The 10 Best Electronic Dance Music Classics

From Daft Punk to The Chemical Brothers, these are the 10 best classic EDM tracks that you need in your life.

Introduction

Dance music is a genre of electronic music that is played in nightclubs and on the radio. It typically has a heavy bass line and synthesizers. Dance music is often repetitive and has a 4/4 time signature. It originated in the early 1980s, when disco was declining in popularity.

“Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)” by Kraftwerk

“Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)” by Kraftwerk is one of the most iconic electronic dance music classics of all time. The song was released in 1974 and is considered to be one of the first electronic pop songs. It is characterized by its simple, catchy melody and its use of synthesizers.

“I Feel Love” by Donna Summer

“I Feel Love” is a song by Donna Summer, released in 1977. It was produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, and became one of the first disco hits to feature a synthesizer prominently in its arrangement. The song reached number one in the UK and number six in the US, and has since been covered by many artists.

“Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force

“Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force is a hip hop track that was released in 1982. It is widely regarded as one of the first electronic dance music classics and is credited with helping to pioneer the hip hop genre. The song was produced by Arthur Baker and John Robie and features vocals from Afrika Bambaataa, Soulsonic Force, and dating website reviews uk Berton Averre.

“Nunk” by Warp 9

Warp 9 was an electro hip hop group from Harlem, New York. The group was made up of producers/rappers Richie Rich and Mr. Freeze. “Nunk” was released in 1984 on the Streetwise label. The song is an electro classic and is considered one of the best examples of the genre.

“Pump Up the Volume” by MARRS

This song was released in 1987 and was an international hit, reaching number one in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, and New Zealand. The song samples heavily from Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noise” and features a rap by Hank Shocklee of The Bomb Squad.

“Strings of Life” by Rhythim is Rhythim

“Strings of Life” is a house music anthem released in 1987 by Rhythim is Rhythim. The tune was written and produced by Derrick May, and it features a Roland TB-303 bassline. The track also samples strings from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. “Strings of Life” became one of the most influential house music tunes of all time, and it helped to launch the career of Derrick May.

“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by The Eurythmics

Formed in 1980 by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, The Eurythmics were a British musical duo who released “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” one of the most popular and well-known electronic dance music classics, in 1983. The song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and became a worldwide hit, reaching the top ten in several countries including the United States, Australia, and Canada. With its catchy synth melody and Lennox’s iconic vocals, “Sweet Dreams” helped to bring electronic dance music into the mainstream and remains an influential track to this day.

“Temple of Love” by Sisters of Mercy

“Temple of Love” is a song by English rock band the Sisters of Mercy, released as a single in September 1992. It was the second single from their fifth album, Vision Thing (1990), and was their last single with lead singer Andrew Eldritch’s then-girlfriend Patricia Morrison, who appears on the record.

The song peaked at number three in Ireland and number five in the United Kingdom, while also charting in several other European countries. In North America, “Temple of Love” was a moderate hit on rock radio, reaching number 13 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart. A new remix of the song by electronic music duo Arthur Baker and Les Adams was also a club hit in the US.

The song has been featured in several films and television series, including The Mighty Boosh (2004), I’m Alan Partridge (1997), Stranger Things (2016), Velvet Goldmine (1998) and Lost in Translation (2003).

“Blue Monday” by New Order

“Blue Monday” is a song by the English rock band New Order. It was released as a single in 1983 and became an immediate commercial and critical success. The song has been widely influential and is often cited as one of the best and most influential dance tracks of all time.