Land of a Thousand Dances
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"Land of a Thousand Dances" is a soul song originally recorded by Chris Kenner in 1962, though its most popular and recognizable version was recorded by soul singer Wilson Pickett in 1966. Famous for its "na na na na na" hook, which was added by Cannibal & the Headhunters in 1965, it has been covered by various other bands and artists including the Thee Midniters (1965), J. Geils Band (1983), Guy, Sam & Dave, Rezillos, The Action, The Residents, Patti Smith, and Bill Haley & His Comets who scored a 1966 hit with the song in Latin America. Vinnie Jones also covered the song on his 2002 album Respect, which covered many classic blues and soul songs.
Despite the title, in the original recording by Chris Kenner only sixteen dances are specifically mentioned: the Pony, the Chicken, the Mashed Potato, the Alligator, the Watusi, the Twist, the Fly, the Jerk, the Tango, the Yo-Yo, the Sweet Pea, the Hand jive, the Slop, the Bop, the Fish and The Popeye.
[edit] In the media
- Wilson Pickett's version was played in the 1988 movie The Great Outdoors as well as a memorable audition sequence in The Full Monty.
- Guy's version appears in the 1992 movie FernGully: The Last Rainforest and its soundtrack.
- Chris Kenner's version was played in the 2003 movie Radio.
- The continuing "na" sequence was incorporated into the hip hop song "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Ini Kamoze.
- Little Richard's version includes "Do the Philly Dog, like a smoky hog."
- Yet another version was performed by various WWF Wrestlers on The Wrestling Album.
