How the dance craze came to Chicago conventions

It’s been a while since the Democratic National Convention (DNC) was last held in Chicago — back in 1996, when Bill Clinton and Al Gore were on the winning ticket — but to illustrate the passage of time through a pop culture lens, it was so long ago… that attendees put on a group performance of the Macarena.

If the idea of ​​the 1990s seems from another era, the images from that year’s convention — held at Chicago’s United Center, where it will return in 2024 when Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz formally accept the nomination — look otherworldly, as a group of delegates sang and danced along to the song, complete with a booty-shaking finale.

It’s hard to watch the C-SPAN footage and not go back in time as then-first lady Hillary Clinton, in a pink suit and short haircut, cheered them on, wisely not participating herself. (When she herself ran for president in 2016, the clip resurfaced. She made it go viral again in 2020.)

There were varying degrees of dancing prowess on display, which made it all the more entertaining. Honestly, you have to give the attendees an E for effort. If this had happened today during a break between convention speakers, we're guessing everyone would be too busy looking at their phones to notice.

The “Macarena” craze at the 1996 Democratic National Convention

“Macarena” by Spanish pop duo Los del Río was originally released in 1993. Antonio Romero — Inspired by the movements of a flamenco dancer. —I came up with it during a studio session and recorded it with my partner Rafael Ruiz.

Although the song was a modest success, a remix released by Miami producers the Bayside Boys on August 3, 1996, had a different impact. The newer version featured a danceable beat and risqué English lyrics about a hip-swinging woman named Macarena: “Everybody wants me, they can’t have me/So everybody come and dance by my side… And if you’re good, I’ll take you home with me”; and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for 14 weeks.

This was made possible by the music video, choreographed by and starring Mia Frye, which was essentially a dance tutorial, going over the moves step-by-step, performed by a group of women in short shorts.

Just three weeks after the remix came out, the Democratic National Convention took place, from August 26 to 29, and the song was already a catchy hit that got people moving. The Macarena became a “nightly ritual.” In Chicago, according to the The New York Times coverage.

When Gore addressed the convention, he used the song as a joke. He joked that he would demonstrate his version of the viral dance and then stood there like a statue, mocking his reputation for being uptight.

The New York Times described the scene of dancing delegates as “a virtual music video” and said it “signaled the Democrats’ vitality, ethnic variety (the song has lyrics in both English and Spanish) and relative ease” following the Republican National Convention two weeks earlier, where Bob Dole — who, at 73, was 23 years older than current President Bill Clinton — accepted his party’s nomination. However, the New York Times reported that “Macarena” was also played at the Republican National Convention, where it did not connect in the same way or inspire a dance marathon.

It wasn't “Macarena” all the time at the 1996 Democratic National Convention. The Democratic convention also featured live performances by Aretha Franklin, Emmylou Harris and the Broadway cast. Rentwhich the New York Times compared to a “variety show” with “overtly symbolic guest appearances.”

It's important to note that while “Macarena” was played at the Democratic National Convention, it was never an official campaign song. Bill Clinton used Fleetwood Mac's 1977 “Don't Stop” beginning in 1992 (the group reunited for Clinton's inauguration in 1993).

Dana Gorzelany-Mostak – creator of Trax on the roada website and database that tracks music from U.S. presidential campaigns, told the Kansas City Star that politicians use music to “get the crowd going and transition between speakers.” Over time, the type of music played has shifted from American standards to pop. Gorzelany-Mostak noted that Bill Clinton’s use of “Don’t Stop” paved the way.

What will be the soundtrack to this year's Democratic National Convention?

Those who tune in this year will hear Beyoncé’s 2016 anthem “Freedom,” which is Harris’ official campaign song. made a surprise appearance the first night in Chicago with the song that welcomes him to the stage. If not a recorded version, performed by the DNC DJ who is helping to infuse the convention with “spark,” then perhaps a surprise live performance, as many are hoping for.

Equally talked about (and also entirely speculative) is Taylor Swift's plan to make a surprise appearance and promote a concert. Swift is currently on tour, which will end her six-day run at London's Wembley Stadium on August 20. She won't be back on tour until October 18.

On August 18, Mickey Guyton and Jason Isbell performed at a “For the People”-themed event where President Biden addressed the convention. (James Taylor had to wait a little longer for his time.)

While not all acts have been announced, there will be plenty of music in Chicago this week. At parties surrounding the convention (more than 100 events will take place), John Legend, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Drive-By-Truckers, SistaStrings and Lil Jon will all be performing at events.