The Charleston – Music of the 1920s
The Charleston is the quintessential song from the 1920s.
It was written in 1923, with the music by James P. Johnson and the lyrics by Cecil Mack.
James P. Johnson also wrote the 1920’s classic, “If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight”.
Cecil Mack is also remembered as the lyricist for another collaboration with James P. Johnson, “Old Fashioned Love”. This song was also written in 1923.
The name, “The Charleston”comes from the coastal city of the same name in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America.
“The Charleston” is also a dance. From what I have read, it seems that the dance actually existed before the song.
Below is a clip of “The Charleston” being performed by All That Jazz Band at Athol Hal in Sydney, Australia.
Below is a very cute video of a couple of dancers explaining how to dance the steps to the Charleston
Here’s another dance tutorial, this time in 1920’s black and while with a more legitimate style dance teacher.