Three YouTube Examples Of The 1960s Rhythm And Blues Record "Land of 1000 Dances" (with information and lyrics)

karluczi, Jan 24, 2013

Album: The Exciting Wilson Pickett

Release Date: 1966

Genre: R&B/Soul

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update- August 21, 2026

This pancocojams post showcases three YouTube examples of the 1960s R&B song "Land Of 1000 Dances".

Information about that song is included in this post along with the original Chris Kenner lyrics fort hat song and the lyrics for Cannibal And The Headhunter's version and the lyrics for Wilson Pickett's version.

August 21, 2026: This update consists of biographical information about Chris Kenner, the composer of this song. Also, I've included a comment that further explains some references  in Wilson Pickett's version of "Land Of 1000 Dances". (That record is pay far the most popular version of that song.)  

All content is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic  purposes  

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Chris Kenner for composing this song. Thanks also to Chris Kenner, Cannibal and the Headhunters and Wilson Pickett and the Muscle Shoals band for their musical legacies. Thanks to , and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT CHRIS KENNER

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Kenner
"Christophe Kenner (December 25, 1929 – January 25, 1976) was an American, New Orleans–based R&B singer and songwriter,[1] best known for two hit singles in the early 1960s, "I Like It Like That" and "Land of 1000 Dances", which became staples in the repertoires of many other musicians.

Biography

Born on Christmas Day, in the farming community of Kenner, Louisiana, upriver from New Orleans,[2] Kenner sang gospel music with his church choir. He moved to New Orleans when he was in his teens, to work as a stevedore.[3]

[…]

Moving to another New Orleans label, Instant (which initially was called 'Valiant' before they discovered the name was already in use),[2] he began to work with the pianist and arranger Allen Toussaint.[1] In 1961, this collaboration produced "I Like It Like That", his biggest and first pop hit,[1] peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart….

In 1963 he released his most enduring song, "Land of 1000 Dances",[1] based on an old spiritual. Kenner's version reached No. 77 on the pop chart in 1963”

[…]

He released an album, Land of 1000 Dances, on Atlantic Records in 1966;[6] it was reissued on CD by Collectors' Choice in 2007.…
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"Children, Go Where I Send Thee" is the name of the African American Spiritual that the R&B song that is most widely known by the title "Land Of 1000 Dances" is based on.  Read some information about this in the next section of this pancocojams post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "LAND OF 1000 DANCES"

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_of_a_Thousand_Dances
" "Land of a Thousand Dances" (or "Land of 1000 Dances") is a song written and first recorded by American rhythm and blues singer Chris Kenner in 1962. It later became a bigger hit in versions by Cannibal & the Headhunters and Wilson Pickett. A version by Thee Midniters reached #27 in Canada on March 22, 1965.[1]

The song references a number of dance styles/moves including the Twist, the Alligator, the Mashed Potato, the Watusi and the Pony.

Background

The original Chris Kenner recording, which peaked at No. 77 on the Billboard chart in 1963, mentions 16 dances: the Pony, the Chicken, the Mashed Potato, the Alligator, the Watusi, the Twist, the Fly, the Jerk, the Tango, the Yo-Yo, the Sweet Pea, the Hand Jive, the Slop, the Bop, the Fish, and the Popeye. Kenner's original recording included a brief, gospel-influenced, a capella introduction with the words: "Children, go where I send you / (Where will you send me?) / I'm gon' send you to that land / the land of a thousand dances." This 18 seconds was left off the single release to facilitate radio airplay, and the phrase "Land of 1000 Dances" never appeared in any subsequent recording.

Cannibal and the Headhunters version

The song is famous for its "na na na na na" hook, which Cannibal & the Headhunters added in their 1965 version, which reached number 30 on the Billboard chart.[2] The hook gave the song further notoriety. The "na na na na na" hook happened by accident when Frankie "Cannibal" Garcia, lead singer of Cannibal and the Headhunters, forgot the lyrics.[3] The melody to this section was also created spontaneously, as it is not in Chris Kenner's original track. The "na na na na na" hook was later borrowed in the 1994 song "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Jamaican artist Ini Kamoze.[4]

Wilson Pickett version

The song's best-known version was by Wilson Pickett, who recorded the song during his first set of sessions at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama,[5] backed by the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and the Memphis Horns. (He had previously recorded in Memphis.) His recording was released as a single and appeared on his album, The Exciting Wilson Pickett. The single became his third Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs No. 1 hit and his biggest ever pop hit, peaking at No. 6.[6] In 1988 a re-recorded version by Pickett was featured in a concert during the movie The Great Outdoors, while the original recording is featured at the end credits of the movie. In 1989, the earlier Pickett version was ranked number 152 on Dave Marsh's list of The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made.[7] "...

