The Locomotion is a dance that goes with the 1962 hit song “The Loco-Motion,” originally recorded by Little Eva. The good news: it’s one of the easiest dances to learn, built on simple repeating steps that anyone can pick up in minutes. The song itself gives you most of the instructions, but here’s the full breakdown.
The Basic Steps
The Locomotion mimics the motion of a train, with dancers forming a line (like train cars) and moving together. You can also do it solo. The core movement has three parts that repeat throughout the song.
Start by stepping to the right with your right foot, then bringing your left foot to meet it. Repeat this side-step once more to the right. Then reverse: step left with your left foot, bring your right foot to meet it, and repeat. Keep your arms bent at the elbows with loose fists, pumping them in small circles at your sides, like train wheels turning. Your hips should sway naturally with each step.
That side-to-side shuffle is the foundation. Once you’re comfortable, add a small kick forward with one foot every few beats, alternating legs. Keep the kicks low and relaxed.
The Chug
The signature move is the “chug,” which Little Eva describes in the lyrics as making a chain. When you’re in a group line, place your hands on the hips or shoulders of the person in front of you. Then everyone moves forward together with small, rhythmic steps, knees slightly bent, bouncing on each beat. Think of a train chugging along the tracks. Lean slightly forward and keep the motion bouncy rather than smooth.
If you’re dancing solo, you can do the chug moving forward on your own, pumping your arms at your sides in that circular train-wheel motion. Some people add a light hop to each step to emphasize the bounce.
Turns and Variations
The song’s lyrics call for turning, and you can do this a few ways. The simplest is a quarter-turn: after your side-to-side steps, pivot 90 degrees and repeat the pattern facing a new direction. In a line, the leader turns and the rest of the chain follows.
You can also swing your hips in a small circle while stepping in place, which gives you a looser, more playful version of the turn. There’s no strict choreography here. The Locomotion was designed as a party dance, so personal flair is part of the point. As long as you’re stepping to the beat and keeping that bouncy, train-like energy, you’re doing it right.
Timing and Rhythm
The song has a steady, upbeat tempo in 4/4 time. Each side-step pair (step-together, step-together) takes about two beats. The pattern flows naturally: two shuffles right on four beats, two shuffles left on four beats, then a kick or a chug section. Listen for the “come on, come on” parts of the song as your cue to really exaggerate the arm pumping and forward chugging.
If you’re new to dancing to a beat, try clapping along with the song a few times before adding your feet. The rhythm is forgiving because the steps are simple and repetitive.
Why It Became So Popular
Little Eva hit the top of the charts on August 25, 1962, and the song has been covered multiple times since, most notably by Grand Funk Railroad in 1974 and Kylie Minogue in 1987. Each version brought the dance back into the spotlight. Part of its staying power is accessibility: unlike dances that require specific training, the Locomotion works for any age or skill level. The group line format makes it a natural fit for weddings, parties, and school events where you need to get a room full of people moving without much instruction.
Getting the Most Out of It
Dancing to the Locomotion is genuine physical activity, even if it feels like pure fun. The stepping, bouncing, and hip movement engage your glutes, calves, and the muscles along the front of your thighs. The balance demands are low compared to more complex dances, making it a good entry point if you’re looking to add movement to your routine. Current CDC guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week for adults, and dancing at a pace that gets your heart rate up counts toward that goal.
If you’re practicing at home, play the original Little Eva version first since the tempo is comfortable for learning. Once you have the steps down, try the Grand Funk Railroad version, which has a heavier rock feel, or the Kylie Minogue version for a faster pop tempo. Each one changes the energy slightly but uses the same basic moves.