Music in West Coast Swing
Playlists for Practice and Dancing
These playlists are curated by members of the Stuttgart West Coast Swing Community. Depending on your taste, you’re sure to find something you like.
| Name | Link |
|---|---|
| Stuggi Outdoor Dance by @aennabanaenas |  |
| West Coast Swing - Advanced |    |
| West Coast Swing - Beginner | |
| West Coast Swing - Electro | |
The Diverse World of Music in West Coast Swing: From Blues to Pop
West Coast Swing is not only known for its flowing movements and versatile figures, but also for its musical diversity. From traditional Blues to modern Pop, West Coast Swing offers a wide range of music genres that appeal to dancers of all tastes. In this article, we take a look at the different types and genres of music that have shaped West Coast Swing in the past and present.
1. The Swing Era
The roots of West Coast Swing go back to the Swing Era, an exciting time of jazz and big band music in the 1920s and 1930s. This era laid the foundation for West Coast Swing by producing lively melodies and pulsating rhythms. Dancers were swept away by the playful sounds of swing orchestras, and swing began to develop its characteristic energy. The Swing Era gave the dance an infectious joy and a dynamic atmosphere that can still be felt in dance halls today.
2. Blues: The Roots of West Coast Swing
As the various swing dance styles spread from the East Coast to the West Coast of the USA, they underwent a transformation, as Blues was mainly listened to here instead of jazz. With the changed rhythms, some of the swing basics were difficult to reconcile and so these were adapted. Blues is the original music to which West Coast Swing was danced. With its deep emotions and rhythmic variations, Blues provides a perfect backdrop for expressing feeling and style in dance. Classic Blues artists such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Etta James remain popular choices for West Coast Swing dancers who want to honour the traditional roots of the dance.
3. Rhythm & Blues (R&B): The Development of Swing
With the rise of Rhythm & Blues in the 1940s and 1950s, West Coast Swing began to evolve further and integrate new stylistic elements. R&B music, which combines elements of Blues, jazz, and gospel, brought an energetic dynamic to the dance and opened up new possibilities for improvisation and creativity on the dance floor.
4. Soul: The Golden Age of West Coast Swing
In the 1960s and 1970s, West Coast Swing experienced its golden age with the emergence of soul music. Artists such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye shaped this era with their captivating rhythms and powerful voices. Soul music brought a new intensity and passion to West Coast Swing and cemented its position as one of the most popular dance styles in the American dance scene.
5. Funk: The Fusion of Groove and Swing
The 1970s brought the era of funk, a genre known for its distinctive rhythms and funky basslines. Funk music led to a fusion of groove and swing in West Coast Swing and opened up new possibilities for rhythmic variations and musical interpretations on the dance floor.
6. Pop and Contemporary Hits: The Modernisation of West Coast Swing
Today, West Coast Swing has been modernised by the integration of pop music and contemporary hits. Artists such as Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, and Ed Sheeran are popular choices for West Coast Swing dancers who want to synchronise their choreography and figures with current hits. This development has made West Coast Swing a contemporary and dynamic dance style that continues to evolve and adapt to the trends of the music world. But WCS can also be danced to slower tracks from electronic and rock genres.
Conclusion: A Rich Musical Landscape for West Coast Swing
The music in West Coast Swing is as diverse as the dance itself. From the roots of Blues to contemporary hits, West Coast Swing offers a wide range of music genres that appeal to dancers of all tastes. Whether you choose traditional sounds or modern beats, West Coast Swing remains a dynamic and lively dance style, fascinating with its musical diversity and creative possibilities for expression.