2-3 |
instead of the more typical
1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4 | count.
This is a beautiful style of dance.
If you would like to learn how to count in Line Dances check out these articles.
How To Count In Country Line Dances – Part 1
How To Count In Country Line Dances – Part 2 (waltz time)
Choreographer
Kath MacManamon
Counts per routine / wall:
36
4 Wall Beginner Line Dance Waltz
Song originally Choreographed to
“The Dance” by Anne Kirkpatrick
Alternate “Dreaming My Dreams with You” by Collin Raye
StepSheet
8 – Cowboy Cha Cha
Brooks and Dunn are one of the most famous Nashville Duo’s / bands with a huge string of hits. I learned Neon Moon on guitar so it has a special place for me.
Cha Cha is a specific step that has a specific rhythm – slow, slow, quick, quick, quick where the 3 x quicks takes up the same space of time as the the 2 x slow counts. This will make more sense after learning this dance.
Choreographer
Unsure but most probably Kelly Gellette & Michelle Stremche
Counts per routine / wall:
20
4 Wall Beginner Line Dance Cha Cha
Song originally Choreographed to
“Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn
StepSheet
I sincerely hope you got some inspiration to take up line dancing for both fun and exercise.
Check out the Line dancing dvd for seniors below to learn these dances and get a good head start.
