Music charts combine two pieces of information about songs: how frequently they’re heard on radio or jukeboxes and how much people buy it. Companies can use these charts as valuable market intelligence.
Many dance tracks start off with a four-on-the-floor rhythm, wherein a kick drum plays out a steady four-beat boom boom boom on each beat of music – each boom represents one beat while each line in the chart represents an eighth of a beat.
Disco
Disco was one of the shortest-lived music fads, yet still has had an enormous effect on modern dance music. It dominated in the 1970s thanks to hit records by artists such as Bee Gees, ABBA, Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Kool & the Gang and Earth Wind and Fire; dance television shows like Soul Train hosted by Don Cornelius or Marty Angelo’s Step-by-Step Television Show or Disco Magic/Disco 77 were popular; disco radio stations like WPIX-FM offered disco radio stations with dance music exclusively dedicated to disco music!
Studio 54 dance club in Manhattan became an attractive destination for celebrities during the ’70s, becoming known for its famous clientele and performers like Madonna who frequented its hallowed walls. While performers drew most of the public eye, producers played a critical role in shaping what later came to be known as disco music.
Disco is an amalgamation of R&B, Funk, Jazz, and Latino influences and its initial audiences were clubgoers from New York City and Philadelphia’s African American, Italian American, psychedelic communities as well as those with African roots and the psychedelic movement. Saturday Night Fever introduced disco to mainstream audiences with several Top 10 hits by Village People artists like Diana Ross.
Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte of Munich, West Germany are widely credited with pioneering the unique sound of disco music. Working alongside Donna Summer, they produced several hits that epitomized disco’s distinctive style. Disco songs typically feature a four-on-the-floor beat featuring syncopated bass drum beats, rhythm guitar chords, snare drum patterns with open hi-hat patterns, as well as Latin polyrhythms such as rhumbas layered over merengues or any combination thereof.
The 80s
Dance music was an immensely popular form of expression during the 80s in both America and other nations, from Duran Duran’s glossy new wave soundscapes to Janet Jackson’s fiery anthems and Run-DMC’s thunderous beats, to INXS’ sinewy sax-rock sound and Prince’s hyperactive funk; dance hits from this decade electrified dance floors while helping pave the way for later electronic genres.
Synth pop was an integral element of 80s dance music, and Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics was one of its signature tracks of that decade. Featuring Annie Lennox’s unforgettable vocals as well as its memorable synth riff, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” became an instantly recognizable piece of pop culture.
80s dance music resonated strongly with audiences due to its upbeat, energetic nature; especially songs featuring disco-inspired melodies and lyrics.
Technotronic’s “Pump Up the Jam” is an iconic example of 80s dance music, with its catchy rhythm and pulsating synths. Additionally, this track features Felly’s energetic rap verses to encourage listeners to get up and move!
“It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls became one of the era’s most beloved dance tracks when it was released in 1982. Boasting an addictive chorus and driving beat, its lyrics celebrate the arrival of handsome men – making this timeless classic still played at dance parties today!
The 90s
The 1990s was an incredible decade for dance music, from Eurodance beats and house to sexy funk, girl-power anthems, and bubblegum pop hits. Dance parties in the 1990s were like musical buffets where underground sensations, alt-rock standards, hip hop anthems, pop chart-toppers collided joyfully; acts such as Black Box and C+C Music Factory brought club-dominating beats onto global streets while MTV-era royalty like Madonna and Janet Jackson kept pushing boundaries with highly danceable songs that borrowed elements from pop’s cutting edge.
“Strike It Up” by Black Box is an upbeat dance tune with an infectious melody and catchy hook – making it ideal for dance floors and parties alike! Martha Wash’s powerful yet soulful voice adds even more energy to this memorable track, while its infectious beat and lyrics make it a timeless classic from 90s dance music genre.
“Another Night” by MC Sar and The Real McCoy was another smash dance hit from the 90s. Featuring an upbeat rhythm and electronic beats, its catchy lyrics tell the tale of love affairs while its catchy chorus will likely stay stuck in your mind for days after listening!
The 1990s witnessed a boom in dance music across several genres and artists, such as Eurodance, hip hop and trance. This list features some of the greatest 90s dance hits ranging from early hip hop beats to unforgettable boy band hits and girl power anthems from Haddaway’s “What Is Love?” and Spice Girls’ Wannabe; classics that still resonate today.
The 2000s
In the 2000s, several musical trends emerged. Boy bands such as *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys found renewed success, dominating charts with catchy tunes and charismatic personalities. Girl groups such as Destiny’s Child, TLC and Spice Girls inspired young women everywhere with their powerful lyrics and messages. Meanwhile in pop music artists experimented with various genres until finding one they enjoyed best; this gave birth to new styles like Emo while others found success blending rock, hip hop and country into one sound.
Kylie Minogue’s iconic dance tune, “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”, remains one of the most beloved songs from this era. This upbeat track with its catchy beat and catchy chorus remains popular on dance music charts today and serves as an example of how pop music can unite diverse genres to produce something truly timeless that can appeal to a wide variety of listeners.
Another memorable track from this period is “Romeo” by Basement Jaxx, an impressive combination of electronic dance and classic rock music with powerful vocals and catchy beats that makes this tune an instantaneous dancefloor hit. Additionally, its lyrics are easy to remember while its instrumentals add depth and diversity to any playlist.
“Toca’s Miracle” by Fragma stands as an outstanding dance classic from the 2000s. This song is an infectious disco house track with an upbeat tempo and catchy melody that have made this track an essential component of dance playlists worldwide for decades.
The 2010s
The 2010s saw the explosion of EDM that forever altered pop culture as we know it. Pulsating and treble-laden electronic dance music (EDM) established itself as the de facto language for crowd-pleasing live performances and Top 40 chart hits alike, giving rise to artists such as Adele who adopted her unique sound to become an international star; Ed Sheeran began producing records in his bedroom; Billie Eilish used her tween-age brother as producer to craft new sonic language for modern youth; mainstream stars reclaimed their identities as authentic and empowering artists by songs about partying, personal development, self-esteem or love (among others).
The 2010s saw underground artists flourish, such as rapper Tyler, the Creator’s mesmerizing yet controversial strip club music that mesmerized and offended certain corners of the internet simultaneously. Furthermore, hip-hop dancers like Chaka Khan reimagined its signature choreography into something fresh.
Disclosure delivered an infectious 2010 hit called “Latch.” With its infectious chorus and expert production, “Latch” proved radio-ready deep house wasn’t on its way out – while Sam Smith added undeniable credibility to this beat-making duo’s debut single.