Do The Twist Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chubby Checker

Probably one of the best known songs around the world, "The Twist" is one of the iconic rock-and-roll tracks of all time. It was written and released by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters in 1959. However, it was the 1960 cover version of the song by Chubby Checker which skyrocketed the song to fame. After Checker performed the song on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" in August 1960, it became an instant hit. His version reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 19 1960. The performance also sparked a dance frenzy with "The Twist" becoming the "must-do" dance of the day. "The Twist" was declared one of the "biggest hits of the 1960's" by Billboard and still remains popular today.

As far as the dance is concerned, Checker described it as "like putting out a cigarette with both feet and coming out of the shower and wiping your bottom with a towel to the beat".

Answer: Psy

"Gangnam Style" is the 2012 single released by the South Korean artist Psy, whose real name is Park Jae-sang. The song and its accompanying video became an instant hit going viral around the world. It was the first video to reach one billion views on YouTube and reached the number one spot on charts in over thirty countries. It was described by the Secretary of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon as a "force for world peace". Gangnam refers to the affluent and sought after suburb of Gangnam in Psy's home town of Seoul. He has stated that the song "pokes fun at those kinds of people who are trying very hard to be something they're not".

As for the dance the song inspired - imagine assuming a horse riding position while bouncing from foot to foot and pretending to throw a lasso and you have the idea!

Answer: The Bangles

"Walk Like an Egyptian" is the Liam Sternberg song made famous by the American pop-rock group The Bangles, after Toni Basil was offered, but declined the record it. Released as a single from The Bangles' album "Different Light", it achieved major success and was designated as Billboard's number one song of 1987. Sternberg has stated that he was inspired to write the song when watching people on a ferry made him think of the paintings found on the walls of Egyptian tombs.

As for the dance inspired by the song, imagine a bobbing bird. The basis of the dance is a belly-dancing Egyptian walk with the arms bent as right angles and the palms together.

Answer: Little Eva

An ever popular example of the "dance genre" song, "The Loco-Motion" was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It first achieved fame in 1962 when Little Eva took it to number one in the US charts. There have been numerous versions of the song, most notably the one by Grand Funk Railway in 1974 and by Australia's Kylie Minogue in 1988.

As for the dance inspired by Little Eva's version of the song, it goes like this. The idea is to simulate the "chugga-chugga motion" of a railroad train with your arms while swinging your hips and moving round the floor.

Answer: Los del Rio

"Macarena" was a dance song released by Los del Rio, a Spanish duo consisting of Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruiz, on August 15 1995. The catchy song became an instant hit worldwide, garnering numerous records and accolades. It spent fourteen weeks atop the American charts. In 2002, VH1 declared the "Macarena" the "Number One Greatest One Hit Wonder of All Time"

As for the dance the song inspired. It is a perennial favourites at parties and weddings. There are a number of moves which require making complicated patterns with your arms involving the shoulders and the hips while all the while moving and shaking your hips.

Answer: Village People

One of the most most iconic songs of the disco era, "Y.M.C.A" was released by the American group, Village People, in 1978 as a single from their album "Cruisin'". It became the group's greatest hit reaching number one on charts around the world, although it only got as far as number two in the US. Besides its popularity on earth, "Y.M.C.A." also made into outer space when it was the Space Shuttle Wakeup Call on day eleven on mission STS-106!

As for the dance inspired by the song, it basically involves people making the shapes of the various letters of the song's title with their arms. One of the easier dances to do, it has ensured the ongoing popularity of the song and is one of the most performed songs and dances at social events.

Answer: Chic

"Le Freak" is the 1978 song recorded by the American group Chic which was led by Bernard Edwards and Neil Rodgers. The song came to be written when Bernard and Edwards were refused entry to the famous Studio 54 nightclub in New York on New Year's Eve in 1977 as their names did not appear on the guest list. The song proved extremely popular and became the first song to make the number one slot on the Billboard Hot 100 on three separate occasions.

As for the dance inspired by the song. It is a series of moves in four parts which involves a lot of stepping back and forth with your feet interspersed with kicks and a step known as the Grapevine.

Answer: Michael Jackson

"Billie Jean" is one of Michael Jackson's signature tunes. Release in 1983, the song was the second single from Jackson's record breaking album "Thriller". The song was a runaway success topping charts worldwide and helping garner the title of "best selling album" for "Thriller".

And the dance associated by the song. The Moonwalk was Michael Jackson's signature move. Although versions of a similar step had been around for years, it was Jackson's performance of "Billie Jean" on the TV special "25 Years of Motown" in 1983 where he included the Moonwalk that popularised the dance around the world. The dances involves repetitive steps which make the person appear as if they are gliding backwards while looking like they are trying to go forward.

Answer: James Brown

"Mashed Potatoes U.S.A." was a single released by the "Godfather of Soul", James Brown in 1962. Although it was moderately successful, reaching as high as twenty-one on the R&B charts, the song is best known for being one of the songs that inspired the Mashed Potato dance fad. The Mashed Potato became synonymous with James Brown who often used it in concert. Other songs which inspired the dance were Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time" and "(Do the) Mashed Potato" by Nat Kendrick and the Swans.

As for the dance inspired by the song, the basic step consists a swivelling and pivot action of the feet while stepping back that it is repeated as many times as required. It is often used in choreography where it is combined with other steps.

Answer: Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony

Released in 1975 by Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony, "The Hustle" is one of the best known songs of the disco era. It nabbed a number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and also won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance at the 1976 awards ceremony.

As for the dance itself . The Hustle was extremely popular in nightclubs during the 1970's disco era. However, with the release of the Van McCoy single, it became an international phenomenon. The Hustle involves eight basic steps mixed together with some swing and salsa type moves. There are a number of different variations of the dance.