The Brief: TikTokers are dancing to Billy Joel's "Zanzibar" with choreography by @maxmith_.
DEEP DIVE
On January 11, TikToker @mamith_ posted a video of her dancing to the song “Zanzibar” by Billy Joel, inspiring a new TikTok trend. In the days and weeks that followed, TikTokers posted their own renditions of the dance which is set to a clip that includes the following lyrics:
…Shantytown
She’s gonna pull the curtains down
For me, for me
I’ve got the old man’s car
I’ve got a jazz guitar
The dance features basic hand motions including thumbs up, giving the middle finger, miming driving, and air guitar.
@maxmith_ new dance alert !!! billy joel nation rise
@maxmith posted a follow-up video with a tutorial on how to perform the dance with sufficient gusto.
@maxmith_ zanzibar tutorial <3 #billyjoel
@flower.gurl77
Internet stars including Emma Chamberlain have posted TikToks of the dance:
@emmachamberlain
@shacrow WE DANCIN TO BILLY JOEL?
Creator of the “Say So” dance, Haley Sharpe gave the “Zanzibar” dance her seal of approval in this TikTok:
@postysdaughther i think i’m gonna put makeup on now dc @maxmith_
@clockluvr i’m coming out as a billy joel fan
@benmortonofficial DANCE CREDS @maxmith_
@jubilanteggplant my little mans did so good
@lilbb666 Reply to @brutalism_hater_ this made my day thank u