How to Do the Cotton Eyed Joe Dance: Easy Line Dance Steps

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Learn 2 versions of the Cotton Eyed Joe country dance
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The Cotton Eyed Joe is a country dance made popular by the release of Rednex's version of the classic folk song in 1994. The dance is similar to line dancing, with relatively easy steps that are repeated over and over again. By breaking down the dance into step-by-step moves and practicing slowly at first, you'll be able to join in the fun the next time you hear Cotton Eyed Joe! We’ll show you 2 common versions of the dance, then give you plenty of tips for practicing and mastering it.

Cotton-Eye Joe Dance Steps: Overview

  1. Tap your right heel to the floor twice (1, 2), then tap your right toe twice (3, 4).
  2. Tap your right heel to the side (5).
  3. Touch your right heel with your left hand in front of your body (6).
  4. Tap your right heel to the side (7).
  5. Touch your right heel behind your body (8).
  6. Grapevine to the right (1, 2, 3, 4).
  7. Take 4 steps to the left, spinning 360 degrees while miming a lasso (5, 6, 7, 8).
Section 1 of 3:

Cotton Eyed Joe Dance Steps: Classic Version

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  1. On the first 2 beats of the chorus, stick your right foot out and tap the ground with the bottom of the heel twice. [1] Each tap lines up with the beat of the song.
    • Rest your hands on your hips or hook your thumbs into your belt loops or pockets as you dance.
    • Lyrics: This part matches with the first line of the song: “If it hadn’t been…”
    • This version is a popular line dance you’ll see in bars, dancehalls, and at western events like weddings.
  2. On the next 2 beats of the chorus, put your right foot behind you and tap the ground with your toe twice. [2]
    • Lyrics: “...for Cotton-Eye Joe…”
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  3. Now we amp things up a bit! Tap your right foot beside your body (beat one), then lift that foot in front of your body, bringing it up to your left hand. Use your left hand to slap your heel. [3]
    • Lyrics: “I’d been married…”
  4. For the following 2 beats, repeat the last step, but this time bring your right foot behind your body as you touch it with your left hand. [4]
    • Altogether, these first four moves make up the first 8 beats of the dance.
    • Lyrics: “...long time ago.”
  5. For the next 4 beats, shuffle your body to the right by doing a grapevine move with your feet. Step your right foot to the side, step your left foot behind your right, step your right foot to the side again, and step your left foot together with your right. Clap your hands on the fourth beat of this move, when your two feet come together. [5]
    • Lyrics: “Where did you come from? Where did you go?”
  6. For the final 4 beats of the chorus, take 4 small side steps while turning your body 90 degrees with each step. In this move, you'll return to your original position on the dance floor while rotating your body a full 360 degrees. As you move your feet in a sideways shuffle on the beat—left, right, left, right—turn your body in a circle to the right as well. [6]
    • As you perform this move, raise your right hand in the air and twirl it in a circle, like you’re spinning a lasso.
    • These previous two steps make up the second 8 beats of the dance. One entire round of this dance is 16 beats long.
    • Lyrics: “Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe?”
  7. As the song continues, these same 16-count dance moves keep repeating, but they'll alternate sides every time. When you lead with your left foot, you'll perform your grapevine to the left as well.
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Section 2 of 3:

Cotton Eyed Joe Dance Steps: Variation

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  1. 1
    Stomp your right heel, then kick it forward. On the first 2 beats, tap the heel of your right foot to the floor, bring it back to resting position, then kick your right heel forward. [7]
    • Lyrics: This part matches with the first line of the song: “If it hadn’t been…”
    • This is a more classic but less popular variation you might see among old-timers. It’s easier, but a bit less flashy.
  2. 2
    Take 2 steps back, leading with your right foot. On the next 2 beats, take 2 small steps backward, starting with your right foot, then your left. Then, place your right foot next to your left. Count “back-2-3” as you move to help your timing. [8]
    • Lyrics: “...for Cotton-Eye Joe…”
  3. 3
    Repeat the stomp and back shuffle while leading with your left foot. For the next 4 beats, do the same moves as above, but do them with your left foot. Stomp your left heel on the ground, then kick it forward, then take 2 steps back, starting with your left foot.
    • Lyrics: “I’d been married a long time ago.”
  4. 4
    Repeat the stomp and back shuffle 2 more times. This first sequence of the dance happens 4 times: leading with your right foot, then the left, then the right, then the left. Each time, remember: Stomp, kick, back-2-3!
    • Lyrics: “Where did you come from? Where did you go? Where did you come from, Cotton-eye Joe?
    • Take small steps. You’re moving around here, but not traveling across the room.
  5. 5
    Shuffle step forward for 4 counts, leading with your right foot. To do a shuffle step, take a small step forward with your right foot, then bring your left foot just behind it, then take another small step with your right foot. It follows the rhythm of the words “shu-ffle step.” Do a shuffle step forward 4 times, the first with your right foot, then left, then right, left. [9]
    • Lyrics: This section lasts for a whole 4 lines of the chorus: “If it hadn’t been for Cotton-Eye Joe, I'd have been married a long time ago. Where did you come from, where did you go? Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe?”
  6. 6
    Repeat the dance. Now, start from the top, and keep dancing until the song is done! As you go, feel free to stay in place, or move around the dance floor.
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Section 3 of 3:

