Every kind of popular music has a dance style that was invented for it. Country music has square dancing, jazz has swing dancing, and hip-hop has break dancing. Everyone needs to boogie down once in a while, no matter who they are, and you need the best dance songs to have a great party. We’ll be exploring the best party songs in the list below.
1. “Le Freak” – Chic
The disco tune of disco tunes, “Le Freak” is a classic of solid rhythm section groove and catchy vocals. It was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers, the core members of Chic, in 1978, with lead vocals sung by Alfa Anderson and Diva Gray. The song was released by Atlantic Records as the A-side of a single, paired with the B-side “Savoir Faire.”
“Le Freak” reached Billboard magazine’s number one ranking on the Hot 100 record chart for 1979.
Next: The best songs from the ’70s (top 1970s songs list)
2. “Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees
This song is a disco classic and universally recognizable pop hit that’s been a radio and pop culture staple for decades. “Stayin’ Alive” was written and recorded in 1977 and released as the A-side of a single along with “If I Can’t Have You” as a B-side.
On the Billboard Hot 100 list, it reached a maximum chart position of #4 for the year 1978. The song holds the 59th position on Billboard‘s all-time Hot 100 chart, which spans from 1958 to 2018.
Next: The best disco songs ever recorded (our picks)
3. “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
It’s all in the title—this song is always guaranteed to bring good vibes and make people dance together. It came out in 2013 and was released by Back Lot Music, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. The song was written and performed by Pharrell Williams, and it had an infectious music video to go with it that had everyone dancing constantly in the summer of 2013.
“Happy” reached the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 in 2014.
Next: The best songs about being happy ever recorded
4. “Y.M.C.A.” – The Village People
Another disco classic with a melody and dance associated with it that’s ingrained in pop culture memory, Y.M.C.A is the quintessential dance song.
The song was written by producer and Village People founder Jacques Morali and Village People member Victor Willis. Its associated music video features the members of the Village People in their signature costumes, and the song reached the 54th position on the Billboard Top 200 list for the years 1977 and 1978.
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5. “Crazy In Love” – Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
A pop hit straight out of the early 2000s that still holds its own, the song has an earworm of a hook sang by Beyoncé and a verse from the legendary rapper who was her collaborator (and future husband) as of 2003, Jay-Z.
The 2003 party banger was released as the A-side of a single with “Summertime” as the B-side. Beyoncé produced and wrote the song along with Rich Harrison and Shawn Carter. Entertainment Weekly gave “Crazy in Love” the 47th position on their list of the 100 Greatest Summer Songs.
Next: The best R&B love songs ever recorded (our picks)
6. “Electric Boogie” – Marcia Griffiths
A dance-pop hit from a more innocent era where “it’s electric!” could be the main refrain of one of the best party songs, “Electric Boogie” still holds its own with its timeless groove. What’s really kept the song alive in popular memory is its association with the “electric boogaloo” line dance that took off in the early 2000s and has remained popular.
“Electric Boogie” was recorded and released in 1980 on the Island label, a Universal Music Group company.
Next: The best songs from the ’80s (top 1980s songs list)
7. “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” – Sly and the Family Stone
This funky disco anthem has a bold and carefree message about liberation and being yourself that hearkens back to the 70s. The song’s title has a cheeky spelling, which tells you something about the band’s ethos and fun-loving attitude.
The song was released in 1969 as a B-side along with the A-side “Everybody is a Star.” It was composed and produced by Sly Stone and put out on the Epic record label. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for the year 1970.
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8. “It’s Like That” – Run DMC
A party banger that pioneered the mixing of Hip-Hop and the sparser and more abrasive house and techno styles of dance music. The two genres were always deeply related, of course, but this song put elements from both together in a way that hadn’t been tried before, and to great success.
The song was originally recorded in 1983 and re-recorded in 1997. It reached the 15th position on Billboard’s US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for 1983.
Next: The best hip hop songs of all time (a list of our top rap song choices)
9. “Cotton Eye Joe” – Rednex
![Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe (Official Music Video) [HD] - RednexMusic com](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mOYZaiDZ7BM/0.jpg)
Like the styling of the band’s name suggests, this deeply weird but also highly popular dance tune mixes country and hillbilly aesthetics with techno grooves. The song takes a traditional song, complete with a fiddle break, and puts it to a techno beat. To complicate the song’s origin even more, it was written by a Swedish artist and it’s classified as Eurodance.
The song was recorded in 1994 and it reached #51 on MTV Dance’s 100 Biggest 90’s Dance Anthems of all Time in 2001.
Next: The greatest songs from the 1990s (top ’90s songs list)
10. “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” – Daft Punk
A techno-banger that’s got a great and memorable music video to go with it, “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” has a message about consumerism and technology to offer, but it’s also one of the best party songs ever.
It came out in 2001 on the Daft Punk album Discovery, and it took the 11th position on Billboard magazine’s list of Hot Dance/Electronic Songs in 2021, showing how great of a song it is for managing to stay relevant for over 20 years.
Next: Our list of the best music videos of all time
11. “Gangnam Style” – PSY
There was a period of time in 2012 when every phone and laptop screen had “Gangam Style” playing on it 24/7. While PSY himself is a rapper more than a singer, the song marked the beginning of the K-pop invasion of the 2010s. It was recorded in 2011 as a single under the label YG. The song’s associated dance took off in popularity around the time of the release of “Gangnam Style,” and the dance involves impersonating a horse while swinging a pretend lasso.
