The Top 10 Techno Songs of All Time

A countdown of the top 10 techno songs of all time, including tracks by Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, and more.

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 sub-genres have been built.

In 2010, Pitchfork Media included Aphex Twin’s “Windowlicker” and “Come to Daddy” in their list of the 200 best songs of the 1990s. In 2012, fact magazine ranked Underworld’s “Born Slippy .NUXX” as the greatest dance record of all time. In 2013, Rolling Stone placed Richie Hawtin and Carl Craig’s “Planet E” at number 10 on their list of the 50 greatest dance songs of all time.

This list comprises the top 10 techno songs of all time according to me.

Daft Punk- One More Time

Daft Punk’s “One More Time” was released in 2000 as part of the album Discovery. The song was a commercial success, reaching number one in several countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Chemical Brothers- Galvanize

The Chemical Brothers are an English electronic music duo composed of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, originating in Manchester in 1989. Along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, and other acts, they are credited with helping to bring the big beat genre to mainstream popularity in the 1990s. In the UK, they have had six number one singles on the UK Singles Chart and eight number one albums on the UK Albums Chart.

“Galvanize” is a song by English electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers, featuring vocals from Q-Tip. It was released as a single on 4 January 2005 and peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart.

Fatboy Slim- Right Here, Right Now

“Right Here, Right Now” is a song by British big beat musician Fatboy Slim. It was released on 19 October 1998 as the second single from his second studio album, You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby. The single peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, number five in Ireland and number six in Australia. In the United States, it charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 89 and also peaked at number two on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.

The Prodigy- Breathe

Number one on our list of the top 10 techno songs of all time is “Breathe” by The Prodigy. This was the lead single from The Prodigy’s third album, The Fat of the Land, and is one of their most iconic and well-known tracks. “Breathe” combines elements of breakbeat, techno, and drum and bass to create a truly unique and infectious sound. The song was a massive commercial success, reaching number one in various countries around the world, including the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. It is still widely considered to be one of the greatest techno songs of all time.

Underworld- Born Slippy

This track is an iconic work of art, and was released in 1996 as part of the soundtrack to the film Trainspotting. It was a massive hit in clubs all over the world, and is still a firm favorite among techno fans today. The track is characterized by its pounding bassline and haunting vocals, which are provided by Karl Hyde.

Plastikman- Spastik

“Spastik” is a techno song by Canadian electronic music producer Plastikman (aka Richie Hawtin). The track was released as a single in 1994 and became a club hit, especially in Europe. The song has been described as “one of the most important techno tracks of all time” and has been included in several compilations.

Aphex Twin- Windowlicker

1. Aphex Twin- Windowlicker- This techno song is the epitome of what techno is all about. It is fast paced and will get your heart racing.
2. The Prodigy- Breathe- This song is a classic techno song that is sure to get you moving. It has a great beat and is very catchy.
3. Daft Punk- Around the World- This song is another great techno song that is catchy and will get you moving.
4. Fatboy Slim- Praise You- This song is a great example of what Fatboy Slim can do with techno. It is a great dance song that will get you moving.
5. The Chemical Brothers- Block Rockin’ Beats- This song is a classic from The Chemical Brothers and is a great example of their work in the genre of techno.
6. Moby- Go- This song was one of the first songs to really bring techno to the mainstream and it is still a great tune today.
7. Underworld- Born Slippy NUXX- Thissong became an instant classic when it was used in the movie Trainspotting and it remains a great listen today.
8. Leftfield- Phat Planet- This song was another track that helped bring techno to the mainstream and it remains a favorite among fans of the genre today.
9. Orbital- Halcyon + On + On– This tune was used in the film The Matrix and instantly became a favorite among fans of both the film and the genre of techno itself

Leftfield- Phat Planet

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. “Leftfield” by Simon Gray, is just an all around great techno song. It has a great melody, and the beat is relentless. It’s one of those songs that you can listen to over and over again, and never get tired of it.

Orbital- Halcyon

Formed in 1989 by brothers Paul and Phil Hartnoll, Orbital were one of the defining acts of the early ’90s rave explosion. Hailing from Sevenoaks in Kent, the duo — who took their name from their local leisure center — began making music together after being inspired by a friend’s Casio keyboard. After perfecting their skills on various home computer systems, they made their recorded debut in 1991 with the three-track Chime EP on FFRR’s Pump Panel subsidiary. The EP was an instant club hit, leading to a succession of similarly successful singles — “Never,” “Belfast,” “Halcyon” — and the duo’s 1992 eponymous full-length debut album, which entered the U.K. charts at number seven.