Dance music has been around since the days long before music recording began. It took on new meaning in the 1970′s when nightclubs like Studio 54 became part of the mainstream, influencing trends in pop culture such as fashion and music.
At just about any dance class, show, wedding or nightclub there are a handful of songs that cross genres in their appeal to the masses and their ability to make everyone want to get up and dance. These are some of the dance songs (listed from oldest to most recent) that topped DJ playlists as well as the charts in total plays and downloads all around the world since the start of the new millennium.
20. Music – Madonna
This electro-pop tune topped the charts in 2000 and marked a departure from earlier styles that kept this Material Girl on top for decades before many of her counterparts were even born!
19. All for You – Janet Jackson
At the tender age of seven, this pop princess began working along side her legendary brothers of the The Jackson 5. After starring in various television shows like Fame, Good Times and Diff’rent Strokes in her youth, she began living up to the family name by delivering hit after hit song in the 80′s and 90′s. In 2001 she held the No. 1 spot for 7 weeks on the Top 100 chart with this sample of “The Glow of Love” by Change feat. Luther Vandross.
18. I’m Real – Jennifer Lopez feat. Ja Rule
This sample of James Browns’ “I’m Real” caused a little commotion with two different versions released. The first featured a typical JLo video dance-break and the second featured rappers Ja Rule and Irv Gotti with a slower tempo, smooth R&B melody. It topped the charts for 5 weeks in 2001.
17. Hot in Herre – Nelly
This song dominated the charts and dance floors for 7 weeks in 2002. Saint Luis rapper Nelly exploded on the music and dance scene at the start of the new millennium with his first two albums spawning several dance hits.
16. In Da Club – 50 Cent
In 2003 you could not go to a club or party anywhere without hearing the line “Go Shorty It’s Your Birthday” rapped by large crowds of people running to the dance floor. Nothing less than an anthem of its time, this Grammy nominated blockbuster hit was No. 1 for 9 weeks and topped Rolling Stone’s best songs of the decade list.
15. Crazy in Love – Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Beyoncé’s debut solo single featured frequently imitated dance sequences in its music video and was recognized as one of the most performed songs of 2004 by The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. It spent 8 weeks on top of the charts and set the ground work for future viral choreography like Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” in 2008.
14. Yeah – Usher feat. Lil John and Ludacris
Having released his first album at the young age of 14, street dance maven Usher became synonymous with breaking records at an early age. He had the most number of #1 songs of the 2000′s, and is known for his electric dance moves just as much as his silky voice. This held the No. 1 spot for 12 weeks and was the most played song of 2004 according to Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems.
13. Gold Digger – Kanye West feat. Jaime Foxx
Featuring Academy Award winning actor, comedian and singer Jaime Foxx, this huge hit containing an interpolation of Ray Charles’ “I Gotta Woman”, held the record for fastest selling digital downloads and most digital downloads in a week at that time. This rap / R&B combo remained on top of the pop music charts for 10 weeks in 2005.
12. Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland
Coming from the polarizing boy band N’Sync where he was known as much for his dancing as his sultry falsetto, Justin Timberlake scored his first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Best Dance Recording at the 2007 Grammy Awards.
11. Umbrella – Rhianna feat. Jay-Z
Love it or hate it the repetitious “ella, ella” hook in this song really lingers in your mind. This single broke countless records and was ranked number one on the 10 Best Singles of 2007 by Entertainment Weekly, while Rolling Stone and Time listed the song at No. 3 on the 100 Best Songs of 2007.
10. Low – FloRida feat. T-Pain
This massive international hit was just one of many for newcomer Flo Rida. A top request in dance fitness classes and clubs around the world, this fun rap holds records for the longest running number-one single of 2008 in the US., has been certified 7× Platinum by the RIAA, and was the most downloaded single of the 2000′s decade, (measured by paid digital downloads).
9. Calabria – EnurDanish producers Rune and Johannes Torpe gave us this infectious dance track that was originally released in 2003 but didn’t top the dance and pop charts until years later. Featuring lyrics sung in Jamaican Patois, one can’t help but move to this groovy beat.
8. Just Dance – Lady Gaga
Since she burst on the scene Lady Gaga has given us a number of popular dance songs but this one takes top marks not only for its place at number 1 but also for its appropriate title.
7. Closer – Ne Yo
Having written songs for Celine Dione, Pitbull, Rhianna, Jay-Z and other notable artists, Ne Yo scored another big hit for himself with this song from his third album Year of the Gentleman. The song was nominated for “Best dancing in a video” at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and the album topped the dance charts.
6. Boom Boom Pow – The Black Eyed Peas
The song remained at No. 1 for 12 weeks until being pushed aside by the groups other mega hit “I Gotta Feeling”. With over 7,000,000 downloads at the end of 2013, it is the ninth most downloaded song of all time and a pretty tough song to sit still through!
5. I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) – Pitbull
Although Pitbull had released albums years prior, this was his first single to gain international success and reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Mixing rap with spicy Latin beats has earned him hit after hit on the charts as well as in Zumba® classes worldwide.
4. Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO
As the son and grandson of legendary Motown Music founder Berry Gordy, the duo that make up group LMFAO had some big shoes to fill. In a short time they have won many awards and produced several popular hits, a few of which have sparked international dance crazes like The Shuffle. Worldwide, Party Rock Anthem was the third best-selling digital single of 2011 and stayed at No. 1 for six weeks.
3. Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguillera
This dance-pop song’s lyrics are about a guy’s ability to impress a female with his dance moves (something that all of us who dance can fully indetify with). In 2011 this song topped the charts not only in the U.S., but in eighteen other countries!
2. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke feat. T.I., and Pharrell Whilliams
Called the anthem of the year by many music critics, this catchy tune seemed to be playing everywhere. Receiving extra attention for its controversial music video, it held the #1 spot on the charts for 12 consecutive weeks, making it the longest running #1 single of 2013. It was also the second best-selling single of 2013 in the U.S.
1. Get Lucky – Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
This funky collaboration between French house music duo Daft Punk, Hip-Hop Producer Pharell Williams and their inspiration Nile Rodgers (formerly of the group Chic), are a match made in music heaven. This single reached the top of charts at the same time as Williams’ Blurred Lines, making him only the second artist to simultaneously hold the top two spots on the Top 100 charts to date. It also broke records having the highest number of plays for a song in one day on Spotify and earned the guys Grammy Awards in 2014.
Whether or not these songs end up on your own list, you have likely heard many of them at a party, sports event or on your favorite music channel, and they are sure to have your head bobbing and feet tapping to their infectious rhythms.
