While standard blues traditionally expresses a variety of emotions, boogie-woogie is mainly dance music (although not usually played for the competitive dance known as boogie-woogie (dance), a term of convenience in that sport). The genre had a significant influence on rhythm and blues and rock and roll.

boogie-woogie, heavily percussive style of blues piano in which the right hand plays riffs (syncopated, repeating phrases) against a driving pattern of repeating eighth notes (ostinato bass).

Boogie woogie music originated in the late 1800s, created by travelling African Americans in East Texas, as a derivative of blues – particularly blues piano. Whilst traditional blues piano can portray a variety of emotions, often to do with love, longing and melancholy, boogie woogie blues is all about dancing!

The term may be derived from Black West African English, from the Sierra Leone term "bogi", which means "to dance"; as well, it may be akin to the phrase "hausa buga", which means "to beat drums".