The Top Electronic Dance Music Songs of 1994

Looking for the best EDM songs of 1994? Look no further than this list of the top tunes from that year. From classics like The Prodigy’s “Smack My Bitch Up” to lesser-known gems like L.A. Style’s “I’m Raving,” these are the tracks that defined the genre.

What is Electronic Dance Music?

Electronic dance music is a genre of music that is often played in nightclubs, festivals, and concerts. The music is composed of electronically produced beats and synth sounds. It often has a fast tempo and repetitive rhythms.

The Top Electronic Dance Music Songs of 1994

The year 1994 was an important one for electronic dance music. This was the year that saw the birth of some of the genre’s most iconic tracks. In no particular order, here are the top electronic dance music songs of 1994.

#10- Daft Punk- “Da Funk”

“Da Funk” is a song by French electronic music duo Daft Punk, released as a single on 7 October 1996. It also appeared on their debut album Homework in 1997. The song peaked at number 86 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 15 on the US dance chart..

#9- The Prodigy- “No Good (Start the Dance)”

The Prodigy’s “No Good (Start the Dance)” was one of the biggest dance hits of 1994. The track was a massive success in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, “No Good (Start the Dance)” peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song is widely considered to be one of The Prodigy’s best and most iconic tunes.

#8- Leftfield- “Release the Pressure”

Leftfield’s “Release the Pressure” was released in 1994 and peaked at #8 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was one of the first jungle tracks to gain mainstream success.

#7- Underworld- “Rez”

“Rez” is a song by English rock band Underworld, released as the lead single from their second album, Dubnobasswithmyheadman. The song peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1994.

#6- Orbital- “Belfast”

On “Belfast,” Orbital invoke the city’s religious and political strife with a memorable melody and some of their most moving vocals. “Belfast”‘s entrancing arranged by Paul Hartnoll uses a simple piano melody, acid bassline, and breakbeat drums. The song is Orbital’s highest-charting single in the UK, peaking at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart.

#5- The Chemical Brothers- “Leave Home”

The Chemical Brothers’ sophomore album, Dig Your Own Hole, is full of big, brawling hits, but “Leave Home” is the one that stands out the most. It’s a perfect melding of their aggressive style with a more pop sensibility, resulting in a song that’s as catchy as it is punishing.

#4- Aphex Twin- “Selected Ambient Works 85-92”

The album that put Aphex Twin on the map and announced him as a serious visionary artist, Selected Ambient Works 85-92 is Electronic music at its most evocative and transportive. Mixing ethereal pads, aquatic melodies, and simple yet otherworldly rhythms, the record completely subverted listener’s expectations of what dance music could be, with rewarding results.

#3- Portishead- “Dummy”

Portishead’s “Dummy” is one of the most atmospheric and unforgettable albums of the ’90s. The band’s debut is a hazy, dreamlike work that touches on many different styles of music including dub, trip-hop, and ’70s rock. “Dummy” features some of Portishead’s most iconic tracks like “Glory Box” and “Sour Times.”

#2- Massive Attack- “Protection”

“Protection” is a song by English trip hop group Massive Attack, released as the lead single from their second studio album, No Protection (1995). The song features guest vocals from Tracey Thorn of Everything but the Girl. It was released on 21 August 1995 as a CD single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. In North America, it was released as a maxi-single on 29 August 1995 by Virgin Records America. “Protection” received positive reviews from critics and won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.

#1- Moby- “Everything Is Wrong”

1994 was a great year for electronic dance music, and Moby’s “Everything Is Wrong” was one of the best tracks of the year. The haunting, slow-burning track builds from a simple, ethereal synth line into a huge crescendo of acid house chords and swelling strings. It’s a perfect example of the moody, introspective side of ’90s dance music.