14th of May is celebrated as the National Dance Like A Chicken Day, bringing the evergreen Chicken Dance into the limelight!
Whether you are dancing or revisiting the memories when you had danced, the Chicken Dance moments know how to bring a smile or laugh upon your face.
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Date of National Dance Like a Chicken Day Observance
14th of May.
History of National Dance Like a Chicken Day
Who Wrote the Chicken Dance Song?
Werner Thomas, a young Swiss had written the Chicken Dance song.
When Werner Thomas picked up his Swiss accordion to strung for composing the tune of the Chicken Dance Song, he was also only in his 20s.
Although the composition was not intended to be a song on which someone would dance like a chicken. Initially, the lyricist of the Chicken Dance song had penned it to be a drinking song during the 1950s.
The Debut of Duck Dance
Thomas restaurant was the first one who witnessed the Duck Dance in 1963. When it hit the floor, people couldn’t hold themselves from moving like a chicken.
During the 1970s, Thomas introduced the song with the new title — T-chirp-T-chirp.
New Lyrics
When Louis Van Rymenant, a Belgian music producer listened to the song in a resort, he added new lyrics to the tune.
When it aired for the people, it didn’t take much time to spread in America.
Soon, the Americans enjoyed the signature dance moves of the Duck Dance.
New Name
The title ‘Duck Dance’ changed into the ‘Dance Little Bird’ in the US when the right transferred to the September Music Corporation.
America Thrilled with Chicken Dance
It was during the 1970s when the iconic Chicken Dance began to taste its stardom in America with popular dance moves such as ‘wing’, ‘tail’, and ‘beak’.
Mr. Mills Acquired the Rights
While the tune of the Chicken Dance Song entered the market during the 1970s in the United States, Mr. Mills acquired the rights of the chicken song during the 1980s.
Some suggest that the publisher, Mr. Mills had come up with the words of the Chicken Song in 1972.
You also tried to add some English lyrics to it; they didn’t work though.
Same Tunes, Many Renditions
During the 1980s, many brands came up with new renditions and instrumental versions. Such as De Electronica.
- Hooked on Polkas album also featured one.
- Dutch Band presents its instrumental.
Despite all the possible efforts, the song didn’t do much in the early 1980s. It was in the 1980s when it got popular after getting renamed as ‘The Chicken Dance’.
It not only got fame as a hit dance number but also rocked among the commercials and karaoke versions.
Chicken Dance Song Rolled for 3 Hours
If you are wondering that what is special about playing the chicken dance song for three hours when it’s so popular, here you are the story.
It has not rolled in someone’s personal space or room, it was played on a radio station for continuous three hours, indeed over three.
It had intended to support a fundraiser who wanted to raise money for a local children’s Hospital.
To your surprise, the Chicken Dance Song which had taken birth during the 1950s was used on November 13, 2009. This little fact itself talks about its success story.
Astounding Record of the Chicken Dance
Here comes the longest Chicken Dance record!
Well, it is not made by a single person by dancing for a while, but by a line of people who occupied the 1.6 miles long space.
This ultimate dance record was witnessed in the land of North Dakota on July 4, 2010.
National Dance Like a Chicken Day Celebration Ideas
Of course, Dance Like a Chicken!
And what can be better than dancing on the all-time favorite Chicken Dance Song featuring all its popular moves — the ‘wing’ and ‘beak’ dance moves that have been in trend since the 70s.
Don the Appearance of a Chicken
How about dancing in a dress like a chicken?!
If you are not that sporty to wear something funny or crazy, you can just use a paper-beak to show your love for the National Dance Like a Day.
Features the Polka
The Chicken Dance Song comes from the classic flavors of German Oompah music. It has got that tuba-heavy baseline and close relations to Polk.
You might not find yourself a fan of polka in this area, but you can surely go in vogue with a polka dress.
Why is National Dance Like a Chicken Day Celebrated?
It’s Crazy, Yet Fun
Even if you find it embarrassing or crazy, if it can bring the smiles around, it’s the best one to flaunt.
It’s Evergreen
From your days in elementary school to the moment when you enjoy your daughter dancing on the chicken song, you can find it everywhere.
It’s fun regardless of your age, situation, time, or space. It ensures your enjoyment and entertainment no matter what.
It is ageless and timeless.
It belongs to everyone and every era.
It Leaves You Nostalgic
Remember those days in elementary school, moments with friends in college time, and last week's events when you tap the dance floor with your chicken move?!
If you have not played the chicken songs in high school, you can recall a band playing it.
If you do not have a memory of it when you were in your summer camp, you can surely associate with it when you were with the kids.
You can find your footprints while dancing like a chicken in many glances. And what you say about clapping along to the chicken song music!
It’s in memory; it’s in heart; it’s everywhere.
The gallery of our memories preserves the chicken dance moments with great joy.
It’s Silly, Yet Pappy
Does it seem silly to dance like a chicken? Well, who said that a dance move has to be brainy or stylish always?
You dance so that you can enjoy leaving all your lifelong worries at some corners.
Chicken moves are best in serving you with the real purpose of dancing, that is — getting lost to enjoy yourself.
It’s Blissful to Heart
Not because of its fun content only, but also because it’s moving. Once you have picked up the speed, dancing like a chicken is going to play your favorite mood-twister.
There can’t be an exercise better than dancing. And when a dance style makes you move out of your heart, it takes you to another level.
Where its fun content heals your heart, its moving content keeps your heart.
It’s Happy and Happening
On top of every point, the core of dance lies in feeling the happiness out of your dance moves.
For an ordinary person who is a non-dancer, simple dance moves are more enjoyable than the typical ones.
If a dance number or a dancing style can give you the feeling of happiness and fun, that’s the best one to pick.
Interesting Facts and Figures about National Dance Like a Chicken Day
Chicken Replaced the Ducks
The Chicken Dance Song was originally titled ‘Der Ententanz’.
When you translate this word, its meaning comes up as ‘The Duck Dance’.
The ducks might have been feeling jealous of the chicken for that took all the spotlight that actually belonged to them.
Oktoberfest Witnessed Its Nomenclature
Although we do not have any evidence, yet the glimpses suggest a story of the origin of its name.
It is said that the idea of its name came into light when the German polka band danced on ‘Dance Little Bird’ in chicken suits at Oktoberfest in 1981 in Tulsa, Ok.
They brought the new famous name of the song into the trend.
Some say that originally it was banned for Oktoberfest only. As per this theory, it’s another version came after the famous German drinking song.
Featured in TV Commercials
When mills showed the green flag to the appearance of the song in television commercials, he earned $7000 in the year 1990.
The journey of making money through this song didn’t end here.
In 1995, he made whooping $50,000 out of it.
Over 40 Million Sold
It not only gained popularity in the hearts of the people, charts, parties, and the list of hits but also in the series of a bestseller.
Globally, more than 40 million copies of it were sold.
It’s a Chart-buster
When Dutch band De Electronica presented an adopted song with a new cover in 1980, the song came up as a massive hit.
It was titled ‘De Vogeltjesdans’ which means – ‘Dance Little Bird’.
The song topped the Dutch charts for a long and even after 29 weeks, it was seen saying peekaboo to the charts by marking its presence at #8.
Number of Versions
You will be wondered by knowing that this simple song has over 140 versions in which it is recorded officially.
