The Freddie

The Freddie was a short-lived 1960s fad dance prompted by the release of the songs "I'm Telling You Now," and "Do the Freddie," both by the British band, Freddie and the Dreamers. "Do the Freddie" had been a #18 hit in the United States in 1965, and American dance craze stalwart Chubby Checker had then made it to #40 with the minor hit "Let's Do the Freddie" in that same year.

To do The Freddie, simply stand in place; then, in rhythm with the music first extend the left leg and left arm; then the right leg and right arm. Repeat until the song's conclusion.

The dance never achieved great popularity, though a re-interest occurred in the 1980s when the song (and dance) were incorporated into a gag in the movie Troop Beverly Hills.

The Dreamers' hit should not be confused with a copycat song, "Let's Do the Freddie," sung by Chubby Checker and released as a single in 1965 apparently to cash in on the would-be dance fad.

In 1987 another song called "Do the Freddy" was released, off the gimmick album Freddy's Greatest Hits. Complete with guest vocals by Robert Englund as slasher movie icon Freddy Krueger, the song also contained instructions on how to dance "The Freddy".

The Freddie is also mentioned in "The Frug", a song by the band Rilo Kiley (A reference made because the band's guitarist Jenny Lewis had starred in Troop Beverly Hills as a child). It appeared on both their debut album, The Initial Friend E.P., and on the soundtrack to the movie Desert Blue.

The Adolescents also released a song in the 1980s entitled "Do the Freddy".

In The Simpsons episode "Duffless", Bart dreams of a "Go-Go Ray" with the ability to force teachers and administrators to perform various fad dances, including the Mashed Potato, the Jerk, and the Freddie.

External links