What is west coast swing?
West Coast Swing is a smooth, slotted partner dance with elastic connection, anchor steps and plenty of room for musical interpretation. Unlike other swing dances it is danced to contemporary music — R&B, pop, blues, country and hip-hop — so it is a favorite of dancers who love modern songs.
History
West Coast Swing evolved from Lindy Hop in California in the 1940s and 1950s, shaped by film and nightclub dancers such as Dean Collins. In 1988 it was designated the official state dance of California. The World Swing Dance Council organizes a large competitive circuit in the US.
Basic technique
- Starter step, sugar push, left and right side passes
- Whip and tuck turn
- Anchor step at the end of the slot
- Stretch, compression and musical styling
Music & tempo
Mostly 80–130 BPM; contemporary pop, R&B and blues are staples.
Songs for west coast swing
| Song | Artist | BPM | Key | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eternity | Big & Rich | 80 | E major | 2007 |
| Good Neighbor | Charlie Robison | 80 | D major | 1996 |
| Drowning | Mila J | 80 | F minor | 2012 |
| Heart Talk | Dick Curless | 80 | E major | 2000 |
| Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey) | The Weeknd | 80 | G minor | 2015 |
| Untitled Instrumental | Buddy Guy | 80 | F minor | 1991 |
| Man muss ohne zu klagen, das Leben ertragen | Gunter Gabriel | 80 | G major | 1978 |
| Involved | Omarion | 80 | F major | 2020 |
| Come On and See About Me | John Lee Hooker | 80 | A# minor | 1991 |
| I Can't Do That | Fred James & Mary-Ann Brandon | 81 | E major | 2010 |
BPM as measured by audio analysis; some tracks read at half or double the danced tempo.
All 3,170 west coast swing songs by BPM →
What to wear
Smooth-soled sneakers or dance shoes that slide.
How to get started
Look for a WCS club; many run monthly dances with a beginner lesson.
We list 8 studios that teach west coast swing, or browse all dance studios by state.
Key partner-dance terms
Recent research
- Joint action aesthetics. — PloS one, 2017
- Special Issue: Autoimmune Diseases: A Swing Dance of Immune Cells. — International journal of molecular sciences, 2025
- Can Samba and Forró Brazilian rhythmic dance be more effective than walking in improving functional mobility and spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with Parkinson's disease? — BMC neurology, 2020
- The Energy Expenditure of Recreational Ballroom Dance. — International journal of exercise science, 2014
- A kinetic analysis of the triple step in recreational swing dancers. — Sports biomechanics, 2024
More west coast swing research →
Books about west coast swing
- Waltzing in the dark by Brenda Dixon Gottschild (1999)
- The swing book by Pener Dagen, Degen Pener, Scotty Morris (1999)
- Swing Dancing by Simon Selmon (2002)
- Song of Home by Susie Finkbeiner (2017)
- Getanzte Freiheit by Alenka Barber-Kersovan, Gordon Uhlmann (2002)
- Swing dancing by Wendy Garofoli (2008)
Encyclopedia summary
West Coast Swing is a partner dance with roots in Lindy Hop, characterized by an elastic look that results from its extension-compression technique of partner connection. It is danced primarily in a slotted area on the dance floor. The dance allows for both partners to improvise steps while dancing together, putting West Coast Swing in a short list of dances that emphasize improvisation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the state dance of California?
West Coast Swing has been California's official state dance since 1988.
What BPM is West Coast Swing?
West Coast Swing is usually danced to music between 80 and 130 beats per minute. Browse 3,170 songs that fit on our West Coast Swing music page.
How many calories does west coast swing burn?
About 441 calories per hour for a 155-lb (70 kg) person, based on a MET value of 6 from the Compendium of Physical Activities. See calories burned west coast swing for every body weight.
Related styles
Lindy Hop
Harlem, New York — the Savoy Ballroom
Swing & Vintage Jazz DanceEast Coast Swing
United States (simplified from Lindy Hop by dance studios)
Swing & Vintage Jazz DanceHustle
New York City discos
Latin Social DanceBrazilian Zouk
Brazil (evolved from lambada)
Swing & Vintage Jazz DanceCharleston
African American communities of the South; named after Charleston, South Carolina
Swing & Vintage Jazz DanceBalboa
Southern California (Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach)
Swing & Vintage Jazz DanceCarolina Shag
Myrtle Beach and the Carolina coast
Last reviewed October 2026 · Editorial policy