James Brown reveals why he dances in this 1969 interview

There was a day, there was a time
When I used to play
There was a time when I used to play
But take me now, baby, don’t worry about later
Teach the dance I used to do
They call it the Mashed Potato
There was a day, now dig this
There was a day, they call it the Jerk
Everybody relax and watch me work

https://youtu.be/CVlE4xEeiAQ