# Jerk (dance)

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Popular American fad dance in the 1960s

For the 2000s dance, see [Jerkin'](/source/Jerkin').

Not to be confused with [Jerk (music genre)](/source/Jerk_(music_genre)).

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The **jerk** is a [dance](/source/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](/source/Fad_dance).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Description

The jerk is similar to [the monkey](/source/Monkey_(dance)). The arms move and hands move as if [conducting](/source/Conducting). The wrists cross in front of the chest and then sweep out in time, or at [half time](/source/Half_time_(music)), 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](/source/Record_label), "The Jerk" was a hit for the [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles) band [the Larks](/source/Don_Julian_(musician)).

- In the same year, [the Miracles](/source/The_Miracles) wrote and recorded "[Come on Do the Jerk](/source/Come_on_Do_the_Jerk)".

- Another Motown group, [the Contours](/source/The_Contours), released "[Can You Jerk Like Me](/source/Can_You_Jerk_Like_Me)" in 1964.

- [Dobie Gray](/source/Dobie_Gray) released "Monkey Jerk" as the B-side to his 1965 single "My Baby".

- [James Brown](/source/James_Brown) referenced the dance in his 1965 hit single, "[Papa's Got A Brand New Bag](/source/Papa's_Got_A_Brand_New_Bag)"

- [The Capitols](/source/The_Capitols) performed a 1966 hit song called "[Cool Jerk](/source/Cool_Jerk)", written to capitalize on the dance's popularity. The song has been covered by several bands, including [the Go-Go's](/source/The_Go-Go's).

- [Rocket from the Crypt](/source/Rocket_from_the_Crypt) recorded the song "When in Rome, Do the Jerk" in 1998 as a homage to the dance.

- [Bobby Fuller](/source/Bobby_Fuller) referenced this dance in his song, "Jenny Lee (Do the Jerk With Me)".

- [George Harrison](/source/George_Harrison) made a reference in his song, "[Dark Horse](/source/Dark_Horse_(George_Harrison_song))" from 1974.

- [Janet Jackson](/source/Janet_Jackson) made reference to jerking in her 2004 single "[All Nite (Don't Stop)](/source/All_Nite_(Don't_Stop))".

## References in popular culture

Hip hop performers [the Sugarhill Gang](/source/The_Sugarhill_Gang) mention that [Tonto](/source/Tonto_(Lone_Ranger_character)) performs the dance in their 1981 hit song "[Apache](/source/Apache_(instrumental)#The_Sugarhill_Gang:_"Apache"_(1981))".[a]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** *[Kemosabe](/source/Kemosabe)* got down, took off his mask *And kicked off his shoes and did the [Monster Mash](/source/Monster_Mash).*Tonto came along, saw what was happening *His head began to pop and his foot starts to patting*And go slam! dunk! **do the Jerk** *And with the mic is how my [smoke signals](/source/Smoke_signals) work*

## External links

- [Sixties Dance and Dance Crazes](http://www.sixtiescity.net/Culture/dance.htm)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jerk (dance)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerk_(dance)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerk_(dance)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.