Mastering the Dance

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  1. In order to learn the moves, it's best to practice slowly, counting the beats out loud while going through the motions. Dance instructor Emilia Richeson-Valiente recommends starting in your bedroom, or in front of a mirror. By taking the time to learn slowly, you'll have an easier time remembering the moves later on.
  2. If you're new to the Cotton Eyed Joe dance and want to join in at a dance party, watch the first few rounds of the dance before joining. Dance instructor Katie Van Note says it’s a good idea to observe and follow, at first. The dance repeats for the entire length of the song, so you'll have plenty of time to join in after watching and getting the hang of the moves from the sidelines. [10]
  3. Spend some time listening to the Cotton Eyed Joe song and try to remember which counts of the dance line up with specific words in the chorus. If you get lost during a round of the dance, you'll be able to listen to the song to help you find your place.
    • The chorus of the song is 16 beats, and is the same length as one round of the Cotton Eyed Joe dance.
    • The final hook, “Where did you come from, where did you go? Where did you come from, Cotton Eyed Joe?” lines up with your final 8 counts of the dance.”
  4. The Cotton Eyed Joe is a long song, and it is most common to see people join in on the chorus. When you're new to the dance, try performing the moves during the chorus so that you'll have lots of other people to blend in with.
    • If you get lost or forget the moves along the way, wait for the top of the chorus ("If it hadn't been for the Cotton Eye Joe, I'd been married a long time ago...") to start the dance over again.
    • During the rest of the song, feel free to keep performing the Cotton Eyed Joe dance, or dance in any other way you please!
  5. Once you get the moves down, try adding tiny jumps on your left foot as you perform the first stationary toe-tap moves. Bounce on your right foot when you lead with your left foot. The bouncing will help make the moves look and feel more upbeat. [11]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Does dancing help relieve stress?
    Andrey Stanev
    Professional Dance Instructor
    Andrey Stanev is a Professional Dance Instructor specializing in ballroom, Latin and wedding dance. With over 25 years of instruction and dancing experience, Andrey is also the Owner of Ballroom Dance in NYC, a studio based in Manhattan, New York and in Hawthorne, New York. He was born and raised in Bulgaria and won the Bulgarian National Championship for Ballroom and Latin Dance in 2000-2001. He has also worked at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio where he received the Award for Outstanding Performance in the advanced department of teaching.
    Andrey Stanev
    Professional Dance Instructor
    Expert Answer
    There are so many benefits to dancing and releasing stress is certainly one of them. One of the biggest mood changers is music. If you are dancing to it, then definitely you can quickly shift your mood and have a better experience.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What level of dancing is this, is it an easy/beginner dance, or is it more difficult?
    Community Answer
    This is very simple! It is popular at school dances and parties, so you shouldn't have trouble learning it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    When I do the Cotton Eyed Joe dance, I seem to move slow compared to everyone else. My school is doing this for a play. How can I dance faster?
    Community Answer
    You might just have to practice it many times. Once you're sure you have it, start speeding up little by little until you reach the desired tempo.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.stepbystep.com/how-to-do-the-cotton-eyed-joe-dance-45845/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cCPwhvdNJM&feature=youtu.be&t=19s
      3. ↑ https://cldaa.org/StepSheet/Cotton_eyed_Joe_07_6.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.stepbystep.com/how-to-do-the-cotton-eyed-joe-dance-45845/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cCPwhvdNJM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m20s
      6. ↑ https://cldaa.org/StepSheet/Cotton_eyed_Joe_07_6.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyAhIedsWmY&t=34s
      8. ↑ https://www.dancinfeats.com/PDF/cottoneyedjoe.pdf
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyAhIedsWmY&t=49s
      1. ↑ https://www.dancecompreview.com/7-tips-learning-choreography-quickly/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cCPwhvdNJM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m2s

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To do the Cotton Eyed Joe dance, place your hands on your hips and tap your right heel forward twice on the first 2 beats of the music. For the next 2 beats, tap the ground behind you with your right toe twice. On count 5, tap your right foot to the side, then bring it in front of your body, touching your heel on count 6. On 7, tap your foot to the side again, then bring your right heel across and behind your body on 8, touching your heel again. Shuffle to the right for 4 beats, then take 4 steps to the left while spinning your body for the next 4. Swing your right arm overhead like you’re swinging a lasso for the last 4 counts of the dance. Keep reading for tips on mastering the dance, like adding a bounce for the first 8 counts!

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