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12. “I Wanna Be Your Lover” – Prince
A sensitive funk song in falsetto, “I Wanna Be Your Lover” is sung from the point of view of a man who wants to steal a woman away from her current lover and feels like the object of his affections is treating him like a child. The song was released in 1979 on the Warner Brothers label and recorded at Alpha Studios in Burbank, CA. “I Wanna Be Your Lover” reached the 95th position on Billboard’s US Top Pop Singles for the years 1979 and 1980.
13. “Big Time Sensuality” – Björk
A sensitive but thumping track, “Big Time Sensuality” talks about Björk’s relationship with her friend and longtime collaborator, Nelle Hooper, who also helped produce and write the song. It came out in 1993 on the One Little Indian label and was recorded at Olympia Studios in London, UK. The song took the number one spot on Billboard‘s US Dance Club Songs for the year 1994.
14. “Sandstorm” – Darude
A Finnish house track that performed well in its own right as a house music hit in Helsinki dance clubs, this song had a second life as an internet meme. The song is only an instrumental, but there’s a goofy drama to it that makes it the perfect fodder for internet humor. The song was released in 1999 and created by house producer Ville Virtanen.
The Recording Industry Association of America gave the song a platinum certification in 2020.
Next: The best 2000s dance songs (our list of picks)
15. “Pump up the Jam” – Technotronic
This track is just electronic drums, bass, and vocals, but it’s more than the sum of its parts. It has a hypnotic beat that’s sure to get you on the dance floor, whether you like it or not. The song was released in 1989 and was produced by Thomas De Quincey, a Belgian house music producer. The song took the 13th position on Billboard’s US Hot 100 list for 1990.
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16. “Around The World” – Daft Punk
“Around The World” is also the name of a hip-gyrating dance move, and that’s exactly what the song makes you want to do. It has a hypnotic beat and a mesmerizing robot voice repeating the words “around the world.” The song was released in 1997 by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk. Like many of Daft Punk’s songs, it’s remained relevant, and the song took the 12th spot on a 2021 Billboard list of the hottest dance and electronic songs.
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17. “Uptown Funk” – Bruno Mars
A song that’s designed to bring you carefree, out-on-the-town vibes straight from NYC, “Uptown Funk” seems like it was created in a lab to be a super-hit. Producer Mark Ronson collaborated with pop sensation Bruno Mars to create one of the ultimate summer songs in history. It came out in 2014 on the Columbia record label and has received numerous accolades from UK pop music institutions (Mark Ronson hails from the UK) and USA-based ones.
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18. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee
One of the first Spanish-only songs to top the USA charts, “Despacito” helped start the wave of reggaeton music in the USA, and made everyone in the USA realize that the reggaeton beat could make some of the best dance songs. It came out in 2017 on the album Vida and had Daddy Yankee in the lead role of the song and main performer in the music video. “Despacito” reached number 9 on Billboard‘s US Hot 100 list for the whole decade of the 2010s.
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19. “About Damn Time” – Lizzo
![Lizzo - About Damn Time [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IXXxciRUMzE/0.jpg)
Even though Lizzo hasn’t been in the music industry for long, we can tell just from this pre-released single that it’s going to rock-pop music to the core in the 2020s. The song has been a staple of dance Tik Toks and the internet jumped all over this track. It came out in March, 2022 on the Atlantic record label, and it was written by professional songwriters Blake Slatkin, Malcom Mclaren, and Eric Frederic, among others.
20. “Break the Rules” – Charli XCX
![Charli XCX - Break The Rules [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ABhDiXbUaBE/0.jpg)
This song captures the youthful feeling of cutting loose and disobeying authority, totally throwing caution to the wind and dancing with abandon, and the music video features Charli XCS partying in a school bus. It was released in 2014 on the Atlantic record label and was written by Charli XCX along with an array of professional songwriters. The song reached the 91st position on the Billboard magazine Hot 100 songs list for 2014 and 2015.
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21. “No No No” – Destiny’s Child
This sultry yet danceable party track blends the lush sounds of classic soul with the sensuality of contemporary R&B. It was featured on the first album by the R&B group, Destiny’s Child, in 1997. The song was written and produced by Vincent Herbert and Mary Brown, and since the song’s beat samples a song by Barry White, “Strange Games and Things,” White was given a songwriting credit.
The Recording Industry Association of America gave the song a platinum certification in 1998.
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22. “Survivor” – Destiny’s Child
Beyoncé wrote the Dance-pop bop “Survivor” before she had begun her solo career with help from producer Anthony Dent and Beyoncé’s manager and father, Mathew Knowles. Around the time of the son’s composition, the group Destiny’s Child had gone through some personnel changes and lost three members, inviting a comparison to the game show Survivor and supplying the song’s title.
The RIAA gave the song a platinum certification in 2020.
Next: The absolute best R&B songs from the 2000s (our list)
23. “Bailando” – Enrique Iglesias
The title literally means “dancing” in Spanish, the song is a celebration on many levels, and the music video is a must-watch. It features a formation of flamenco dancers facing off in a dance competition with a phalanx of soccer players in some amazing choreography. The song has versions in many different languages, but the original was recorded and released in Spanish in 2014, reaching number one on Billboard’s list of Hot Latin Songs.
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24. “Juice” – Lizzo
Critics have called Lizzo’s “Juice” an anthem of self-esteem, which is an apt name. Its lyrics of empowerment work well over a neo-disco old-school groove. The song came out in 2019 both as a single and on the album Cuz I Love You. It was written by Lizzo (a.k.a. Melissa Jefferson) along with Eric Frederic and Theron Thomas with production help from Ricky Reed. The song hit number 49 on Billboard‘s Best Songs of 2019 list.
