Country  •  Traditional Country

Square Dance

Overview Albums Songs

In the days before World War II, Square Dances were one of the main social gatherings for rural Americans. At these community dances, Western swing and uptempo traditional country were often played -- it was all designed to get the patrons dancing. In the years after WWII, square dancing lost its popularity as honky tonks became a preferred gathering place. Square dancing survived as a nostalgic form, and the music that was played at these dances was essentially the same as before, yet like its jazz equivalent, Dixieland, it was devoid of any innovation -- it was a stylistic exercise. Unlike Dixieland, where genuinely talented musicians and stylists flourished, square dancing basically served as a function, without offering musicians any place to showcase their skills. As a result, whenever square dancing reached record, it was by and large generic, and only available on albums where the musicians weren't credited.