The Freddy
Encyclopedia
The Freddie was a short-lived 1960s dance craze
prompted by the release of the songs "I'm Telling You Now," and "Do the Freddie," both by the British band, Freddie and the Dreamers
. "Do the Freddie" had been a #18 hit in the United States in 1965, and American dance craze stalwart Chubby Checker
had then made it to #40 with the minor hit "Let's Do the Freddie" in that same year.
To do The Freddie, simply stand in place; then, in rhythm with the music first extend the left leg and left arm; then the right leg and right arm. Repeat until the song's conclusion.
The dance never achieved great popularity, though a re-interest occurred in the 1980s when the song (and dance) were incorporated into a gag in the movie Troop Beverly Hills
.
The Dreamers' hit should not be confused with a copycat song, "Let's Do the Freddie," sung by Chubby Checker
and released as a single in 1965 apparently to cash in on the would-be dance fad.
In 1987 another song called "Do the Freddy" was released, off the gimmick album Freddy's Greatest Hits. Complete with guest vocals by Robert Englund
as slasher movie icon Freddy Krueger
, the song also contained instructions on how to dance "The Freddy".
The Freddie is also mentioned in "The Frug
", a song by the band Rilo Kiley
(A reference made because the band's guitarist Jenny Lewis
had starred in Troop Beverly Hills
as a child). It appeared on both their debut album, The Initial Friend E.P.
, and on the soundtrack to the movie Desert Blue
.
The Adolescents
also released a song in the 1980s entitled "Do the Freddy".
Dance Craze
Dance Craze is a 1981 British documentary film about the English 2 Tone music genre.The film was directed by Joe Massot, who originally wanted to do a film only about the band Madness, who he met during their first US tour. Massot later changed his plans to include the whole 2 Tone movement...
prompted by the release of the songs "I'm Telling You Now," and "Do the Freddie," both by the British band, Freddie and the Dreamers
Freddie and the Dreamers
Freddie and the Dreamers were an English band who had a number of hit records between May 1963 and November 1965. Their stage act was based around the comic antics of the 5-foot-3-inch-tall Freddie Garrity, who would bounce around the stage with arms and legs flying. The group remained active...
. "Do the Freddie" had been a #18 hit in the United States in 1965, and American dance craze stalwart Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker is an American singer-songwriter. He is widely known for popularizing the twist dance style, with his 1960 hit cover of Hank Ballard's R&B hit "The Twist"...
had then made it to #40 with the minor hit "Let's Do the Freddie" in that same year.
To do The Freddie, simply stand in place; then, in rhythm with the music first extend the left leg and left arm; then the right leg and right arm. Repeat until the song's conclusion.
The dance never achieved great popularity, though a re-interest occurred in the 1980s when the song (and dance) were incorporated into a gag in the movie Troop Beverly Hills
Troop Beverly Hills
Troop Beverly Hills is a 1989 American comedy film. Produced by Weintraub Entertainment Group and directed by Jeff Kanew, it starred Shelley Long, Craig T...
.
The Dreamers' hit should not be confused with a copycat song, "Let's Do the Freddie," sung by Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker is an American singer-songwriter. He is widely known for popularizing the twist dance style, with his 1960 hit cover of Hank Ballard's R&B hit "The Twist"...
and released as a single in 1965 apparently to cash in on the would-be dance fad.
In 1987 another song called "Do the Freddy" was released, off the gimmick album Freddy's Greatest Hits. Complete with guest vocals by Robert Englund
Robert Englund
Robert Barton Englund is an American actor, voice-actor and director, best known for playing the fictional serial killer Freddy Krueger, in the Nightmare on Elm Street film series. He received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors in...
as slasher movie icon Freddy Krueger
Freddy Krueger
Frederick Charles "Freddy" Krueger is a fictional, horrifying character from the Nightmare on Elm Street series of horror films. He first appears in Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street as a disfigured dream stalker who uses a glove armed with razors to kill his victims in their dreams,...
, the song also contained instructions on how to dance "The Freddy".
The Freddie is also mentioned in "The Frug
The Frug
The Frug was a dance craze from the 1960s that evolved from another dance of the era, the Chicken. The Chicken, which featured lateral body movements, was used primarily as a change of pace step while doing the Twist. As young dancers grew more tired they would do less work, moving only their hips...
", a song by the band Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles. Formed in 1998, the band consisted of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel....
(A reference made because the band's guitarist Jenny Lewis
Jenny Lewis
Jennifer Diane Lewis , is an American singer-songwriter musician and actress. She was the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and has released two solo albums. She currently performs as part of the duo Jenny & Johnny with boyfriend Johnathan Rice...
had starred in Troop Beverly Hills
Troop Beverly Hills
Troop Beverly Hills is a 1989 American comedy film. Produced by Weintraub Entertainment Group and directed by Jeff Kanew, it starred Shelley Long, Craig T...
as a child). It appeared on both their debut album, The Initial Friend E.P.
The Initial Friend E.P.
The Initial Friend E.P. was the first release put out by Los Angeles based rock band Rilo Kiley. It was initially a self titled release that was put out by the band independently in 1999. They re-pressed it with altered artwork and track-listing in 2000, and then did the same thing again for a...
, and on the soundtrack to the movie Desert Blue
Desert Blue
Desert Blue is a 1998 American comedy/drama film directed by Morgan J. Freeman and starring Brendan Sexton III, Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, Casey Affleck, Sara Gilbert, and John Heard....
.
The Adolescents
The Adolescents
The Adolescents are an American punk band formed in 1980 in Fullerton, California. It is a punk supergroup, made up of early members of Agent Orange and Social Distortion. They are often credited as one of the leading bands of the 1980s hardcore punk scene....
also released a song in the 1980s entitled "Do the Freddy".
External links
- Learn to Do The Freddie at Confessions of a Pop Culture Addict