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UPDATE: AUGUST 21, 2026: INFORMATION FROM AI OVERVIEW
 ""Land Of 1000 Dances"

The R&B song "Land of 1000 Dances" is based on the traditional African American spiritual "Children Go Where I Send Thee" (sometimes known as "Children Go Where I Send You").

Song Origins and Evolution

Inspiration: Songwriter Chris Kenner adapted the structural call-and-response and cadence of the old spiritual when he wrote the track in 1962.

Thematic Swap: Instead of the spiritual's religious verses listing where to send the children, Kenner substituted a roll call of early 1960s dance crazes like the Watusi, the Mashed Potato, and the Pony.

The Title: Kenner's original unedited studio recording featured an a cappella, gospel-inflected intro referencing sending listeners away to "that land, the land of a thousand dances," which provided the title.

Famous Hook: The iconic "Na na na na na" hook was not part of Kenner's original arrangement or the spiritual; it was added later by Cannibal & the Headhunters during a 1965 live performance and recording when the lead singer forgot the words. Wilson Pickett later used this famous variation for his massive 1966 soul hit"

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LYRICS - LAND OF 1000 DANCES
(written and sung by Chris Kenner)

[Intro]

Children, go where I send you
(Where will you send me?)
I'm gonna send you to that land
The land of a thousand dances

[Verse 1]

Got to know how to Pony
Like "Bony Maronie"
You got to know how to Twist
Goes like this

[Verse 2]

Mashed Potato
Do the Alligator
Twist, twister
Like your sister

[Verse 3]

Then you get your Yo-Yo
Say, hey, let's go-go
Get out on your knees
Do the Sweet Peas

[Verse 4]

Roll over on your back
Say, "I Like It Like That"
Do the Watusi
Do the Watusi

[Verse 5]

Then you do the Fly
With the Hand Jive
Then you do the Slop
The Chicken and the Bop

[Verse 6]

Then you do the Fish
Slow, slow Twist
Then you do the Flow
Got to move solo
Then you do the Tango
Takes two to Tango

[Bridge]
Popeye, children
Popeye, children
Popeye, children

[Verse 7]

Come on, children
I wanna show you
This little place
'Cross the track

[Verse 8]
The name of this place
"I Like It Like That"
The name of the band
The Twistolettes

[Outro]

Come on, children
I wanna show you
I wanna show you
I wanna show you
Come on, children
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Here's information about "I Like It Like That" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Like_It_Like_That_(Chris_Kenner_song)
" "I Like It Like That" is a song by Chris Kenner and Allen Toussaint,[1] first recorded by Kenner, whose version reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961.[2] It was kept from the No.1 spot by "Tossin' and Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis.[3] This version also went to No. 2 on the R&B singles chart, also behind "Tossin' and Turnin'".[4] The narrator of the song invites the listener to come with him to a happening spot named "I Like It Like That". The lyrics in Kenner's version are mostly spoken in the verses, as well as saying the line: "The name of the place is". "....

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Cannibal & The Headhunters Land Of 1000 Dances

rene rios rodriguez, Oct 3, 2016 [1965]

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LYRICS - LAND OF 1000 DANCES
(sung by Cannibal And The Headhunters)

I said na na na na ...
You gotta know how to pony
Like Bonie Maronie
You gotta know how to twist
I said, it just like this

I said mashed potato
Do the alligator
I said, Billy, get your yo-yo
Come on and let's go
I said clap your hands (come on)
I said clap your hands (come on)
And then move your feet (come on)
Get into that beat (come on)

I said na na na na...
Everybody, come on now
Na na na na...

Yes, a one more time
Na na na na...

You gotta know how to jerk (oh, yeah)
Come on, baby, work
You gotta know how to jangle
Make you do the tango

I said, do the Watusi
Come on and do the Watusi
Ooh, ooh, ooh...
Ooo ooh ooh

I said, goodbye Lucy
I said, goodbye child
I said, wa-watusi...

