Gen X Parents Show Off Their '80s Dance Moves on TikTok

When Gen Z kids asked their parents to show them how people danced in the 1980s, they didn't expect millions of viewers to watch. But that's exactly what happened when the wholesome TikTok challenge took off, transporting Gen X parents back to their youth with just one song.

The trend features Bronski Beat's 1984 track "Smalltown Boy" playing while parents break out moves that have been sitting dormant for decades. Their muscle memory kicked in instantly, and the results captured hearts across social media.

Tabatha Lynn's video of her mom Leanne dancing racked up over 12 million views, becoming one of the first viral hits. The dance became a "topic of conversation in the family text group," the pair told TODAY.

MaryMarySomewhatContrary's mom Suzanne followed suit, earning 5 million views and floods of comments. "I can literally see the young women in these women spring out in fluidity," one viewer wrote.

Dads joined in too, proving the appeal spans both parents. Video after video showed the same pattern: a simple request, a familiar song, and suddenly parents transformed back into their teenage selves.

Why This Inspires

The trend resonates for two beautiful reasons. First, 1980s dancing was refreshingly simple—just moving to the rhythm with maybe a head bob or robot thrown in for flair. No complicated choreography required, just pure joy and the beat.

Second, watching parents light up at the chance to revisit their youth creates an inexplicably heartwarming moment. These brief videos capture something precious: a glimpse of who these parents were before mortgages, carpools, and endless responsibility.

The 1980s brought rapid musical expansion thanks to MTV, music videos, and the synthesizer's distinctive sound. While the era also delivered questionable fashion choices like acid-washed denim and regrettable hairstyles, its musical gems remain timeless.

The challenge proves that even though weekly trips to dance halls might be history, people still inherently want to move. The joy on these parents' faces shows that the music and memories from formative years never truly fade—they just wait for the right moment to resurface.

Now Gen Z kids are joking nervously about what their own children might ask them to demonstrate in 30 years. The Cha Cha Slide, anyone?