There’s something energizing and infectiously upbeat about dance songs, which compel you to tap your feet and rock from side-to-side.
From disco classics to techno anthems, here are the best dance music songs to help get your groove on! From disco hits to pumping techno tunes, check out this list of songs to help get your dancing feet moving!
‘Dancing on My Own’ by Robyn
Robyn’s most accessible track is this pulsing synth ballad with a straightforward message – one which anyone can relate to after experiencing their heart break up and seeing your ex dancing with someone new in a club. Inspired by such an experience, it vividly describes what it feels like seeing an ex dancing with someone new at a club; an experience which anyone can identify with and therefore has proven so enduringly popular among fans of her music.
Robyn wrote the lyrics first and enlisted producer Patrik Berger to arrange them into a song. Berger recalls starting off with an acoustic vibe; chords, tracks and melody came quickly while lyrics took time – every word needed to feel right for an enjoyable experience!
“Trophies of Love,” first released as the lead track from her three Body Talk albums, quickly became a success in Europe and then America, becoming an instant classic and one of her three hit songs from those albums. Since then, its melody has provided the backdrop to endless pop culture moments about yearning, growing up, and community building: Lena Dunham used it in Girls as Hannah and Marnie discover that their college boyfriend is gay; Elle Fanning sang it to escape her small town in Teen Spirit drama; while in 2019 an online video went viral showing people harmonizing to it — making this track one of critics’ best picks from this decade! Critics unanimously consider it one of this decade’s finest!
‘Let The Music Play’ by Shannon
Shannon has written one of the greatest dance music songs of all time with their timeless hit “Love for Sale”, making this track an essential listen for disco fans everywhere. With its irresistibly catchy beat and captivating vocals, its irresistibly catchy melody simply cannot fail to mesmerise listeners – making this iconic track truly irresistible!
Brenda Shannon Greene was only 25 when she recorded this tune for Emergency Records of New York in Autumn 1983 – it would become her breakthrough hit and help catapult freestyle into mainstream ’80s music after disco had fallen off its charts due to backlash. With its combination of typical electro-synth basslines, lovely piano lines and uptempo breakbeats this song quickly became a smash hit!
Breakdance battles and roller rinks alike found this song an anthem of freedom resonating with teenagers across the country, providing an emotional soundtrack of teenage heartbreak and self-love that resonated with a whole new generation of listeners. Credited with helping to feminize electro and bridge between disco and the more modern house style that would soon take hold over time. Furthermore, its success enabled artists such as Lisa Lisa, Afrika Bambaata and Planet Patrol to become prominent names on dance scenes worldwide.
‘One More Time’ by Daft Punk
Daft Punk sent shockwaves through the global music community with their shocking announcement to retire their helmets and leather jackets forever, marking an end of an era. For years, Daft Punk were dance music favorites, emerging from underground to mainstream status with ease thanks to their near-anonymous persona and polished video productions that created an aura of ineffability that garnered them almost cultlike devotion from music fans worldwide. They left behind an incredible legacy for younger artists that continues today through Ed Banger Records while Justice take rock distortion into electronic and Kavinsky is exploring dramatic effects through sample cuts.
“One More Time” by Daft Punk cemented their reputation, thanks to its infectious energy and inspiring message. First released as the lead single from Discovery album in November 2000, “One More Time” propelled Daft Punk into stardom; Rolling Stone named it 33rd best record of the decade; vocalist Romanthony handled vocal duties while Daft Punk managed production duties solely. Additionally, this song served as the backdrop to their 2003 animation Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the Secret Star System produced alongside anime/manga creator Leiji Matsumoto.
‘Trans-Europe Express’ by Kraftwerk
Trans-Europe Express was Kraftwerk’s most ambitious and complex album to date, recorded at their Kling Klang studios in Dusseldorf as an ambitious concept piece on European identity and technology.
The title track’s juddering rhythm imitated the clickety-clack of wheel axles and would later be sampled by early hip-hop artists like Afrika Bambaataa. Furthermore, its iconic synthesizer riff had an enormously influential role on electronic music overall and would later be utilized by Kraftwerk themselves for their 1982 hit ‘Planet Rock’ album.
Following up from their electro-pop era that started with Autobahn, Ralf Hutter, Florian Schneider and Karl Bartos took sequenced beats to new heights on this album. Drawing inspiration from James Brown as they created a rhythmic template which would shape much of their future work together as a band.
Trans-Europe Express explored disparities between reality and appearance through songs such as ‘Showroom Dummies,’ while celebrating both Europe’s Eurorail service and itself. Boasting more structured melodies than rock/pop song structures with sparse vocals often enhanced with digital effects, Trans-Europe Express became one of the most influential electronic albums of all time.
‘I Feel Love’ by Donna Summer
Donna Summer was an undisputed queen of disco music during her illustrious career, scoring numerous massive hits during that period – none as powerfully emotive or memorable as this 1977 single from “Queen of Disco.” With its melodic plateau and repetitive title phrase (five times) suggesting an experience beyond words – taking listeners on an unforgettable journey of love that transcends words altogether and takes us all closer to heaven than we ever dreamt possible!
Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte’s production of “I Feel Love”, revolutionised dance music with its revolutionary 1975 track ‘Love to Love You Baby”, but their collaboration on “I Feel Love” redefined what an anthem for modern dance meant. Instead of lavish orchestral arrangements they chose clinical synthesization that produced a pulse-inducing beat that became the template for club mixes as well as house genre.
Moog Modular 3P synthesizer provides the hypnotising backdrop to Summer’s vocal, allowing her to create an enchanting atmosphere while conjuring images of female pleasure and ecstasy. This track became one of the ultimate club tracks as its vision of female energy made it the ultimate club track transforming dance from being just an intimate affair into an expression of human connection; whether at your conservative aunt’s wedding or 4am in a Dalston basement this song sets the mood and makes things happen!
‘Good Times’ by Chic
In 1979, disco was being hit hard by an unexpected backlash which would soon see it recede from its dominant place on pop charts. Amid this turmoil, CHIC released an innovative dance song which proved that dance music could still be exciting and innovative – one which would go on to become one of the most sampled and influential songs ever.
Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were inspired by Kool & The Gang’s 1974 hit ‘Hollywood Swinging’ when creating this song, yet its most distinctive aspect is undoubtedly its three-minute instrumental break which starts out simple before building up until strings enter for an explosive finish.
The track was an instantaneous hit and remained in the top five hit list for an entire year – but more significantly became a template for what would later become known as rap music at New York block parties. When Sugarhill Gang member Sylvia Robinson wanted to record her own rap tune she used ‘Good Times’ as inspiration and made “Rapper’s Delight”, featuring looped instrumental grooves with scratched samples from a string section section; setting the standard for modern day rap as we know it today.
‘Your Love’ by Nile Rodgers
This track is one of the best dance music songs to instantly get you moving. With its iconic beats and captivating vocal performance, this will quickly make any dance floor your home. No matter if it is just you or an entire group – this must-listen track won’t let anyone down!
Chic’s breakthrough hit, Le Freak, propelled them into disco royalty status and they followed it up with this timeless classic anthem which has since been called an international classic. With its mesmeric beats and soulful vocal delivery, this track can keep listeners dancing around until late.
If you want to add some class and sophistication to your dancing, this song is a surefire way of doing just that. With its catchy beats and seductive lyrics, this tune will have you feeling like an elegant goddess immediately – no wonder so many single ladies chant its name at parties!
If you love dance music, our selection of Nile Rodgers tickets might just be for you! Catch this legend of musicianry with his group CHIC live next year – click here for more info.