I said na na na na ...
You gotta know how to pony
Like Bonie Maronie
You gotta know how to twist
I said, it just like this

I said mashed potato
Do the alligator
I said, Billy, get your yo-yo
Come on and let's go
I said clap your hands (come on)
I said clap your hands (come on)
And then move your feet (come on)
Get into that beat (come on)

I said na na na na...
Everybody, come on now
Na na na na...
Yes, a one more time
Na na na na...

You gotta know how to jerk (oh, yeah)
Come on, baby, work
You gotta know how to jangle
Make you do the tango
I said, do the Watusi
Coeme on and do the Watusi

Ooh, ooh, ooh...
Ooo ooh ooh

I said, goodbye Lucy
I said, goodbye child
I said, wa-watusi...

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - Wilson Pickett - Land of 1000 Dances [Full Version] [HQ Audio]

 

karluczi, Jan 24, 2013

Album: The Exciting Wilson Pickett

Release Date: 1966

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LYRICS - LAND OF 1000 DANCES
(as sung by Wilson Pickett)

Children, go where I send you
(Where will you send me?)
I'm gon' send you to that land
The land of a thousand dances

1-2-3
1-2-3

Ow! Uh! Alright! Uh!

Got to know how to pony
Like Bony Maronie
Mash potato, do the alligator
Put your hand on your hips, yeah
Let your backbone slip
Do the Watusi
Like my little Lucy
Hey! Uh!

Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na na-na-na na-na-na
I need somebody to help me say it one time
Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na na-na-na na-na-na
Wow!

[Instrumental]

Wow! Uh!
You know I feel alright!
Huh!
I feel pretty good y'all
Uh! Huh!

Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na na-na-na na-na-na
Come on y'all, let's say it one more time
Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na na-na-na na-na-na
Oow!

Playing in the alley
With long tall Sally
Twistin' with Lucy
Doin' the Watusi
Roll over on your back
I like it like that
Do that Jerk, uh
Watch me work y'all

Ow! Do it!
Wow! Do it!
Just watch me do it
Aah, help me
Aah, help me
Aah, help me
Aah, help me

About

Written in 1962 by Chris Kenner, first charted Cannibal and the Headhunters in 1965, and became a huge hit in 1966 when Wilson Pickett released it.

Online source - https://genius.com/Wilson-pickett-land-of-1000-dances-lyrics
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Here's some more information about Wilson Pickett's "Land Of 1000 Dances" from the discussion thread for the Wilson Pickett video that is embedded in this pancocojams post.

Melody Sanger, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mz_EXHKGHs

"TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

September 17, 1966 “Land Of 1,000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 1 week, also peaking at #6 on the Hot 100 on September 10, 1966. Written by Chris Kenner, it is the third chart topping single for the R&B vocal icon from Prattville, AL. After less than a year of working successfully with musicians at Stax Studios in Memphis, Wilson Pickett has a major falling out with the studios house band and label co-founder Jim Stewart. As a result, Stewart tells Atlantic Records executive and producer Jerry Wexler that he is banning all non-Stax recording artists from working at the labels Memphis studio. Wexler instead sends Pickett to work with producer Rick Hall at his FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. While deciding on material to record, one of the songs chosen is “Land Of 1,000 Dances”. 

Written and originally recorded by New Orleans born singer Chris Kenner (“I Like It Like That”) in 1963 (#77 Pop), the song becomes a party anthem and is covered numerous times including versions by Thee Midniters (#67 Pop) and Cannibal & The Headhunters (#30 Pop), the latter being the most successful version to date. Wilson Pickett records his version of the song on May 11, 1966 with members of the Muscle Shoals rhythm section including Roger Hawkins (drums), Spooner Oldham (keyboards), Junior Lowe (bass), Jimmy Johnson (guitar) along with Memphis based musicians Chips Moman (guitar), and horn players Charlie Chalmers, Andrew Love (tenor sax), Wayne Jackson (trumpet) and Floyd Newman (baritone sax). 

As soon as recording is completed, all agree that they have a hit on their hands. Released in late July of 1966, Pickett’s high octane version of “Land Of 1,000 Dances” quickly rises up the R&B and pop singles charts simultaneously, becoming one of Wilson Pickett’s signature songs, and a highlight of his frenetic live performances."
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This comment was reformatted to enhance its readability.

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