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25. “Kiss Me More” – Doja Cat ft. SZA
A sugary, breezy throwback groove that you can’t get out of your head, “Kiss Me More” became a Tik Tok staple, which is a testament to how danceable it is. It came out in 2021 on the album Planet Her and was pre-released as a single in the same year. “Kiss Me More” was recorded in 2020 and written by Amala Diamini, Solana Rowe, and Stephen Kipner among others. The song hit number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 list for 2021 and 2022.
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26. “Boys” – Charli XCX
![Charli XCX - Boys [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mPRy1B4t5YA/0.jpg)
Charli XCX is great for an ultra-sweet electronic bubblegum pop romp, and this song epitomizes that style. Each vocal repetition of the word “boys” is punctuated by a video-game-esque dinging sound. The song was recorded in 2017 and released on the Asylum Records and Atlantic Records UK label. Cass Lowe and Jerker Hanson produced the song, and it reached number 35 on Billboard‘s Best Songs of 2017 list.
27. “Emotion” – Destiny’s Child
Destiny’s Child was always true to their roots in classic soul music, and this song is a cover of a classic soul tune from the late 70s written by British soul musicians Robin and Barry Gibb. The Destin’s Child version of the song came out in 2001 and was produced by Beyoncé Knowles, Mark Feist, and Beyoncé’s father and producer Mathew Knowles. Billboard gave the song the 84th slot in its US Mainstream Top 40 list for 2001.
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28. “Groove is in the Heart” – Deee-Lite
A minimalist house-dance groove that builds its magic slowly, incorporating more and more samples over the course of the song until the chorus finally hits with a delightful punch. The song was released as a single in 1990 along with the B-side “What Is Love?”. Dmitri Brill (a.k.a. DJ Brill) composed the song with samples from Herbie Hancock and Johnathan Davis among others. The song hit the 91st tank on Billboard’s US Hot 100 chart in 1991.
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29. “Partition” – Beyoncé
You can’t describe this song without noting the overall sexiness of the song’s lyrics and vibe, not to mention the revealing performance by Beyoncé in the music video. The song has more than that—there’s a total groove shift between girly pop (a la Beyoncé’s Destiny’s Child era) and raunchy Southern hip-hop in the middle of the song. The song was recorded in 2013 and released in 2014 and had help from a host of celebrities in its production, including Justin Timberlake.
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30. “Need to Know” – Doja Cat
This song puts Doja Cat’s otherworldly talent on display—she’s known to perform without autotune—and the song gets an otherworldly music video to match, complete with Blade Runner aesthetics, an appearance from Grimes, and alien costumes. This sexy pop-trap dance tune was recorded and released in 2021 and written by Doja Cat, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 list for 2021 and 2022.
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31. “You Right” – Doja Cat & The Weeknd
A collaboration between two artists who long wanted to work together, “You Right” is a product of The Weeknd and Doja Cat’s creativity. The song was released in 2021 on the album Planet Her on the Kemosabe label. Doja Cat, also known as Amala Dlamini, composed the song with songwriting help from Abel Tesfaye and Lukasz Gottwald. The song reached number 5 on Billboard’s Mainstream Top 40 list for 2021 and 2022.
32. “3am (Pull Up)” – Charli XCX
![Charli XCX - 3am (Pull Up) feat. MØ [Official Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wI1GcWaZELQ/0.jpg)
This bubblegum pop song has world music influences, and critics categorize it as tropical house. It also has reggae and dancehall influences. Its lyrics describe the feeling of being stuck in a friends-with-benefits relationship. The song was recorded and released in 2017 for the album Number 1 Angel, put out on the Atlantic label. It was composed by Charli XCX (Charlotte Aitchson) along with Karen Marie Ørsted, A.G. Cook, and Finn Keane.
33. “Say So” – Doja Cat
A neo-disco throwback with an O.G. groove that still has sharp and relevant pop production and sensibilities, this song is an anthem about instant connection and flirtation. It came out in 2020 on the album Hot Pink, though it was recorded and written in 2019 and released as a single ahead of the album. “Say So” was written by Doja Cat, veteran songwriter Lukasz Gottwald, and Lydia Asrat. It hit number 6 on Billboard‘s list of The 100 Best Songs of 2020.
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34. “Don’t Hurt Yourself” – Beyoncé
An unlikely collaboration between a titan of indie blues-rock, Jack White, and a soulful R&B singing legend, Beyoncé, this track proves that all American music comes from the same roots. The song was released in 2016 and recorded at Jungle Studios in New York City. The track was composed by Jack White, Beyoncé, Diana Gordon, and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. It reached number 28 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 list for 2016.
35. “Single Ladies” – Beyoncé
This bouncy dance song’s memorable vocal hook has a telling lyric: “if you like it then you better put a ring on it.” It’s really a line directed to a lover with an unwillingness to commit. The song was released in 2008 on the Columbia label and recorded at The Boom Boom Room Studio in Burbank, CA. Beyoncé composed the song with help from Christopher “Tricky” Stewart and Terius “The Dream” Nash. It reached number 75 on Billboard’s US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs of 2008.
36. “Streets” – Doja Cat
A song that accumulated more attention on the internet as time went on, “Streets” is something of a trap ballad, with a beat that’s distinctly trap-influenced but a songwriting direction that’s ballad-based. It was released in 2021 on the album Hot Pink and recorded at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles. Doja Cat composed the tune with help from Darius Logan, David Sprecher, and Lydia Asrat, among others. The song reached number 67 on the US Hot 100 list for 2021 by Billboard.
37. “Diva” – Beyoncé
With powerful and hard-hitting bass and syncopated, delayed trap beats, Diva is an expression of Beyoncé’s alter ego, Sasha Fierce. “Diva” came out in 2009 and was recorded at three different studios in Georgia: Bangladesh Studios, Patchwerk Studios, and Silent Sound Studios. The song was composed by Shondrae Crawford, Sean Garrett, and of course, Beyoncé. It reached number 19 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 list in 2009 and 2010.
