TikTokers Are Asking Their Parents To Show How They Danced to Music in the 1980s

@yungkimlet she absolutely ate this up, what i wouldnt give for a time machine #fyp #dancing #80s #dancechallenge ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

TikTok has really made a name for itself with its Gen Z users performing short choreographed routines, often dubbed a “dance challenge.” The latest dance trend on the social media platform is actually getting Gen X involved. Young TikTokers are turning the camera on their parents and asking them to show off their moves from the 1980s. TikToker YungKimlet got her mom to recreate her best 80s moves to the synth-pop track “Smalltown Boy,” and she did not disappoint.

Kimlet's mom Fiona proved she was an experienced club-goer in the 80s, making sure to find the beat before starting to groove to the now-viral song by the British band Bronski Beat. TikTokers were stunned by how seamlessly Fiona fell back into her swaying fluid moves from an era that Gen Zers and Millennials alike seem to be especially nostalgic for these days. One commenter wrote, “So many of these dances don’t hit the mark but this was truly one from the 80s.” Another explained, “Coolest thing about this trend: I start out not seeing the Gen X or 80’s [sic] in the person and then it gets immediately identified as soon as they start moving.” Echoing a sentiment that cropped up multiple times one viewer wrote, “I swear I can see the youth come back in all these videos. Too cool!!!” The comment section also had many asking how to dance like Fiona. After one questioned what the name of the dance was, Kimlet passed along her mom's answer of “she just ‘felt the rhythm and hit the Fiona.'”

In case you had any doubt about Fiona's 80s cred, Kimlet shared a video with vintage pictures of her mom. Fiona wouldn't have been out of place in a Duran Duran video and was one totally bodacious babe. And she's not the only one. Dozens of other TikTokers have volunteered their parents to take on this dance challenge. For most of the moms and dads, there is minimal hesitation and the music seems to awaken their old selves. It's like muscle memory as these fully grown adults start to move like teenagers, hitting every dance move like an energetic, carefree adolescent in the 80s.

Scroll down to see some of the absolute best 80s dancing. For even more, you can check out the hashtags #80sdancechallenge and #80sdancemoves on TikTok.

TikTokers are loving watching their parents relive their youth after getting them to dance like they did in the 1980s.

@mamigeniusshe dont playyyyyy♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

@bucc40 #80s #momdancechallenge ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

@dadsgotmoves “I forgot how we danced then” #dadsgotmoves #dancingdad #80saesthetic #dancechallenge #dancingmom #trending #coolparents @MomsGotBooze ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

@savannahhkaddouri 80s boogie man #fyp #80sdancechallenge #80s #80sdance #dad #dancing #fypシ゚viral #fypage #foru #foryoupage #dance #80schallenge #80smusic @bederkaddouri ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

@gabbygooly Realizing I dance just like my mom… #80sdancechallenge #80smusic #80sdance ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

More videos of moms and dads partying like it's 1989 can be found on TikTok #80sdancechallenge.

@mariadiaz67234 Groovin #80sdancechallenge #80s #foryou #fyp #80saesthetic ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

@dianaabrilr Mi pa bailando música de los 80s. Lo amo @tocayito #papa #80smusic #80sdancechallenge #dance #trend #fyp #dad #Viral #boogie #fypシ゚ #dadchallenge @Andrea Abril @Abby ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

@willvale2323 If my mom knows I posted this shes gonna be pissed #4youpage #80smusic #80dancechallenge ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

@chrisbrown711 I dont normally do trends but i got in on this one. How did I do? #fyp #blessed #80sdancechallenge #80smusic #80s ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

Even actor and fellow parent Jason Lee (a father of five) got in on the dance trend.

@thisoddbird How i LIVE to see him dance. #jasonlee #80sdancechallenge #fypage ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

Most videos feature the song “Smalltown Boy” but there was more to 80s culture than synth-pop.

@1malaysiaa #80sdancechallenge #80smusic #dad ♬ Jam On It – Newcleus

@dreamsofjas Its the switch up at the end for me. #fyp #genx #80s #rocksteady #80sdancechallenge ♬ Rock Steady – Radio Edit – The Whispers

@carynn_gee I get my moves from my mama! #hotmom #80smusic #mymomslays #gomom #ilovemymom ♬ When I Hear Music – Debbie Deb

One TikToker decided to put a bunch of them in a dance club together.

@logancraft96 VERSION 3.0 POSTED NOW! Version 2.0 was needed… tried to add some of your requests see if you can spot them all #80s #80smusic #80saesthetic #dance #vibes ♬ Smalltown Boy – Bronski Beat

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Elizabeth Beiser

Elizabeth Beiser is a Contributing Writer and Project Coordinator at My Modern Met. She has a background in American Cultural History with a special focus on Modern art and democratic community building. She received her B.A. in history, with a minor in Studio Arts, and her M.A. in history from the University of Rochester. She has worked on multiple political campaigns, as well as in non-profit operations and direct service. When she’s not writing, she’s experimenting with all varieties of arts and crafts. She also enjoys spending time with four-legged friends and exploring her hometown of Boston.
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