The best selling novel-turned-Speilberg movie, Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline, has everyone thinking back to the 80's.
From the John Hughes teen movies to the synthesizer-heavy tunes, the book itself is enough to make you want to peg your pants, feather your hair, and pull your trusty boom box out of your mom's garage.
Whether you end up doing that or end up streaming the playlist on Spotify or iTunes, you're going to need some dance moves like Wade Watts needed to find the Halliday's egg.
Here's your social dance item list necessary to navigate through the many popular, and obscure, song references from the book.
Ready Player One Dance Party
Okay, okay, so in the book, Wade Watts wasn't the best dancer. But in the Virtual Reality world of the Oasis, Watts' avatar can download a piece of software to sync his body to the music. (It's called "Travoltra.")
Here in the real world, you'll still need actual, real world, dance lessons, but let's take a look at the playlist of songs, and the corresponding dances, to have a true to form Ready Player One Dance Party.
Author's Note: We want to tip our Ray Bans to GeekDad.com for assembling this Ready Player One track-list.
1. Dead Man's Party - Oingo Boingo - Listen on Spotify
This Oingo Boingo hit takes the opening spot in this playlist. After all, it's the opening music in Anorak's Almanac which would serve as the cornerstone of the hunt.
The Dance - Jitterbug
If you're hunting for a dance to get the 80's party started, the Jitterbug is a version of the swing that will have your party feeling far from dead.
2. The Wild Boys - Duran Duran - Listen on Spotify
Duran Duran was one of the signature bands of the 80's, so it's no wonder that they play a prominent role in the book.
The Dance - Cha-Cha or West Coast Swing
Cha-Cha would be the first choice here. The rhythm hits hard, which suits the Cha-Cha - sometimes called the Latin Swing - but a smooth West Coast Swing could be the flavor you go with. Either way, it's Duran Duran.
3. Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil - Listen on Spotify
The Australian 80's band Midnight Oil gets a well-deserved nod in the RPO novel, and even though they didn't do much beyond their "Beds are Burning" single, that shouldn't stop you from dancing to their hit.
The Dance - East Coast Swing or Country Western Shuffle
Two triple steps, one rock step, with an optional black trench coat and combat boots. If you're feeling adventurous, try a Country Western Shuffle.
4. The Throne Room/Star Wars - John Williams - Listen on Spotify
There probably wouldn't have been an RP1 novel without inspiration from Star Wars. The Throne Room is the moment every kid will remember as a symbol of good triumphing over evil... and Chewbacca getting the shaft on the gold medal.
The Dance - Tango
Tango fits this gem of orchestration as well as Han fits with Chewbacca. Side note, Tango is a great dance for relieving stress. So Chewbacca, if you're reading this... you have a non-violent alternative to your frustration.
5. Like to Get to Know You Well - Howard Jones - Listen on Spotify
Of the 80's playlists out there, this Howard Jones track could definitely be filed under "Deep Cuts". Especially considering more popular 80's songs like "Things Can Only Get Better" and "No One is to Blame" in his catalog, but that's what makes Ernest Cline's novel so perfect and personal.
The Dance - Salsa
Don't let the synthesizer fool you - this is a Salsa and, honestly, could be remixed to sound like a club hit today.
6. Conan The Barbarian Theme - The Lifestyle Players - Listen on Spotify
For the record, the 80's wasn't all about acid washed jeans, breakdancing, and the Second British Invasion. Sword and sorcery flicks played a big part in the 80's lexicon, and none was bigger, and more muscular than Conan the Barbarian.
The Dance - Paso Doble
Okay, so showing up to an 80's party dressed as Conan the Barbarian is a textbook high risk, high reward scenario. Maybe, until you've pumped enough iron, you can opt for a dramatic Paso Doble instead?
7. Ladyhawke Main Title - Andrew Powell - Listen on Spotify
Wade Watts, the lead character in RP1, has a special place in his heart for Ladyhawke, and the Matthew Broderick and Rutger Hauer period flick had plenty of references in the book, so, naturally, it's on the list.
The Dance - Hustle
In case you were wondering when you'd get a chance to do a medieval-themed hustle... here's your chance.
8. Video Fever - The Beepers - Listen on YouTube
This hard to find arcade-themed classic earned its spot in the movie War Games, another Matthew Broderick classic.
The Dance - Tango
While it may feel a little better to just dance solo, bite your lower lip, and rock out to your heart's content, but when you're done doing that, or playing Galaga, grab a partner for a Tango.
9. Blue Monday 88 - New Order - Listen on Spotify
Blue Monday was, and is a nightclub anthem. Which is in large part, the setting for the song playing in the RP1 book, movie, and wherever you decide to cut a rug to it.
The Dance - MERENGUE
This song by New Order can fit into any club environment, so why not pick a dance that can do the same thing? Merengue is your fun, easily adaptable, dance for any type of club or party.
10. Union Of the Snake - Duran Duran - Listen on Spotify
Duran Duran could have several more spots in this playlist... just sayin.
The Dance - Cha Cha
The beat has a great kick to it and, making things even more clear than jelly slippers, it's not too fast. This will ensure that your Cha Cha has even more style.
11. Rebel Yell - Billy Idol - Listen on Spotify
Billy Idol. Enough said.
