Carolina Shag

Carolina Shag is inseparable from beach music — the R&B and soul music that became the soundtrack of the Carolina beach communities in the 1950s and 1960s. The term beach music refers not to a specific musical style but to a specific social context: the music that was played in the beach clubs and pavilions of the Carolina coast, where young people gathered to dance during the summer months. The music was primarily R&B and soul — artists like The Drifters, The Tams, and Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs — with a smooth, mid-tempo groove that was perfect for the Shag's footwork-oriented style.

The dance developed in the beach communities of the Grand Strand — the stretch of South Carolina coastline centered on Myrtle Beach — and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The specific conditions of these communities shaped the dance: the wooden floors of the beach pavilions rewarded smooth, gliding footwork; the close, intimate atmosphere of the beach clubs encouraged a connected, partner-focused style.

Carolina Shag was designated the official state dance of South Carolina in 1984 and North Carolina in 2005, recognizing its status as a genuine folk tradition with deep roots in the culture of both states.

The canonical beach music for Carolina Shag includes The Drifters' 'Under the Boardwalk,' The Tams' 'Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,' Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs' 'Stay,' and The Embers' 'I Love Beach Music.' These recordings share a characteristic smooth, mid-tempo groove — typically 108 to 132 BPM — with a strong, clear beat and a melodic, soulful quality that rewards the Shag's footwork-oriented style.

Contemporary Shag dancers also dance to contemporary beach music — new recordings in the beach music tradition by artists like The Catalinas, Band of Oz, and The Fantastic Shakers — and to a wide range of R&B, soul, and even pop music that has the right tempo and groove.

For teachers and studio owners, building a Shag playlist requires attention to both tempo and feel. Songs that are too fast lose the smooth, gliding quality that defines the dance; songs that are too slow lose the energy that makes the footwork patterns feel natural and motivated. The 115-125 BPM range is the sweet spot for most social Shag dancing.

Carolina Shag's most distinctive feature is its footwork — a complex vocabulary of kicks, shuffles, and weight transfers that creates visual interest and musical expression without requiring the large, aerial movements of other swing dances. The basic pattern is a 6-count sequence danced in a slot, but the variations on this basic pattern give the dance a technical depth that takes years to master.

The smooth, gliding quality of Shag footwork is achieved through a specific approach to weight transfer: the weight moves smoothly from foot to foot without the bouncing, up-and-down quality of most swing dances. This smooth quality reflects the beach music aesthetic — the dance should feel as relaxed and effortless as a day at the beach, even when the footwork is technically demanding.

Styling in Carolina Shag is relatively understated compared to other swing dances — the emphasis is on the footwork and the connection rather than on showy arm movements or dramatic poses. This understated quality is part of the dance's appeal: it is a dance that rewards close observation.

A Carolina Shag practice playlist should be anchored by the classic beach music recordings that define the genre's musical identity — the Tams, the Chairmen of the Board, the Embers, and the Catalinas. These recordings have a quality of relaxed, swinging groove that is immediately compelling, and they provide the richest musical context for learning the Carolina Shag's distinctive footwork and styling. The best beach music has a laid-back quality that invites the smooth, flowing movement that distinguishes Carolina Shag from other swing styles.

As your Carolina Shag vocabulary develops, expand your playlist to include the broader beach music canon — the Drifters, the Platters, and the classic R&B recordings that influenced the beach music sound. These recordings share the beach music aesthetic of smooth, swinging groove and emotional warmth, and they provide an excellent bridge between the traditional beach music repertoire and the broader world of swing and R&B. The best Carolina Shag dancers are those who can find the shag quality in any piece of music that has the right groove and tempo.

For social dancing at beach music events and shag festivals, the playlist is typically curated by the event organisers and reflects the community's musical preferences. If you are new to the Carolina Shag community, it is worth familiarising yourself with the classic beach music repertoire before attending your first event — knowing the music is an important part of being a good social dance partner, and it will help you connect with the community's shared musical identity.