Electronic Dance Music: Popular Dance Songs of 2017
Contents
This year’s dance music was marked by a return to basics, with many artists stripping down their sound to create catchy, club-ready tracks. Here are some of the most popular dance songs of 2017.
What is Electronic Dance Music?
Electronic Dance Music, or EDM as it’s commonly called, has become one of the most popular genres of music in recent years. It’s a catch-all term for a wide range of styles that emerged from the underground club culture of the 1980s and ’90s. Today, EDM is heard everywhere from mainstream pop and hip-hop to independent rock and folk.
Most EDM is made with computers and synthesizers, and it often features samples of other songs or sounds. It’s generally fast-paced and energetic, with a driving beat that can make it perfect for dancing. But not all EDM is created equal — there are many different subgenres, each with its own distinct sound and purpose.
Here are some of the most popular EDM subgenres:
House: One of the earliest and most influential EDM genres, house music was created in Chicago in the 1980s. It typically features a 4/4 beat, synthesizers and drum machines.
Techno: A more experimental offshoot of house music, techno emerged in Detroit in the late ’80s. It’s often darker and more abstract than other types of EDM, with a minimalistic sound that relies heavily on machines.
Trance: Trance music is designed to induce a feeling of euphoria or heightened consciousness. It usually has a slower tempo than other types of EDM, with simple melodies that build up over time to create an uplifting feeling.
Dubstep: A relatively new genre that emerged in London in the early 2000s, dubstep is known for its heavy basslines and fractured beats. It often features half-time rhythms and syncopated drums.
No matter what type of EDM you prefer, there’s sure to be a song or artist that suits your taste. Check out our list of the top 10 EDM songs of 2017 to get started!
The History of Electronic Dance Music
The origins of electronic dance music can be traced back to the early 1920s, when composers began experimenting with electronic instruments. By the 1930s, electronic instruments were being used by composers such as Edgar Varese and Pierre Schaeffer to create new, unusual sounds. These early experiments laid the foundation for the genre of electronic dance music.
In the 1950s and 1960s, composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Gyorgy Ligeti began using electronic instruments to create avant-garde music. This type of music was often used in film soundtracks and had a strong influence on the development of electronic dance music.
In the 1970s, disco music became popular, and many disco songs featured synthesizers and other electronic instruments. This era also saw the development of new genres of electronic dance music, such as techno and house.
In the 1980s and 1990s, electronic dance music became increasingly popular, with genres such as trance and jungle becoming very popular. In the 2000s, EDM became one of the most popular genres of music in the world, with artists such as David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and Skrillex achieving mainstream success.
The Different Types of Electronic Dance Music
There are many different genres of electronic dance music (EDM), and each one has its own unique sound. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular EDM genres:
-House music is a genre that originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by a thumping, four-on-the-floor beat and often contains a melody or chord progression that is repeated throughout the song.
-Techno is a genre that also originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive, hypnotic sound with minimal melody or vocals.
-Trance is a genre that originated in the 1990s. It is characterized by a build-up of energy followed by a release, or “drop.” Trance tracks often have sweeping, ethereal melodies and driving, pulsating beats.
-Dubstep is a genre that originated in the early 2000s. It is characterized by heavy basslines and synths, as well as distorted or Amen breaks.
The Most Popular Electronic Dance Songs of 2017
As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look back at the most popular electronic dance songs of 2017. These songs represent the best of what the genre has to offer, and they reflect the trends that have been shaping the EDM world this year.
1. “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
2. “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee
3. “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay
4. “It Ain’t Me” by Selena Gomez and Kygo
5. “Stay” by Zedd and Alessia Cara
6. “Mi Gente” by J Balvin and Willy William
7. “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons
8. “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man
9. “What Lovers Do” by Maroon 5 and SZA
10. “Dirty Sexy Money” by David Guetta, Afrojack, and Charli XCX
How to Get Into Electronic Dance Music
electronic dance music (EDM), also known as dance music, club music, or simply dance, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. EDM is generally produced for playback by DJs who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix, by segueing from one recording to another.
Although EDM is largely produced for use by DJs, it has also been frequently used in film and television soundtracks, as well as in video games and advertisements.
