Cotton Eye Joe began as a traditional American folk song long before it became a global dance hit in the 1990s, when Swedish group Rednex recorded a high-energy eurodance version in 1994. That version topped charts across Europe and became a staple at parties, weddings and school dances. The short, repetitive chorus and fiddle riff made it easy to remix, and it later found a second life online, where creators reuse the hook for dance trends, ironic celebrations and fast-paced meme edits.