Top 20 Songs to Get Everyone on the Dance Floor
#20: “Club Can't Handle Me” (2010)
Flo Rida feat. David Guetta
Interview with Two Door Cinema Club
Flo Rida’s 2010 hit, “Club Can’t Handle Me” was the first single off the “Step Up 3D” movie soundtrack. And if you want to get people stepping up to the dance floor this is one tune you’ll want to add to your DJ playlist. It starts off slowly. However, once that dance beat hits, it’s hard to resist the urge of wanting to move along with it. This is one of those tracks that might make you want to jump or fist pump along the way. And as the title suggests, you’ll watch as everyone busts out their best moves in an attempt to show off why the club can’t handle them.
#19: “Macarena” (1995)
Los del Río (Bayside Boys remix)
The original version of the “Macarena” was released in 1993. But once the Bayside Boys put a high energy spin on the song, it became an international sensation. It was once impossible to escape the Macarena. After all, it spent an amazing 14 weeks atop the Billboard charts. A key aspect of the song’s success is that the dance is straightforward and easy to pick up. It’s yet another reason people can’t stay seated when this one comes on. And whether it be nostalgia or a genuine love for the song, the track still gets people dancing decades after its debut.
#18: “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (1987)
Whitney Houston
Top 20 Best Dance Songs of the 80s
Whitney Houston’s powerful voice can make us feel the highs and lows of love and inspire us. Oh, and she can also get us dancing with this incredible number. The song has an incredibly recognizable beginning that instantly gets us moving. From there, Houston sings her heart out over an extremely fun accompaniment. The best part of putting this track on at a party is that everyone will want to dance and sing at the exact same time. While we may not all be able to pull off the crimped hair or choreo from the video, we’ll always wanna feel the heat of this song.
#17: “Shake It Off” (2014)
Taylor Swift
In the music video for “Shake It Off”, Taylor swift pays homage to a number of dance styles. However, you don’t have to use a single one of them to move to this song. The track highly encourages you to follow the beat of your drum and to dance how you like. This feeling fits in perfectly with the song’s message of not listening to the haters and just being yourself. If you’re not in the mood to dance before this song goes on, it might just encourage you to shake those feelings off. Also, we don’t think you have to be a Swiftie to agree with Taylor and say that the song really does have a “sick beat”.
#16: “Last Dance” (1978)
Donna Summer
Top 10 Songs to Get Everyone On the Dance Floor
Since this song gets off to a relatively slow start, it might initially feel like only couples should come out to the dance floor to hold each other close. But that all changes at the one minute and 20 second mark. That’s when a quick and irresistible disco beat kicks in that invites any and all the people in the room to enjoy their night. The beat is ridiculously easy to move and boogie down to solo or with a partner. Once folks start feeling the groove, there’s a very good chance that “Last Dance” will actually be the first of many that night.
#15: “I Will Survive” (1978)
Gloria Gaynor
Top 10 Slow Dance Songs of All Time
While the Cake and Chantay Savage versions of this classic are impressive and unique, the Gloria Gaynor version is the one we’d request first at a dance party. The legendary artist seems to instantly command your attention with her opening lyrics about a romance gone wrong. It doesn’t take long before Gaynor’s show stopping singing is accompanied by a fantastic beat. Although the song deserves praise for how much it gets you moving, what really makes it a staple is the defiant and empowering lyrics that remind you of how strong you are. This take charge party anthem is the perfect track to make you feel like you can overcome any obstacle. And you won’t stop dancing either.
#14: “Y.M.C.A.” (1978)
Village People
Top 10 Hardest Songs to Dance To
Talk about getting everyone on the dance floor: In 2009, over 44,000 people in El Paso, Texas set a Guinness World Record when they all danced to a live performance of “Y.M.C.A.”. And any song good enough for 44,000 people is definitely good enough for us. This is another track where it seems like everyone in the world knows the iconic moves. It’s amazing to think that four little letters could hold such tremendous power over the dance floor. Outside of the lyrics, the track itself leaves room to take quick breathers before you really get down into the rhythm. Partygoers will need all the energy they can get to go all out to “Y.M.C.A.”
