The Best Dance Songs of All Time: Electronic Dance Music, Funk, Rock,
Contents
From Donna Summer to Daft Punk, we rank the best dance songs of all time. This list includes great electronic dance music, funk, and rock songs.
The Best Dance Songs of All Time: Electronic Dance Music, Funk, Rock,
Dance songs are songs that are specifically made for dancing. They are usually high energy and have a catchy beat that makes them easy to dance to. Many different genres of music can be classified as dance music, but the most popular genres are electronic dance music, funk, and rock.
Daft Punk- One More Time
Daft Punk is a French electronic music duo formed in Paris in 1993 by guy-manuel de homem-christo and thomas bangalter. The duo achieved significant popularity in the late 1990s as part of the french house movement and had continuous success in the years following, combining elements of house music with funk, techno, disco, rock and synthpop influences. They are also known for their visual stylization and elaborate stage performances. The two wore ornate robots costumes while performing, which brought them to prominence in the music industry.
The Black Eyed Peas- I Gotta Feeling
The Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” is one of the most iconic and well-known dance songs of all time. The song was released in 2009 and immediately became a worldwide hit. It topped the charts in multiple countries and won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The song is known for its catchy hook and upbeat tempo, making it perfect for dancing.
Justin Timberlake- Can’t Stop the Feeling
It may be hard to believe, but “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” was only Justin Timberlake’s second No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The feel-good dance track spent three weeks atop the all-genre singles ranking in 2016, which means it was one of the year’s biggest hits. Given its crossover appeal, it’s no wonder that the song has gone on to become one of Timberlake’s most enduring hits.
Beyonce- Run the World (Girls)
“Run the World (Girls)” is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé for her fourth studio album, 4 (2011). The song was released as the lead single from the album on April 21, 2011. Patrick Douthit, known professionally as 9th Wonder, co-produced the track with Beyoncé and Swizz Beatz. The song was written by Terius Nash, Shea Taylor, Cainon Lamb, Lorenzo “WOW” Holmes, Rob Fusari, Wesley Pentz and Beyoncé. “Run the World (Girls)” is an uptempo dance song with influences of hip hop and electronic music. Its lyrics depict girls being empowered and celebrating their achievements.
The single peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became her fourth consecutive top ten hit in the United Kingdom peaking at number 10. The song’s accompanying music video was directed by Francis Lawrence and released on May 16, 2011. Critics praised its Powell-like choreography and Beyoncé’s sexiness. “Run the World (Girls)” won Best Choreography at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. It also peaked at number one on both US hot dance club songs and US hot R&B/hip-hop songs charts. Globally, “Run the World (Girls)” topped more than 20 dance charts including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and South Korea.
Michael Jackson- Thriller
Released in late 1982, “Thriller” was an instant sensation, topping the charts worldwide and becoming the best-selling album of all time. The title track, a dance song with a horror movie-themed video, was an instant classic, and the album’s other singles – “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” and “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” – were also huge hits. Jackson’s popularity was at an all-time high, and “Thriller” remains one of his most iconic and enduring works.
The Best Dance Songs of All Time: Hip Hop, R&B, Soul
We’re taking a look at the best dance songs of all time, spanning several decades and genres including electronic dance music, funk, rock, hip hop, and R&B. These are the songs that get everyone on the dance floor, no matter what the occasion.
Outkast- Hey Ya!
“Hey Ya!” is a song recorded by American hip hop duo Outkast for their fifth studio album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003). It was released as lead single from the double album on September 26, 2003. The song was written by André 3000 and produced by André 3000 and Earthtone III. “Hey Ya!” takes influence from new wave, rock and roll, synth-pop, rap and dirty South hip hop sounds of the 1980s and 1990s.
The single entered the top ten on almost every publication’s year-end list for 2003. In 2002, “Hey Ya!” was ranked 138th on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. Pitchfork Media placed it at number 14 in their list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2000s. In 2009, they ranked it at number 24 in their 200 Best Songs of the Decade. In 2012, Complex named it one of the classic tracks of André 3000’s career.
Usher- Yeah!
“Yeah!” is a song co-written and performed by American singer Usher and features rapper Lil Jon and American rapper Ludacris. It was released on March 23, 2004, as the lead single from Usher’s fourth studio album, Confessions (2004). The song’s production was handled by Lil Jon who also co-wrote the song with Usher and Ludacris.
“Yeah!” topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for twelve consecutive weeks, before being replaced by Usher’s follow-up single “Burn”. Yeah! was the 2004 Billboard Year-End number one single. In 2008, it was ranked number 36 on Billboard’s All-Time Top 100 Hot 100 singles of all time. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 47th Grammy Awards. The song ranked second on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 100 Best Songs of 2004”. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 67 on its list “150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years”.
Blackstreet- No Diggity
“No Diggity” is a 1996 song by American R&B group Blackstreet. It was the first single released from their second album, Another Level. The song features a rap verse from Dr. Dre. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts in the United States, and peaked at number four in the United Kingdom. The song features vocals from Queen Pen and Blackstreet member Levi Little.
Montell Jordan- This Is How We Do It
This Is How We Do It is a song by Montell Jordan. It was released on January 28, 1995 as the lead single from his debut album of the same name. The song was a huge success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming Jordan’s signature song. The song samples Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story” and Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew’s “The Show”.
Aaliyah- Are You That Somebody
Aaliyah’s song “Are You That Somebody” was released in 1998 and quickly became a hit. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. “Are You That Somebody” is a classic R&B love song that is perfect for dancing.
The Best Dance Songs of All Time: Country
Line dancing, two-stepping, square dancing – there’s a reason country songs are some of the most popular songs to dance to. They have a catchy beat, easy-to-follow lyrics, and they always get you on your feet. Here are some of our favorite country dance songs of all time.
Brooks & Dunn- Boot Scootin’ Boogie
This song was released in 1992 and was an instant hit, spending eight weeks at the top of the country charts. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Billy Ray Cyrus- Achy Breaky Heart
This light-hearted country tune about heartache caused by a philandering partner was an unlikely candidate for a global dance craze, but that’s exactly what happened when Billy Ray Cyrus released “Achy Breaky Heart” in 1992. The simple and catchy dance moves popularized in the accompanying music video helped make the song an international sensation, and it has remained a must-play at weddings and parties ever since.
Dixie Chicks- Goodbye Earl
The Dixie Chicks are an American country music band which has also crossed over into other genres, including pop and alternative country. They are composed of sisters Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire, and Emily Erwin Robison. The group formed in 1989 in Dallas, Texas, and was originally composed of four women performing bluegrass and country music, busking and touring in the United States and Canada. The band rose to prominence in the late 1990s with their debut album, Wide Open Spaces, which hit number one on the Billboard Country Albums chart and was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The album’s third single, “Goodbye Earl”, brought the Dixie Chicks their first Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The song is a murder ballad about a woman who conspires with her friend to kill her abusive husband. Despite its dark subject matter, “Goodbye Earl” was met with critical acclaim and became one of the Dixie Chicks’ most popular singles. It has been covered by multiple artists, including Linda Ronstadt and Kelly Clarkson.
Big & Rich- Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)
This song is sure to get any party going, with a mix of country and electronic dance music that is impossible to resist. The catchy beat and infectious chorus will have you out on the dance floor in no time.
Garth Brooks- Friends in Low Places
Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” is one of the best dance songs of all time. The song was released in 1990 and quickly rose to the top of the country charts. The song is about a group of friends who get together to have a good time, no matter what their circumstances are. The lyrics are simple but catchy, and the melody is perfect for dancing.
