If you are someone that spends a lot of time on TikTok, you likely have heard the audio “wow, you can really dance” at least once. As the phrase itself would imply, it is typically used over videos of people dancing.
Whether they are actually good at dancing or not, this phrase is still often used regardless. But what does this phrase actually mean?
This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The phrase “wow, you can really dance” refers to a TikTok trend where users have created a series of videos with the lyrics “wow, you can really dance” over it. It can also be used to refer to other dance trends on the popular social media platform.
Often people will refer to the song that this phrase comes from by the phrase itself rather than the actual title of the song (Coincidence by a YouTube channel called Handsome Dancer).
The phrase in itself is self-explanatory, it is used to express awe and appreciation of a persons dancing ability. This phrase may be used more literally to comment on someone’s dance moves that you genuinely think are good, though this is not used as often as it is to refer to the TikTok trend. More information can be found in the video (here).
Example Usage
“Come check out this dance! Wow, you can really dance.”
“Look at this person’s moves! Wow, you can really dance.”
“Wow, you can really dance, I thought you were kidding when you said you had moves”.
“Look at this new dance trend on TikTok! Wow, you can really dance.”
“Come look at the Coincidance music video. Wow, you can really dance.”
Origin
The phrase “wow, you can really dance” was heard for the first time in a music video released to YouTube in 2015. It was uploaded by the channel Handsome Dancer, while the video was directed and written by James Manzello. The song that this phrase came from was titled Coindicance, and in the video, two men bring peace to the world through the power of dancing.
The popularity of this phrase skyrocketed in 2019, which is when a large amount of TikTok users began creating videos using the audio. To date, there are thousands of videos on the app that have used this sound. Some of these videos included tutorials for how to do the dance that is seen in the original Coincidance video. “Wow, you can really dance” quickly took over other social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, with #wowyoucanreallydance becoming popular. It can also be seen in a number of videos that have been uploaded to YouTube.
Phrases Similar to Wow, You Can Really Dance
- Dance the night away
- Strut your stuff
- Burn up the dance floor
- Boogie
- Put on your dancing shoes
- Let’s dance
Phrases Opposite to Wow, You Can Really Dance
- You’re a terrible dancer.
- You can’t dance.
- Two left feet.
What is the Correct Saying?
- “Wow, you can really dance” is the correct phrase itself.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Wow, You Can Really Dance
The phrase “wow, you can really dance” refers to the dance trend on TikTok, or can be used more literally to tell someone that they are actually good at dancing. Attempting to use the phrase in any context other than these would be incorrect. Some ways that “wow, you can really dance” is used incorrectly are:
- This dance video sucks. Wow, you can really dance.
- That person doesn’t know how to dance. Wow, you can really dance.
- You’re terrible at this. Wow, you can really dance.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Wow, You Can Really Dance
- I love this song! Wow, you can really dance.
- Come watch this dance video. Wow, you can really dance.
- Hey! Nice moves! Wow, you can really dance.
- Check out this TikTok trend. Wow, you can really dance.