Specifically, let's dance to tunes from this century! Sorry, Bowie.
Don't give me that look. Anyway, today we're going to count down the Top 10 dance songs of the 21st century! Why? Because many view the 2000s and beyond to be a bastardization of previous music genres. Hell, even Wikipedia describes it as "nondescript". That seems a little harsh, don't you think? I mean, are the 2000s really that bad?
Okay, point taken. No, wait! You can do that with any decade of music! Here, here's the 90's summed up:
So there. It may be scientifically proven that one bad apple spoils the whole bunch, but it's not metaphorically true. The 2000s have a lot of great music, and you know what? If I have to go through every genre in this century to prove it to you, then I'll do it! Starting with dance.
10. "Marry the Night" - Lady Gaga (2011)
Lady Gaga at her core is a pop queen. So it's only natural that at least one of her songs had to make it onto this list. "Marry the Night" is one of Gaga's most spectacular tunes, with the synth buildup to the fiery chorus. Just makes you want to get out and marry the night. Wonder how that would work, exactly?
9. "Hips Don't Lie" - Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean (2006)
As far as sexy dance jams go, this is one of the sexiest, not least because of Shakira backing up her lyrics with her moves in the video.
This song was freakin' everywhere in 2006. I mean that literally; it was the best-selling single of the decade worldwide. And it's easy to see why. With Latin music gaining ground in the late 90's, the world was waiting for something like this to become the worldwide magnum opus. With Wyclef Jean and Shakira on the job, you know it'll get done. Shakira, Shakira!
8. "Stronger" - Britney Spears (2001)
From her first big hit, you knew that Britney Spears wasn't about to go away anytime soon. This was a pop presence that was here to stay. And no song projects more self-confidence from her than this dance jam, "Stronger". You know, some people say that Britney Spears didn't deserve her fame, but regardless of whether you thought she had talent or not, she had presence, damnit! And I'll greatly take this over some of her other female pop counterparts at the time.
7. "We No Speak Americano" - Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP (2010)
Say what you want about how mindblowingly stupid this song is; it's a definite earworm. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the beat and the lyrics professing how the singer doesn't speak "American". Perhaps they don't insert "bald eagle" every third word to get the right accent. In any case, the song is a goofy yet charming dance tune.
6. "Toxic" - Britney Spears (2004)
Yeah, I might be a Britney Spears fan. So what? If millions of tweenage girls from the 2000s can like her, then so can I! But rest assured that this is the second and last song to make the list. I'm not sure if it's my favourite Spears song in general, but it's definitely her danciest. The fast-paced beat, coupled with Bollywood strings and syrupy vocals to guarantee the song lodged in your head fore the rest of the day. The chorus is definitely one of Britney's highlights as a musician.
5. "California Gurls" - Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg (2010)
Well, what can I say? Like many good dance songs, the beat hooks me. And God damn, that is a catchy chorus. Sure, the entire song is insanely stupid, like a lot of Katy's music, but at least it's fun to listen to and even sing along to. Of course, being neither from California nor a gurl, I'm kind of out of my depth. Good thing Snoop has a rap verse to bring it all together.
Or maybe "fade into the background to further showcase Katy Perry", but either way, it all bizarrely works for me. It's a cheery, poppy tune that you can't resist bobbing your head to. Or tapping your toe to; I don't judge.
4. "Idealistic" - Digitalism (2007)
I had the idea that I would put this song high on my list. It's pretty different from almost everything on this list so far, as the other songs, while dancey, at least had a pop element to them that made them go fairly mainstream. Not here. This is straight-up techno, and you can leave your lyrics at the door, thank you very much.
Not that this song doesn't have lyrics, but they are definitely not the focal point of this song. The focal points are the beat and synths. And while it tends to all sound the same if you listen for it for too long, you couldn't really call it "boring" either. This track is full of danceable, clubbing energy that plants an idea in your head to dance. Or fist-pump. Again, no judging.
3. "Bad Boys" - Alexandra Burke ft. Flo Rida (2010)
This is not only a great song to dance to, this is also just a great pop song in general. Again, looove that chorus. So freakin' catchy. Far be it from me to praise Flo Rida, and I won't. Because he isn't doing anything different, and he's definitely not the star of this track, as is the case with every track he's on. It's Alexandra Burke and her great voice. Never has a bad boy sounded more appealing to me. This is just a fun song. And the more fun they are, the higher they rank on this list.
2. "Just Dance" - Lady Gaga (2009)
Of course this song has to make it. It practically commands you to dance, starting from the title. And this is a request easy to fulfill when you listen to RedOne's flawless production, right down to the breakdown after the third chorus. It's just a masterpiece of dance music, from the singers and the producer. Just dance. Gonna be okay.
1. "Mr. Saxobeat" - Alexandra Stan (2011)
A lot of catchy dance songs that hook you right in with their beat and instruments made this list. But only one of them could top it. And it had to be the catchiest, hookiest dance song of them all. That song, for me, is "Mr. Saxobeat".
There's something about a saxophone. If it's played well, it's like magic in your ears. And here, the saxophone is played very well. Not to mention the beat and Alexandra Stan's sexy vocals. Here, the lyrics are pretty much what you'd expect from a dance song: raunchy, fun, and well-delivered.
Mr. Saxobeat makes me dance, brings me up, brings me down, plays it sweet, makes me move like a freak
He does all that, huh? Must be fun. Maybe I should go out dancing more often.
And there you have it. The song that makes me consider going out and dancing. The dance song to end all dance songs... of the 21st century.
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