38. “Levels” – Avicii
Progressive house is a high-energy, super loud, constantly building form of dance music. Avicii’s songs constantly find new ways to build tension and release it while also building more tension at the same time, which makes “Levels” an appropriate title for this song. It was released in 2011 on the Universal Music Group label and Tim Berling (a.k.a. Avicii) began composing the song in 2010. “Levels” reached the 32nd spot on Billboard‘s US Dance Club Songs list for 2012.
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39. “Clarity” – DJ Zedd
This dance tune manages to be gentle, heartfelt, and nostalgic while also having a driving beat and a vibe that’s perfect for the dance floor. German-Russian house producer DJ Zedd wrote and recorded this tune in 2012 and released it on the Interscope record label. The song got all the way up to number 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 end-of-year song list for 2013.
40. “Bills, Bills, Bills” – Destiny’s Child
This R&B song complains about and makes fun of broke guys. Its music video features the members of Destiny’s Child hanging out in a hair salon dishing about the disappointing men in their lives. It was composed by songwriter Kevin Briggs along with the members of Destiny’s Child, including Beyoncé. Recorded in 1998, “Bills, Bills, Bills” was released by Columbia records in 1999 on the album The Writing’s on the Wall. It received a platinum certification from the RIAA in 2020.
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41. “Everytime We Touch” – Cascada
Eurodance is known for its high-energy, constantly building tracks, and this song is no exception. It’s got a pounding groove and a soaring, infectious melody. The song was recorded in 2014 and composed by songwriters Stuart Mackillop, Maggie Reilly, and Peter Ricksavy. “Everytime We Touch” was released in 2005 on the Robbins label and the song made it to the 31st place on the US Hot 100 Songs list by Billboard.
42. “Jumpin’ Jumpin’” – Destiny’s Child
A bouncy, sexy, catchy, and raunchy R&B number, this song’s about letting yourself get excited to have a night out at the club with attractive members of the opposite sex, even when you have a significant other. The song was recorded at Studio 365 in New York City and released in 2000 on the album The Writing’s on the Wall. It was written by Beyoncé along with songwriters Chad Elliot and Jovonn Alexander, hitting number 13 on the US Hot 100 Chart by Billboard.
43. “One More Time” – Daft Punk
This song is a great example of how electronic music producers can take a little slice, or sample, of another song and turn it into a completely new song. The song takes a sample from the 1979 disco tune “More Spell on You” and manages to turn one measure of music from it into a full-fledged party banger whose energy builds masterfully. It came out in 1998 and was released on the Virgin label. It reached number 82 on Billboard‘s US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs of 2001.
44. “Freakum Dress” – Beyoncé
“Freakum Dress” demonstrates Beyoncé’s growth as an artist from her Destiny’s Child days into her more experimental and unique solo career with its angular melody and cool instrumentation and arrangement. It was released and recorded in 2006 and put out on the Columbia label. Beyoncé wrote the song with production and songwriting help from Rich Harrison and Makeba Riddick, and it reached the 25th position on Billboard‘s Bubbling Under Hot 100 list of 2007.
45. “Silhouettes” – Avicii
This driving dance tune features inspiring, uplifting, and dramatic vocals from singer Salem Al Fakir, and its music video is about carrying yourself through dark times. “Silhouettes” was recorded in 2011 and released on the Universal Music label in 2012. Avicii had songwriting help from the featured vocalist, Salem AL Fakir, and Arash Pournourri. The song took the 23rd spot on the US Dance/Mix Show Airplay list by Billboard in 2012.
46. “Get Me Bodied” – Beyoncé
A bouncy reggae and dancehall-influenced track that’s all about Beyoncé going out for a night at the club and trying to look as good as possible to find a man and… “get bodied.” The song was recorded in 2006 at Sony Music Studios in New York City, NY, and released on the Columbia label in 2007. Beyoncé had some help from producers Kasseem Dean and Sean Garrett on this track. It reached number 10 on the Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart from 2007 through 2013.
47. “Bad” – David Guetta
This hard-driving dance track uses a common vocal conceit of electronic music where the vocalist’s voice is sped up and sounds high-pitched, and it’s all about delighting in being naughty and breaking the rules. “Bad” was recorded and released in 2014 on the Parlophone label, and David Guetta composed the song with help from Woulter Jansen, Sjouerd Jansen, Giorgio Tuinfort, and others. Billboard ranked it 24th on their US Hot Dance/Electronic songs list of 2014.
48. “SuperLove” – Charli XCX
![Charli XCX - SuperLove [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pPWcX-16A9Y/0.jpg)
Sometimes love is a dangerous, intoxicating, destructive thing, all while still being beautiful and totally irresistible. That’s what the lo-fi electropop tune “SuperLove” is all about. This song was released in 2013 on the Asylum label and recorded in the same year. Charli XCX produced the song with help from Patrick Berger, and it charted in the UK, ranking in at number 62 on the UK Singles list by UK music rating company OCC.
49. “Daddy Lessons” – Beyoncé
This song represents Beyoncé’s creative exploration in her solo career with the album Lemonade, when she started to incorporate more old-school acoustic arrangements and styles like jazz, still retaining the pop sensibility that made her famous. “Daddy Lessons” came out in 2016 on the magnum opus album Lemonade whose recording process began in 2014. The song took the 41st spot in Billboard’s US Hot 100 list for 2016.