The Dance - East Coast Swing
If you needed a song to bring out a little attitude in your swing, look no further.
12. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper - Listen on Spotify
This Cyndi Lauper gem is an undeniable classic, in the 80's, or any decade since.
The Dance - Rumba
There's plenty of upbeat moments in the 80's music discography, but for a tender moment like this, go with the ultimate slow dance: The Rumba... time after time.
14. James Brown is Dead - LA Style - Listen on Spotify
File this one under the category of "obscure and hard to find", but that doesn't make it any less important to our RP1 dance party.
The Dance - Hustle/Merengue
This groove fits either dance. Maybe Hustle grades out a little too 70's for you, and if that's the case - Merengue is your capable, and versatile, substitute.
15. Atomic - Blondie - Listen on Spotify
Just when you think this party couldn't get any better, leave it to Blondie to take it to level 11.
The Dance - Hustle/Merengue
Treat this the same way you'd treat #14. Hustle if you're feeling it, Merengue if you're not.
16. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham! - Listen on Spotify
This happy-go-lucky 80's classic may not have been Wade Watts' favorite, but what would an 80's party be like without it?
The Dance - Jitterbug
The song actually opens with the phrase "The jitterbug..." and it's a spot on dance recommendation.
17. A Million Miles Away - The Plimsouls - Listen on Spotify
Not to be confused with the song "I Ran" by A Flock of Seagulls, this Plimsouls track has a great classic rock feel.
The Dance - Swing
Swing is a bit of a Choose Your Own Adventure. If you're feeling up to it, try this as a triple step Swing (commonly referred to as East Coast Swing), or if you're winding down, opt for a single step swing (commonly referred to as Jitterbug).
18. Change - John Waite - Listen on Spotify
From the Vision Quest soundtrack featuring a young Matthew Modine as a high school wrestler interested in something more. You know, like Linda Fiorentino.
The Dance - Swing
While the rhythm and message of this song may inspire you to do your own coming of age training montage, treat this like a Choose Your Own Adventure Swing: Triple if you're feeling spry, Single-step if you're taking it easy.
19. In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
It may not be conducive to social dancing, but feel free to hold a boombox over your head if the mood strikes you at any point in this Peter Gabriel, Say Anything, classic.
The Dance - Bolero or Samba
Let's cover the options. Bolero - if you're getting romantic. Samba - if you're keeping things friendly.
20. Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard - Listen on Spotify
Every great party needs an anthem or two, and the sticky sweet Pour Some Sugar On Me hit by Def Leppard definitely qualifies.
The Dance - West Coast Swing
This song is built, better yet, engineered for West Coast Swing. The tempo, the lyrics, the attitude - all a perfect symbiotic pairing with the sexy, sticky-sweet, West Coast Swing.
21. Kids Wanna Rock - Bryan Adams - Listen on Spotify
Bryan Adams reminds us that he can rock out and not just sing beautiful ballads like "Everything I Do".
The Dance - Lindy Hop
Hey, if Bryan Adams is going to switch things up, why can't you? Lindy gives your fast tempo swing some new legs, literally. With kicks instead of side steps, you'll have the skills to give your fast swing a new, pun intended, identity?
22. Pac-Man Fever - Buckner & Garcia - Listen on Spotify
You know what this playlist needs? A corny arcade themed song that will, hopefully, stop people in their tracks to listen to the lyrics, of an actual album that came out, that people bought, and listened to.
The Dance - Swing
Honestly, you should stop dancing, listen to the lyrics, and then play the oldest arcade game nearest to you. If that feels like a little too much work, go with the Swing.
23. 2112: III. Discovery - Rush - Listen on Spotify
Let's make one thing clear: This is a 20 minute song.
Dance routines cap out at 90 seconds. Professionals will occasionally compete for 120, but even your high school sweetheart wouldn't dance for 20 solid minutes with you even if you did just knock out the school bully, save her from some insufferable embarrassment, or realize that your friend that's always been there is, in fact, your true love.
The Dance - "Space Tango"
So, taking this Rush opus in stages, we are going to create a new genre: Space Tango. After all, this classic is a narrative about a space traveler, with space traveling inspired sounds, so once the dramatic opener concludes (at :46), feel free to space Tango your face off... but just not for 20 minutes.
24. Three is a Magic Number - Bob Dorough - Listen on Spotify
This Schoolhouse Rock classic makes its way into an important part in the RP1 storyline, and why not? It's an after-school classic.
The Dance - Rumba/Quickstep
This song can be danced as a slow and nostalgic Rumba, or a peppy, more advanced, Quickstep.
25. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap - AC/DC - Listen on Spotify
Leave it to AC/DC to send a shot off the port bow of the dance floor to finish this dance party in guitar shredding fashion.
The Dance - Swing
If you haven't gathered it by now, Swing is a pretty important dance for this playlist.
Final Thought
While there will be plenty more music to add once the movie is released (tomorrow 3/29 at the time of this publication), this collection should give you a great place to start.
And hey, if you successfully turn your interest in 80's pop culture, accentuated by a fantastic book and movie, and that eventually leads you to taking dance lessons... that sounds like a movie-worthy story in itself.
So maybe we don't have software to instantly make you a better dancer, but we do have articles that can beam directly to your inbox that can, without a doubt, help your hobby.