#13: “Hips Don't Lie” (2006)
Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean
“Hips Don’t Lie” was a massive hit back in the mid 2000. Not only did it go quadruple platinum, but it hit the number one spot on music charts around the world. If we’re being honest, we can’t all move our hips like Shakira. But we also can’t lie that we’ll get up and try whenever this song comes on. we have to get up and try. The energetic blend of latin and reggaeton influences make just listening to it a nigh impossible task once you hear Shakira’s voice kick off this song. No dance floor can stay empty when the speakers start pumping out “Hips Don’t Lie”.
#12: “Let's Get It Started” (2004)
Black Eyed Peas
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What better way to get the dancing started than with a song that literally demands it right from the beginning? Fergie’s opening solo instantly lets you know what you’re in for. Before long, every member of The Black Eyed Peas is reinforcing the fact that dancing is simply inevitable. This 2004 hit led the group to earn a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. And it is certain to win you fans in the room. Between the high energy performances on the track and a beat that doesn’t let up for a second, this track will make it hard to sit still. As the bass keeps running, we keep dancing.
#11: “Toxic” (2004)
Britney Spears
Britney Spears Toxic (MDT Lockdown Cover)
We won’t hide the fact that Britney Spears has always been able to get us on the dance floor. Trying to resist the power of “...Baby One More Time” is impossible. (xref) While we’ll always love that song, 2004’s “Toxic” might hold even more sway over us. Before Spears even starts singing on the track, the beat already has us under its spell. Once the confident lyrics come in and you start singing along, you’ll feel invincible. This edgy song’s high tempo will challenge you to keep up. Thankfully, you’ll be glad that you did. “Toxic” has the right ingredients to cure any dance party that’s slowed down.
#10: “1999” (1982)
Prince
Top 10 Choreographed Dance Music Videos of Each Year (1990-1999)
There’s an old joke that goes, ‘the past, present and future walk into a bar. It was tense’. Well, if the bar had been playing Prince’s “1999” all the dancing would’ve no doubt eased that tension. People were dancing to this song when it was released in 1982, it filled the dance floors in 1999, and decades later Prince’s end-of-the-century track is still getting everyone on their feet. Sometimes you just need to forget your worries and forget about the problems of the world. No matter what year it is, you just need to dance like it’s 1999.
#9: “Footloose” (1984)
Kenny Loggins
Once the beat kicks in, we can instantly picture Kevin Bacon moving and grooving solo. But don’t worry, it won’t take long before every single person within range of the speaker will cut loose. This song has all the perfect elements to guarantee a good time. First off, it’s a legendary pop culture staple. Secondly, it has a section that tells everyone exactly what to do next to keep it going. And the most important aspect of the song is that it is extremely fun. You don’t need your Sunday shoes or any fancy choreography to throw yourself into this one. As long as you dance, you’re doing it right.
#8: “Uptown Funk” (2014)
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
Given that the “Uptown Funk” video has been viewed on YouTube over 4.7 billion times, we’re definitely not alone in liking this song. It seems like no one can resist the golden combination of a Mark Ronson beat and another excellent Bruno Mars vocal performance. Even if you didn’t know what “Uptown Funk” was, you wanted to be part of it as soon as this track got going. Somehow the random hallelujahs and cocky expressions work well together. On top of that, the chorus is so danceable that we start moving everytime we even think about it. If you don’t believe us, Just watch!
#7: “Just Dance” (2008)
Lady Gaga
Top 10 Best Dance Songs of All Time
Sometimes we just need a little direction. And when you have a crowd looking for someone to tell them what to do, there’s no one better to command the dancing troops than Lady Gaga. It’s amazing to think that this club hit was her first official single. Right out of the gate, Lady Gaga proved that she knows exactly what you need to get on the floor. It also helps that the extremely relatable song captures all the excitement and chaos of a night out on the town. While the song encourages people to pick up a few beverages, you don’t need a drink to enjoy this Gaga classic.
