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Dance party songs are designed for joy and movement. Whether you’re getting ready for a big night out or dancing with friends in the club, this popular style of music is full of energy and made for fun. Dance music has always been popular, with its propulsive rhythms and timeless sounds appealing to pretty much everyone.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best dance party songs ever made.
How We Chose These Party Anthems
When choosing these tracks, we took lots of things into consideration. From commercial sales to cultural impact, from energy to influence, each track brings something special to the dance floor. If you’re looking for the best songs to get people dancing, you’re in the right place.
Top Dance Floor Hits Across Genres
Let’s review the best dance party songs across music genres. From pop hits to EDM party anthems, Latin tunes, and all-time greats, these songs are some of the best ever produced:
Pop & R&B Party
Modern pop and R&B songs are physical and sexy. With tight percussion, deep bass, and memorable vocal hooks, this popular style of music is also incredibly catchy. If you want to go beyond Usher’s greatest hits, these three records should definitely get your attention:
Soul II Soul — Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)
Back in the late 1980s, Soul II Soul was a London sound system moving dancers with reggae and soul beats. Led by Jazzie B and Nellee Hooper, they made organic dance music with style and grace. Like most of their records, “Back to Life” was originally made for Soul II Soul’s parties alone. The quality of this track made everyone pay attention, however, and it reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and Top 5 on the Hot 100.
Donna Summer — I Feel Love
Back in 1977, the incredible Donna Summer made one of the best dance floor hits of all time. “I Feel Love” is a synth-pop jam with disco and R&B elements, which defined the future sound of electronic dance music. This song was co-written and produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, and released on Summer’s fifth studio album, I Remember Yesterday. Over the years, “I Feel Love” has influenced everyone from David Bowie and Prince to Whitney Houston and Brian Eno.
Destiny’s Child — Independent Women, Pt. 1
During the early noughties, “Independent Women, Pt. 1” by Destiny’s Child was absolutely everywhere. From the radio to the club and beyond, you couldn’t escape the catchy chorus and excitable dance beats. This track was released for the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack, and it featured the one and only Beyoncé Knowles with her original group. This dance/pop marvel is one of the best karaoke songs for women of all time.
EDM & Electronic Dance Anthems
Electronic dance music is dedicated to the dance floor, with producers using catchy hooks and electronic wizardry to excite DJs and get people moving. These popular club songs represent three very different takes on the genre:
Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers — Get Lucky
On this track, the incredible Daft Punk works with talented vocalist Pharrell Williams and iconic bassist Nile Rodgers. This was the lead single from their fourth studio album, Random Access Memories, which was released in 2013. “Get Lucky” is a fun-filled, house-fueled track inspired by disco and funk. While it moves like an electronic dance anthem, it merges synths and drum machines with sexy vocals and live bass grooves.
Martin Garrix — Animals
Released in 2013, “Animals” by Martin Garrix is a modern dance classic. This track embodies the vibe of early EDM, with a synth line so catchy you hear people chanting it. While this EDM anthem has no lyrics, it certainly gets stuck in your head. Amazingly, Martin Garrix was only 18 when he released this song, which turned him into a worldwide superstar.
The KLF — 3 A.M. Eternal
In 1989, during the second summer of love, the mighty KLF transcended the underground/dance pop divide. The UK’s favorite acid house duo comprised of Bill Drummond and Jimi Cauty, who made some of the most colorful and original electronic music around. “3 A.M. Eternal” is one of the crowning achievements of the first rave era, and it sounds just as good today as it did back then.
Latin & Global Dance Vibes
Latin music and other global beats bring something unique to the world of dance music. Whether it’s traditional rhythms, Spanish vocals, or sexy dance moves, this music is always contagious. These three Latin tracks are some of the best songs to get people dancing:
Black Eyed Peas and Ozuna — Mamacita
On this track, America’s Black Eyed Peas makes magic with Puerto Rican singer Ozuna. “Mamacita” was released in 2020 on the studio album Translation. This song sampled Madonna’s Latin pop song “La Isla Bonita,” keeping the note patterns but changing the tones, like much of Latin, reggaeton, and Arabic music.
Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine — Conga
The energetic track “Conga” was released in 1985 on the album Primitive Love, the second English-language record by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine. Not only did it become a massive worldwide hit, but it also kick-started the Latin dance revolution that’s still going strong to this day. The single reached the Top 10 in various countries, and it quickly became Gloria Estefan’s signature song.
Farruko — Pepas
“Pepas” is a guaracha song by Puerto Rican rapper/singer Farruko. This style of music comes from Medellin in Colombia, with producers adding festive trumpets, tambora drums, and accordions to highly produced electronic sounds. This song was released in 2021 on the studio album La 167, and it topped Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart for seven weeks.
Classic Dance Tracks Everyone Loves
Throwback dance party classics are famous for getting people up and about. Regardless of your generation, these timeless dance party songs are sure to get you in the mood. Whether you like classic disco, energetic R&B, or synth-pop with soul, the following cross-generational hits never fail to fill the dance floor:
Soft Cell — Tainted Love
Back in 1981, the duo Marc Almond and David Ball released “Tainted Love” as Soft Cell. This track is a solid version of the Gloria Jones R&B stomper, and it’s become more famous than the original. “Tainted Love” combines Northern soul with synth-pop sounds and sixties vibes, and it sounds absolutely massive on and off the dance floor. This is one of the most timeless dance songs ever made.
Village People — Y.M.C.A.
The six members of the Village People took on popular gay stereotypes, dressing up to sing catchy disco anthems with subtext and style. “Y.M.C.A.” was their biggest hit, and it has taken on a life of its own since 1978. This track is about gay cruising, and it’s also used as a campaign song by the US President. If you’re looking for songs that make you dance, this is the perfect choice.
Bee Gees — Stayin’ Alive
This 1977 classic by the Bee Gees is made for the dance floor. “Stayin’ Alive” is a multi-platinum disco anthem about surviving the mean streets of New York, and it has an insanely infectious groove. “Stayin’ Alive” was immortalized on the soundtrack to the John Travolta film Saturday Night Fever.
Deee-Lite — Groove Is in the Heart
Some dance party songs have a perfect place in musical history. Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is in the Heart” is one example, providing the perfect soundtrack to 1990. It was the lead single from their first album, World Clique, and it quickly became one of the greatest modern dance music hits. “Groove Is in the Heart” is also remembered for its colorful, psychedelic ’60s-themed music video. Feel-good party songs like this don’t come around that often.
Michael Jackson — Get on the Floor
This wonderful track comes from Michael Jackson’s 1979 album, Off the Wall. As you might expect, given the name, “Get on the Floor” is made for dancing and having a great time. It features elements of disco, funk, and R&B, which Jackson combines in the perfect sonic recipe. Other great tracks on this album include “Rock with You,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” and the title track “Off the Wall.”
Beyoncé — Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
This song by American singer Beyoncé comes from her third studio album, I Am…Sasha Fierce. Released in 2008, it exposes modern men and their unwillingness to commit. This track is set in a club, with the female character listening to party music and celebrating her single status. To this day, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” is a staple for ladies’ nights and dance floor fun.
Final thoughts
Modern pop music is energetic, catchy, and — above all else — physical. Whether you’re in the gym, on the dance floor, or in the bedroom, dance music brings people together and sets the mood for celebration. Next time you’re making a party music playlist, the tracks on this list are the perfect place to start. If you’re looking for something recent to spice up your playlist, you can also review the best dance songs now.