The Madison Time
In 1959, Joan Darby and Joe Cash danced "The Madison Time" in the Buddy Dean show.
Music: The Madison Time by the Ray Bryant Combo.
During the end of the 50s and the beginning of the 60s, the "Madison craze" involved a large number of singers, musicians and dancers and was the potting soil of a lot of solo dances which became the landmark of a whole generation of youths throughout the world.
Ref: Wikipedia
STEPS
Fetched by Grok:
The **Madison** is a classic novelty/line dance from the late 1950s–early 1960s that became a nationwide craze (especially after being featured in movies like *Hairspray* and on TV shows). It is a non-partner, set-pattern line dance done in straight lines facing the same direction (not a circle or contra formation). It is very structured, repetitive, and easy to learn.
The dance is built around a repeating 16-count sequence (sometimes described as 18 counts with holds). The original music it was done to was “The Madison” by Al Brown’s Tunetoppers (or Ray Bryant’s version), but it works with almost any medium-tempo 4/4 music.
### Basic Madison Step Sequence (16–18 counts total)
Everyone starts facing forward in straight lines, feet together.
1–2 | **Touch left heel forward** (1), **step left beside right** (2)
3–4 | **Touch right heel forward** (3), **step right beside left** (4)
5–6 | **Touch left toe back** (5), **step left beside right** (6)
7 | **Touch right toe back** (7), **hold** (&), **step right beside left** (8)
(Now a little “hitch” or bounce in place)
8+ | Double bounce/heels apart-together (or just step together on 8)
9–10 | **Step forward on left** (9), **slide/step right beside left** (10)
11–12| **Step forward on left** (11), **touch right beside left and clap** (12)
13 | **Step back on right making a ¼ turn left** (pivot on left foot so you’re now facing left wall) (13)
14 | **Touch left beside right and clap** (14)
15 | **Step back on left** (15)
16 | **Touch right beside left and clap** (16)
17 | **Step forward on right** (17)
18 | **Touch left beside right and clap** (18)
After count 18 (or 16), you immediately restart the entire sequence now facing the new wall (left of original).
Every time you hit the turning step (count 13, you turn 90° left, so after four complete cycles you’ve made a full square and are back facing front.
### Styling Notes
- The dance is done very “cool” and relaxed in the original 1960s style – loose knees, almost a slight swagger.
- Arms swing naturally or hang loose; claps are crisp.
- Some versions add a little “freeze” or pose on the claps.
- In modern country or line-dance settings, you’ll sometimes see a slightly simplified version or people doing it to faster country songs.
### Summary of the pattern (short form people use to call it)
- Heel, together, heel, together
- Toe, together, toe, together-together
- Forward two, clap-turn
- Back, clap, forward, clap
(repeat, turning ¼ left each time)
That’s the classic Madison – simple, social, and instantly recognizable once the music starts!
