As THON 2022 begins to wind down, we’re just hours away from the Final Four and its many traditions, including Family Hour and the long-awaited fundraising total reveal.

One often-forgotten event? Run-throughs of the last four line dances! Traditionally, former Dancer Relations captains will hop on stage to perform their respective year’s line dance. It’s a great way to inject some nostalgia into an action-packed weekend.

Now that you think about it, you’re probably a bit dusty on some older line dances. And if you’re a total noob, you’ve got no idea what’s coming your way. Take a look at each year’s line dance below for a brief crash course or refresher.

2017

Theme: Igniting Hope Within

Line dance:

Top three lyrics:

1. WHY IS EVERYTHING SO LIT? // WHAT WAS THIS YEAR’S BIGGEST HIT?!
2. Smell the roses, bags are packed // Penn State football, guess who’s back?
3. Shake the stands, rock the floor // Hear our little lions roar

Short and snappy lines often make for some of the best line dance lyrics. References to “smelling roses” during Penn State football’s 2017 Rose Bowl season and rocking the floor are perfect for hyping up a crowd, even half a decade later.

2018

Theme: Discovering Tomorrow’s Wonder.

Line dance:

Top three lyrics:

1. Cardi B makes money moves // Ooh, look what you made me do
2. College GameDay hits Old Main // Nittany Lion hall of fame
3. Eagles fly, Pens win cup // Trust the process, buckle up

Every “just outside of Philly” Penn Stater will never live down that Super Bowl LII win for the Eagles, and they’re not shutting up anytime soon. Anyway, nods to College GameDay’s return to campus and Carbi B are okurrrr in our book, too.

2019

Theme: Shape The Moment

Line dance:

Top three lyrics:

1. Wally Triplett, white and blue // WE ARE! Thanks to you
2. For the Kids, For the Glory // Penn State, let’s tell our story
3. Diamonds up, watch them soar // FTK! Is how we roar

You always remember your first (line dance), and this was mine. I fondly remember chanting these lines as a wide-eyed freshman. THON 2019’s tribute to Triplett was heartfelt then and still feels powerful now.

2020

Theme: Journey Together

Line dance:

Top three lyrics:

1. Hardwood Lions, play it cool // Say it with me, B-BALL SCHOOL
2. Trebek final jeopardy // Alex Morgan sips her tea
3. Mamba! Mentality // Kobe leaves his legacy

Remember when Penn State was a basketball school for, like, five months? Awesome stuff. Nods to Kobe Bryant and Alex Trebek deserve high praise, too.

2021

Theme: Rise and Unify

Line dance:

Top three lyrics:

1. Trace McSorley throws a dime // HUB Tent hang out rain or shine
2. Here’s to you, RBG // Boseman in our memory
3. For The Kids, although apart // united always in our hearts

THON 2021 brought on unique challenges via its online-only structure, but the line dance was fun as always. This line dance’s lyrics leaned on nostalgia and unity to keep the Penn State community in high spirits during a pandemic-plagued year.

2022

Theme: Spark Endless Light

Line dance:

Top three lyrics:

1. THON is home, lives in our hearts // Endless in the love we spark
2. Hear us roar, our endless chant // Still we “Dance For Those Who Can’t”
3. Rookies, stats are packed // Gates are open, Beaver’s back!

THON 2022’s line dance lyrics were dominated by THON’s 50th anniversary. One of our favorite lines offers a nod to the first-ever THON theme. Others symbolize THON’s unity. That line about finally returning to Beaver Stadium is hype, too.