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50. “Never Be Like You” – Flume ft. kai
Deep and sensitive lyrics sung by Canadian singer-songwriter Kai along with heart-wrenching synth chord changes are juxtaposed with hard-hitting trap drumbeats. This sensitive dance tune was recorded in 2015 and released in 2016 on the Future Classic label. It was composed by Harley Streten, Alessia De Gasperis-Brigante, and Geoffery Patrick Earley. It reached number 39 on Billboard‘s US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in 2016.
51. “Bootylicious” – Destiny’s Child
Pushing the envelope on the issue of female sexual expression, “Bootylicious” kicked off the trend of female artists being more openly sexual in their music in the 2000s and 2010s—and it’s also a certified funk-R&B banger. It was recorded in 2001 at SugarHill Studios in Houston, TX as well as Sound on Sound Studios in New York City, NY. Beyoncé wrote the song with help from Charlie Skilling and Falonte Moore. It charted at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of 2001.
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52. “Digital Love” – Daft Punk
This melancholy and romantic (yet fun) and danceable tune is based on a sample of a tune that matches the song’s subject matter—”I Love You More” by George Duke. The song was released as a single with the song “Aerodynamite” as a B-Side in 2001. The record came out on the Virgin label, and Daft Punk had help from Carlos Sosa in the lyrics department with this song. “Digital Love” reached number 9 on the US Dance Club Songs chart by Billboard.
Next: The best love songs ever recorded (top romantic songs of all time)
53. “The Business” – Tiësto
A pounding beat and dramatic vocals make this song one of the best party songs to come out of Europe, and the song’s music video features a strange and compelling premise of a dead man being reanimated and falling in love with a woman. Tjis Verwest, (a.k.a. Tiësto) composed the song with help from James Bell, Julia Karlsson, and Anton Rundberg. “The Business” made it to number 94 on the Billboard US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs of 2020.
54. “Give Up the Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)” – Parliament
An intricately constructed tune with three distinct repeating sections that are equally timeless and recognizable with tons of soul and musicianship put into it. There’s serious talent on display, but you can tell that the band isn’t taking themselves too seriously. The song was recorded in 1975 and released in 1976 on the Casablanca label. Jerome Bailey, Bootsy Collins, and George Clinton composed the timeless funk tune, which made Billboard‘s list of the 30 best funk songs ever.
55. “Waterloo” – ABBA
This is a joyful love song and rollicking dance tune that uses the Battle of Waterloo as a motif to describe a love relationship. It was released as a single on the Atlantic label in 1974 as an A-side paired with the B-side “Honey Honey.” The song was recorded a year earlier in 1973 at Metronome studios in Stockholm, Sweden. Benny Anderson, Stig Anderson, and Björn Ulvaeus composed the song, which hit number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.
56. “Honey, Honey” – ABBA
A singsong, breezy dance number that makes you feel like everything is going to be all right. The vocal harmonies on “Honey Honey” are some of the best that ABBA ever recorded. The song was released on the album Waterloo and was recorded in 1974 at Metronome Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. The core members of ABBA all composed and produced the song together, and it hit number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974.
57. “Gecko” – Oliver Heldens ft. Becky Hill
![Oliver Heldens X Becky Hill - Gecko (Overdrive) [Radio Edit]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Rt25H3OqT5g/0.jpg)
This hard-hitting dance tune has a wild and deeply strange, yet hilarious, music video to go with it that may or may not involve both sex and tentacles. The song is categorized by critics as belonging to the “future house” genre, which takes elements of deep house and UK garage music and fuses them together. It came out in 2014 on the Musical Freedom label and charted at number 33 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs list by Billboard.
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58. “Hold Up” – Beyoncé
Another piece of Beyoncé’s magnum opus and crowning artistic achievement, Lemonade, “Hold Up” is a reggae tune that more than holds up to other songs in the reggae and dancehall genres and has a rich look into Beyoncé’s inner world. It was recorded in 2014 at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles, CA, and released in 2016. Other songwriters involved include Thomas Pentz and Erza Koenig. The song took the 48th position on Billboard‘s US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in 2016.
Next: The greatest reggae songs ever recorded (our list)
59. “Cinema” – Benny Benassi
Cool electronic music effects like vocoder-style modulation and sound panning make this track a fun listen along with the motif of watching a lover like they’re a movie. “Cinema” made a notable appearance in the video game Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit. This song was recorded in 2010 and released in 2011. Benassi had songwriting help from Alle Benassi and Gary Baker, and “Cinema” hit number 15 on the Billboard US Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart in 2011.
60. “Bangarang” – Skrillex
![SKRILLEX - Bangarang feat. Sirah [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YJVmu6yttiw/0.jpg)
When a lot of people first heard “Bangarang,” they didn’t know that the sounds being made were even possible to create. There’s a dizzying array of bleeps, bloops, and crashes that make for an explosive dance track. “Bangarang” came out in 2012 on the Big Beat label. It was produced and recorded solely by Skrillex, otherwise known as Sonny Moore. “Bangarang” hit number 72 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart in 2012.
61. “Don’t Let Me Down” – The Chainsmokers
This song features an ultra-cool resonant guitar sound created by plugging a guitar into a computer and letting the software work its magic. It’s also got vocals from the singer Daya that complement the groove nicely and convey the longing of the song’s lyrics. “Don’t Let Me Down” was recorded in 2015 and released by Columbia records in 2016. It hit number 3 on Billboard’s US Mainstream Top 40 chart for the year 2016.
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62. “Promises” – NERO
A mashup of dubstep and pop music with head-bobbing basslines and head-spinning synth lines creates a perfect backdrop for the lead singer’s confessional, melancholy lyrics. This tune came out in 2011 on the Mercury record label. Skrillex remixed the track with the help of Nero in 2013, for which they both won a Grammy for Best Remixed Recording. “Promises” hit the 70th spot on the Billboard US Hot 100 in 2011 and 2012.