#6: “Hey Ya!” (2003)
Outkast
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“Outkast” doesn’t give you a second to think about whether you’re about to dance or not. Once the first countdown is over, there’s virtually no way that you’ll remain stationary for this one. While the lyrics of “Hey Ya” are not that encouraging, the cheery performance and tremendous beat will keep you distracted from the content. Everyone in the crowd will ignore the words and just shake, shake, shake it like a polaroid picture. It really says something that even younger people who might not know what a polaroid is still can’t resist this Outkast track. Hey, we’re just being honest here.
#5: “Crazy in Love” (2003)
Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Izzo Blues Coalition The Messiah Will Come Again Shine On You Crazy Diamond Intro
We liked this song back in 2003 and we have to admit we’re still crazy in love with it today. So, if you, or any DJ wants to get people moving, this song is guaranteed to get everyone on their feet. If anyone is able to resist Beyoncé’s opening verses, those stragglers will eventually bust out their moves once Jay-Z joins the party. The iconic uh-oh sections also encourage people to put everything they’ve got into their moves and leave everything on the dance floor. “Crazy in Love” is the perfect way to kick a party into a higher level. And if you want to stick with Queen B, throwing on “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”will keep the dance floor bumping.
#4: “Get Down Tonight” (1975)
KC and the Sunshine Band
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The lyrics of “Get Down Tonight” are not exactly subtle about what they’re encouraging the adults in the room to do. However, KC and the Sunshine band’s hit is so funky and fun that the partygoers are still guaranteed to have a good time without leaving the dance floor. The disco beat still feels as fresh today as it was in 1975. And while some songs slow down as they reach the end, the outro will still get you moving at full speed before the track concludes. No matter what time of day it is, “Get Down Tonight” will have the dance floor filled.
#3: “Dancing Queen” (1976)
ABBA
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“Dancing Queen” was the only number one hit ABBA’s ever had in the United States and it’s also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Its achievements have made it a favorite of the people and the critics that's certain to get the dance party started. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be royalty to get on the dance floor when this track starts playing. For those who don’t think they’re very good dancers, ABBA’s confidence-boosting lyrics should help. They tell you that “You can dance, You can jive and have the time of your life”. While you’re moving to this track, you’ll believe you can do anything on that dance floor.
#2: “Stayin' Alive” (1977)
Bee Gees
Every day of the week is the perfect day for this hit song from the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack. In the opening scene of the movie, “Staying Alive” provided John Travolta with a little extra pep in his step. So it’s fitting that it will put an extra kick in any party guest not already on the dance floor. Just be warned that you’re likely to see a bunch of classic disco arm rolls and points. Fortunately, “Stayin' Alive” encourages the dance floor to be a judgment free zone as far as we’re concerned. And if there happen to be any folks who still aren’t sure what they should be doing, bring the Bee Gees back to tell them, “You Should Be Dancing”(xref).
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Party Rock Anthem” (2011), LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
Everybody Is Just Gonna Have a Good Time With This One
“Canned Heat” (1999), Jamiroquai
While Using Napoleon Dynamite’s Moves Are Optional, Dancing Is Not
“In da Club” (2003), 50 Cent
You Don’t Even Have To Be in the Club To Get People Dancing With This Track
“Get the Party Started” (2001), Pink
This Song Definitely Lives Up to its Name
“U Can't Touch This” (1990), MC Hammer
We Have to Thank the Artist For Blessing Us With this Party Hit
#1: “Beat It” (1983)
Michael Jackson
Honestly, you could probably just throw on the entire “Thriller” album and you’d be set for about 42 minutes. But there’s still a couple of standout tracks that are necessary for a party. If you want to see everyone’s moonwalks and out-of-this-world moves you need “Billie Jean”. But we argue that the most essential party track is “Beat It”. The lyrics pump you up with a story of fighting against the odds and standing up for yourself. By the time you reach the chorus, you’re 100 percent ready to show how funky and strong your moves are. The song’s high energy, iconic status and perfect composition make it the gold standard of dance hits. There’s a reason why it’s been undefeated for so long.
