{{Short description|Popular American fad dance in the 1960s}} {{For|the 2000s dance|Jerkin'}}{{Distinguish|Jerk (music genre)}}{{multiple issues| {{nofootnotes|date=September 2009}} {{refimprove|date=September 2015}} }}
The '''jerk''' is a [[dance]] in which performers make sudden movements by jerking their body back and forth. It rose to popularity in the 1960s, where it became a [[fad dance]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
==Description== The jerk is similar to [[Monkey (dance)|the monkey]]. The arms move and hands move as if [[conducting]]. The wrists cross in front of the chest and then sweep out in time, or at [[Half time (music)|half time]], with the music. The hands are up at face level. On count 1, the outward sweep, the hands are quickly pushed out, giving the jerky motion. For a little more style, the fingers may be snapped on the two outward movements—the first and third counts of the hand motion.
==Songs featuring or suggesting the dance== *Released as a single in 1964 on the Money [[record label]], "The Jerk" was a hit for the [[Los Angeles]] band [[Don Julian (musician)|the Larks]]. *In the same year, [[the Miracles]] wrote and recorded "[[Come on Do the Jerk]]". *Another Motown group, [[the Contours]], released "[[Can You Jerk Like Me]]" in 1964. *[[Dobie Gray]] released "Monkey Jerk" as the B-side to his 1965 single "My Baby". *[[James Brown]] referenced the dance in his 1965 hit single, "[[Papa's Got A Brand New Bag]]" *[[The Capitols]] performed a 1966 hit song called "[[Cool Jerk]]", written to capitalize on the dance's popularity. The song has been covered by several bands, including [[the Go-Go's]]. *[[Rocket from the Crypt]] recorded the song "When in Rome, Do the Jerk" in 1998 as a homage to the dance. *[[Bobby Fuller]] referenced this dance in his song, "Jenny Lee (Do the Jerk With Me)". *[[George Harrison]] made a reference in his song, "[[Dark Horse (George Harrison song)|Dark Horse]]" from 1974. *[[Janet Jackson]] made reference to jerking in her 2004 single "[[All Nite (Don't Stop)]]".
==References in popular culture== Hip hop performers [[the Sugarhill Gang]] mention that [[Tonto (Lone Ranger character)|Tonto]] performs the dance in their 1981 hit song "[[Apache (instrumental)#The Sugarhill Gang: "Apache" (1981)|Apache]]".{{efn|''[[Kemosabe]]'' got down, took off his mask<br> ''And kicked off his shoes and did the [[Monster Mash]].<br> ''Tonto came along, saw what was happening<br> ''His head began to pop and his foot starts to patting<br> ''And go slam! dunk! '''do the Jerk'''<br> ''And with the mic is how my [[smoke signals]] work''}}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==External links== *[http://www.sixtiescity.net/Culture/dance.htm Sixties Dance and Dance Crazes]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jerk, The}} [[Category:Dance crazes]] [[Category:1960s fads and trends]]