63. “Pursuit of Happiness” – Kid Cudi Ft. MGMT
Here’s a party anthem with a bit of self-awareness. This song has all the trappings of a song you can party all night with a great beat and catchy melody, but the lyrics are all about someone’s life falling apart. It was recorded in 2009 and put out on the Universal record label. Kid Cudi wrote and produced the song with the help of Evan Mast and Mike Stroud. It hit number 59 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songs for the years 2010 to 2014.
64. “If I Were a Boy” – Beyoncé
In a meditation on a relationship gone bad, the female singer of the R&B pop ballad “If I Were a Boy” claims that she’d be a better man than her ex-lover because of his faults. The song came out in 2008 on the Columbia Records label and was recorded the same year at Roc the Mic Studios in New York City, NY. The song was originally written by Brittany Jean Carlson and Beyoncé asked for permission to cover the song. It charted at number 6 on the Billboard US Pop 100 for 2008 and 2009.
65. “Lose My Breath” – Destiny’s Child
This track features a militaristic, pulsing groove with various sound effects in the mix and a verse by Jaz-Z. The song came out in 2004 and was released by Columbia Records. Destiny’s Child, at that time comprised of only three members compared to its original four, recorded the track at Sony Studios in New York City, NY. The song charted at number 58 on Billboard’s US Mainstream Top 40 chart for the year 2004.
66. “Animals” – Martin Garrix
A pioneering track of the “big house” genre, “Animals” was produced by a prodigy of house music, DJ Martin Garrix, who was only a teenager when he scored a bit hit with the song. The song was released in 2013 when Martin Garrix (a.k.a. Martjin Garritsen) was only 17 years old. The song uses a minimalist, abrasive beat that borrows from various other house and dance hits that Garritsen was exposed to as a boy. The song reached number 25 on Billboard‘s US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs in 2013.
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67. “Pepas” – Farruko
“Anthem” is the best word to describe this Puerto Rican pop hit. The song had an unusual writing process that involved collective singing improvisation in a Colombian guaracha style. The song came out in 2021 on the album La 167 and was remixed by dance legend David Guetta. It was released on the Sony Music record label and it hit number 25 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart by Billboard.
68. “If I Lose Myself” – Alesso
An anthemic and dramatic pop tune whose lyrics could apply to many things but just so happen to be about the fear of flying. The song came out in 2013 on the album Native from the Interscope record label. It was composed by Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzie, Zach Filkins and Benjamin Levin of OneRepublic. It took the 74th spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 Song chart for the years 2013 and 2014.
Next: The best songs about flying of all time (top picks list)
69. “We Found Love” – Rihanna
This song has an ultra-catchy hook in the lyric “we found love in a hopeless place” and a music video associated with it about a troubled couple managing to love each other despite personal struggles. The Europop dance tune was recorded in 2011 at Fly Eye Studios and released in the same year on the Def Jam label. It took the 69th-highest spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart for 2011.
70. “In da Getto” – Skrillex
A song that’s designed to keep your body grooving through a night out on the dance floor with its funky reggaeton beat. Skrillex collaborated with Colombian singer J Balvin to record the song in 2021, and it was released as part of the album Jose. Producer Tainy also offered input on this track, which was released on the Universal Latin label. The song took the 17th spot on the US Hot Latin Songs chart by Billboard.
Next: The top reggaeton songs of all time
71. “Lasting Lover” – James Arthur, Sigala
A synth-driven, melodic, and danceable track that includes a sample from indie rock band MGMT’s song “Time to Pretend.” It came out as a single in 2020, and UK-based DJ Sigala linked up with new collaborator, James Arthur, to record the track. “Lasting Lover” was released on the Ministry of Sound label. Sigala and Arthur had songwriting help from Scottish artist Lewis Capaldi on this track, which reached number 16 on the Billboard US Hot Dance/Electronic charts of 2020.
72. “Turn Down for What” – DJ Snake
Rarely is a song so powerful both musically and memetically that it spawns (or at least popularizes) a new common phrase, but that’s just what this track did with its titular phrase. The song’s drop includes a vocal from Lil’ John that cements the phrase in your mind, and combined with the hilarious music video featuring DJ snake, it’s certainly a memorable song. It came out in 2013 and hit number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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73. “In the Navy” – Village People
An upbeat and joyful pop romp that’s also a not-so-subtle nod to the US Navy’s anecdotal reputation for homosexuality. The song came out in 1979 but spent one year in the closet since its recording in 1978. It was released on the Casablanca label on the album Go West and composed by Village People founder Jacques Morali along with Henri Belolo and Victor Willis. The song peaked at number 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 1979.
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74. “Good Times” – Chic
A true disco classic with one of the baddest basslines in the history of music and some super-slick guitar strumming from Nile Rodgers, this song has a little-realized lyrical agenda. It makes references to songs that were popular during the great depression as a way of commenting on the bad economic conditions of the time the song was released, in 1979. “Good Times” hit number 20 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart for 1979, and it was released on the Atlantic record label.
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75. “Alive” – Krewella
Heady and dramatic lyrics are juxtaposed with ultra-intense Europop beats in this dance club staple. Its accompanying music video features members of the band Krewella walking through a barren wasteland and destroying things with blunt objects. The song was released as part of the album Play Hard in 2012 and was written by Jahan Yousaf, Yasmine Yousaf, Kris Trindl, Nathan Lim, and Jake Udell. It charted in the US at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2013.
