Best Techno Music of All Time
Contents
A comprehensive guide to the best techno music of all time. Featuring classic tracks and modern hits, this list has something for everyone.
Introduction
Techno is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid-to-late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a specific genre of music, was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which a number of subgenres have been built.
Techno is generally repetitive instrumental music produced for use in a continuous DJ set. The central rhythmic component is most often in common time (4/4), where time is marked by the beats of a hi-hat, usually eighth notes (quavers) or sixteenth notes (semiquavers). As a result, constructing tracks using elements such as drum machines, sequencers, and synthesizers become more common than live musicians playing traditional instruments.
The sounds associated with techno include beeps, clicks, hisses, humming drones, bleeps, and blips. These various sounds are produced by machines such as drum machines and synthesizers; they are often mixed together by a DJ using a mixer.
The 1980s
Although there are many genres of techno music, the 1980s is often considered the golden age of techno. This was the decade when techno music first emerged and developed into a distinct genre. Some of the most influential and groundbreaking techno music was produced during this decade. Let’s take a look at some of the best techno music of all time.
Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force – Planet Rock
Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force’s “Planet Rock” is a milestone in the history of techno music. Released in 1982, it was one of the first records to successfully blend electronic music with rap. The result was a track that was both innovative and catchy, and it quickly became one of the most popular songs of the 1980s. “Planet Rock” helped to launch the careers of both Afrika Bambaataa and producer Arthur Baker, and it remains one of the most influential tracks in the history of techno music.
Newcleus – Jam on It
Newcleus is an American hip hop and electro music group that was influential in the development of the genre. The group’s name is a portmanteau of “new clef,” referring to their use of synthesizers as their main instrument. Newcleus is best known for their 1984 hit single “Jam on It”, which was featured in the film Breakin’ and has been sampled numerous times since its release.
The group was formed in 1981 in Brooklyn, New York by co-founders Montell Jordan and Luke Skyywalker (later known as Luke Skyywalker, aka Jedi Master Luke Skywalker of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi fame). The group also included rappers Lady Eazy-E and MC Southside Rocker. Newcleus recorded several 12″ singles throughout the early 1980s, including “Computer Age (Push the Button)” and “Destination Earth”, both of which were later compiled on the group’s debut album, Jam on Revenge: The Newcleus Anthology.
While “Jam on It” was their only charting single, the song has been widely praised as one of the best techno songs of all time. In 2002, Rolling Stone ranked it #72 on their list of the 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time.
Cybotron – Clear
Formed in 1980 in Detroit, Cybotron was one of the first groups to fusedemo and techno music. The group was made up of Juan Atkins (a.k.a. Model 500) and Rick Davis (a.k.a. Cybotron). The duo released their debut album, Clear, in 1983, which featured the single “Alleys of Your Mind.” The song became an underground hit, helping to launch the techno music genre.
The 1990s
The 1990s was a decade of great change in the music industry. Techno music became more popular and widespread, with artists like The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, and Fatboy Slim leading the way. This decade also saw the rise of electronic dance music, with DJ culture becoming more mainstream.
The Chemical Brothers – Hey Boy, Hey Girl
“Hey Boy, Hey Girl” is a song by The Chemical Brothers and the first single from their album Surrender. It was released on 28 September 1999. The song peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart, making it the duo’s highest-charting single until “Galvanize” reached number three in 2005. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 73 on its list “150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years”.
The Prodigy – Breathe
“Breathe” is a song by English electronic music group the Prodigy. It was released as their second single from the album The Fat of the Land on 8 December 1996 on claymation promotional videos. The song became a number-one hit in 17 countries and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1997. In Australia, it spent four weeks at number one, becoming the country’s longest-running number one single by a foreign artist.
Fatboy Slim – Praise You
Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You” was released in 1998 as part of his second album, Better Living Through Chemistry. The song became an instant hit, reaching number one in the UK and number two in the US. The song is based on a sample of the 1968 track “I Know You Got Soul” by Bobby Byrd.
The 2000s
In the early 2000s, electronic music became more mainstream with the help of artists such as Daft Punk, The Prodigy, and Fatboy Slim. This decade also saw the rise of techno music, which is a type of electronic dance music that became popular in underground nightclubs. Techno music is often characterized by its fast tempo, repetitive beats, and synthesized melodies.
Daft Punk – One More Time
Daft Punk is a French electronic music duo formed in 1993 by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter. They achieved popularity in the late 1990s as part of the French house movement; they also had success in the years following, combining elements of house music with funk, techno, disco, rock, and synth-pop influences. They are also known for their visual stylization and disguises associated with their music. The duo were managed from 1996 to 2008 by pedro Winter (also known as Busy P), the head of Ed Banger Records.
Justice – D.A.N.C.E.
This song was released in 2007 by the French electronic duo Justice. It is one of the most well-known techno songs of all time and has been featured in commercials, movies, and tv shows. The song is upbeat and features a catchy melody that is sure to get you moving.
deadmau5 – Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff
Now, this is a CLASSIC techno song. If you were to ask any raver from the 2000s what their favorite techno song is, chances are, they would say this one. “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff” by deadmau5 was originally released in 2008, but it didn’t gain mainstream attention until 2009. The song features a catchy melody, heavy bass, and of course, the iconic deadmau5 head. If you’re looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, this is the song for you.