76. “Never Can Say Goodbye” – Gloria Gaynor
Originally a Jackson 5 tune, Gloria Gaynor took the song and funked it up even more, turning it into one of the greatest dance songs ever. It was released on an album of the same name as the song along with a few other covers of Jackson 5 tunes, like “Reach Out, I’ll Be There.” The album Never Can Say Goodbye was produced by Paul Leka, Tony Bongiovi, Meco Monardo, and Jay Ellis. The song “Never Can Say Goodbye” done by Gloria Gaynor peaked at 71 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart.
77. “Forget Me Nots” – Patrice Rushen
This is the song where post-disco star Patrice Rushen found her sound, and the approach she took to the work she did on this song influenced the rest of her career. The song’s propulsive drum groove and bassline were what Rushen worked with on every other record she produced after “Forget Me Nots.” It was released on the album Straight From the Heart in 1982 on the Elektra label with production help from Freddie Washington and Terri McFadden, charting at number 23 on the 1982 US Billboard Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Songs list.
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78. “Got to Be Real” – Cheryl Lynn
This disco dance banger is rivaled only by songs like “Good Times” for the title of the best disco song, and it has one of the catchiest basslines ever. Its vocal line is unparalleled and pushes it over the edge, making it one of the best songs to party to. It was released in 1978 on the album Cherlyn Lynn from Columbia records and recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, CA. It peaked on the charts at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on Billboard‘s Hot Soul Singles chart for 1978 and 1979.
79. “Let The Music Play” – Barry White
The title track from an album of the same name, this R&B anthem had a larger-than-life arrangement with a huge band backing up Barry White’s sweeping vocals. Its lyrics are about dancing all the way through the night in a club with your lover and not caring how late it gets. It came out in 1976 and was released on the 20th Century record label. Barry White also did the production work for the song, which reached number 15 on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart.
80. “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” – ABBA
This ABBA song is about wanting to meet a man at the dance club and staying up all night to find one, and it’s got a super catchy and anthemic melody. The original version by ABBA spawned many covers and remixes, which is a testament to how solid of a dance tune it is. ABBA released the song in 1979 as a single with “The King Has Lost His Crown” as a B-side, and also on the compilation album Greatest Hits Volume 2. It was written by Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus and charted at number 4 on Billboard’s US Dance Club Songs as recently as 2018 in a re-recorded version by Cher.
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81. “SOS” – ABBA
The members of ABBA describe this song as the quintessential ABBA song, which describes it pretty well. It’s got a verse that’s full of mournful tension and sadness that goes right into a chorus that’s joyful, danceable, funky, and has great harmonies. The song was released as a single in 1975 with “Man in the Middle” as the B-Side. It was released on the Polar label in Sweden and the Atlantic label in the US. The song marked a turning point in ABBA’s career, pulling them out of a commercial slump. It reached 140 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975.
82. “Fresh” – Kool & the Gang
This song takes the funky rhythms and bluesy melodies of the 70s and brings them into the 80s with a squared-off drum groove and a music video that features kooky costumes dripping with 80s glitz. The song was released as a single in 1984 with the B-side “In The Heart” on the Mercury record label. It was written by Rober Earl Bell, Ronald Nathan Bell, James L Bonneford, and George Melvin, among others. It took the 9th position on the Billboard US Hot 100 chart for R&B and Dance in 1984.
83. “Bug-A-Boo” – Destiny’s Child
This song may not have gotten the airplay of other Destiny’s Child songs, but it had a lot of popularity on BET and MTV. The music video associated with it is all about the “bug a boo” of unwanted attention, featuring the babes of Destiny’s Child being chased around by some guys in a red convertible. The song was released as a single along with “So Good” in 1999 on the Columbia record label. The members of Destiny’s Child had some songwriting help from Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs on this one. The song reached the 65th position on the Billboard US Rhythmic chart.
84. “Mamma Mia” – ABBA
In Italian, “Mamma Mia!” means roughly the same thing as “my word!” or “my, my,” though it literally means “my mother!” The song features a marimba which adds a fun musical texture and rhythm that your ears can latch onto to this glam-rock masterpiece. It was released on the album ABBA in 1975 and recorded the same year at Metronome Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. Atlantic Records put out the song which was written by the core members of ABBA. The song hit number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100 songs chart for 1975 through 1977.
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85. “Hot Stuff” – Diana Summer
Diana Summer delivers a feisty, spunky vocal performance in this number. “Hot Stuff” has a robust, funky R&B feel that backs up Summer’s performance perfectly. It was released as a single with “Journey to the Center of the Heart” as a B-side in 1979 as well as on the album Bad Girls. It was recorded as also in 1979 at Rusk Sound Studio in Los Angeles, CA. Summer created the song with the help of songwriters Pete Bellotte, Harold Faltermeyer, and Keith Forsey. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979.
86. “I’m Coming Out” – Diana Ross
Famously sampled by Biggie Smalls, this funky party bop has a great guitar and bass groove and a message of self-empowerment. The song was produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, the two core members of Chic. Nile Rodgers got the idea for the song when he was out in the town one night and noticed several drag queens dressed as Diana Ross. It came out in 1980 on the album Diana as well as in a single format on the Motown label. The song reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles of 1980.
87. “Lean On” – Major Lazer, DJ Snake
An anthemic dance party banger straight out of the mid-2010s, this song features a music video that was filmed in India. It’s a crossover between Europop and the Indian pop music style bhangra with vocals by the Danish pop singer MØ. The song came out on the Mad Decent record label in 2015 and had help from producer Diplo. It charted at number 23 on Billboard’s US Rhythmic list in 2015.
88. “Daddy Cool” – Boney M.
A dance-funk disco bop that’s tons of fun created by the Euro-Caribbean band Boney M. The song was released as a single with “No Woman, No Cry” as the B-side and also on the album Take The Heat Off, both in 1976. It came out on the Hansa Records label and was produced by Boney M. singer and frontman Frank Farian. It reached number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.
89. “Strawberry Letter 23” – The Brothers Johnson
A sensitive yet super funky tune with a slow and dramatic build from the beginning to the end, the Brothers Johnson version of “Strawberry Letter 23” is a love song with funk to boot. It was originally composed by Shuggie Otis in 1971, but the Brothers Johnson recorded it in 1977 with production help from legendary producer Quincy Jones. Their version of the song received a platinum certification from the RIAA and reached 5th place on the Billboard Hot 100.
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90. “Jungle Boogie” – Kool and the Gang
This timeless dance groove epitomizes the word “funk” in every way with its infectious groove and low-down, scatting vocal lines. The song was recorded by Kool and the Gang in 1973 and released the same year on the Mercury label as part of the album Wild and Peaceful. The song reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1974.
91. “Hasta Mañana” – ABBA
The song’s title means “until tomorrow” in Spanish, and it’s a classic ABBA dramatic disco love song. It was released in 1974 on the album Waterloo and recorded in Stockholm, Sweden at Metronome Studios. The core members of ABBA composed it together, and the song had a long composition phase because it was hard to work out how the vocal part should be sung.
92. “Toxic” – Britney Spears
A dramatic and hypnotic pop-dance tune that plays to the allure of a relationship with a self-serving yet irresistible lover, “Toxic” is one of the best party songs of the early 2000s. The song came out in 2004 and was recorded at Record Plant Studios in Holywood, CA as well as Murlyn Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. The song has received tons of awards including a Grammy.
Next: Greatest songs about toxic relationships (abusive love songs)
93. “Feel So Close” – Calvin Harris
This song drew DJ and producer Calvin Harris to sing live again because of the way the voice part of the song worked, and it’s a good thing it did—he’s got a great voice. It came out in 2011 on the Columbia label and was recorded starting in 2010. “Feel so Close” came in at number one on the US Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart for 2012.
94. “The Twist” – Chubby Checker
This old-school dance tune deserves a mention on any list of the best dance tunes of all time because it inspired one of the biggest dance crazes ever in the US. Chubby checker wrote the song after witnessing some teenagers dance the titular dance, and he put out a song about it with a classic rock and roll backbeat. The song came out in 1960 and took the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 of 1960 through 1962.
95. “Circus” – Britney Spears
This song is a classic, dramatic Britney Spears tune about having the world’s attention set on you like it’s all just a big circus. It came out in 2008 on the Jive label and was recorded starting in 2006. Britney had songwriting help from Lukasz Gottwald, Claude Kelly, and production help from Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco. “Circus” reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009.
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96. “Oops!… I Did It Again” – Britney Spears
In this song about being a teasing lover, Britney is saying “Oops” about breaking her lover’s heart and toying around. The song is something of a teen anthem like many of Britney’s songs, and it definitely belongs on a list of the top dance songs. The song came out in 2000 and was recorded in 1999 at Cheiron Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. It was written by Max Martin and Rami Yacoub, charting at 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs of 2000.
97. “U Are My High” – DJ Snake
This remix of a classic 2000s hit adds a trap beat and cool lo-fi-sounding production to the original. The song came out in 2021 and was written by William Grigahicine, Charlie Wilson, and Ronnie Wilson. DJ Snake collaborated on the song’s production with Jeremie Mondon, and the song charted at number 24 on the Billboard US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs of 2021.
98. “Bang-a-Boomerang” – ABBA
A song with a quaint message about how love always comes back to you when you give it to someone else, “Bang-a-Boomerang is a baroque pop glam-rock classic. It was recorded in 1974 and composed by the core members of ABBA. Swedish pop duo Svenne and Lotta also recorded a famous version of the song. It came out on the Polar label and charted at number 94 on Australia’s Kent Music Report chart book for 1970 to 1992.
99. “Passion” – The Flirts
An ultra-80s dance groove with a seductive synth line and organ lick that makes you want to move your body. The song was released in 1982 and belongs to a niche genre known as Hi-NRG which refers to a certain class of 80s dance music. Producer Bobby Orlando collaborated with a trio of New York singers to create the track which charted at number 21 on the Billboard US Dance Club Songs list.
Next: Greatest songs to dance to from the 80s
100. “I’ll Be Good To You” – The Brothers Johnson
This heartfelt and funky R&B tune is a result of a spontaneous collaboration between music production legend Quincy Jones and George and Louis Johnson of The Brothers Johnson. It’s about deciding to commit to one woman and being good to her. It was released in 1976 on the A&M label and charted at number 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100 of 1976.
101. “Two of Hearts” – Stacey Q
Another Hi-NRG tune that’s got everything you associate with 80s dance music—pounding drum machine grooves, a sultry female vocalist, and great synth hooks. The song came out in 1986 on the Atlantic records label and was recorded in 1985 at Formula 1 Studios in La Habra, CA. It reached number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.
Different kinds of dance grooves go in and out of style all the time, but the new style always has an element of the old in it. Disco replaced rock and then got replaced by house and techno music, which gave way to rap. Nowadays, dance songs that sound like disco are back in style on popular social media platforms.
Dance music has changed over the years, but there’s one thing that’s common in all the best party songs and great styles of music: groove. From techno, disco, rock and roll, all the way back to swing music, the common denominator between the best songs is a great beat. It doesn’t matter if you play it with drums, bass, guitar, a drum machine, or a tuba—the best dance songs have a beat that makes you want to move your body.
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As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.
