10: “Lucky Star” by Madonna
Starting the list off strong is one of the first tracks to put Madonna on the map. With lyrics based on a famous nursery rhyme, “Lucky Star” was written as a thank you to Madonna’s friend and alleged beau Mark Kamins, the DJ at Danceteria who showed her music to executives at her first label Sire Records.
9: “Blue Monday ‘88” by New Order
A remix of the band’s 1983 track “Blue Monday,” this song launched New Order into the electronic dance music scene. It was heavily influenced by artists such as Donna Summer, Kraftwerk and Ennio Morricone.
8: “Raspberry Beret” by Prince
Embedded within the lyrics of “Raspberry Beret,” Prince tells the story of a young man working at a five-and-dime store who falls for an unconventional and colorfully dressed woman. The song was a large leap from his previous funk ballads on Purple Rain.
7: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
While this song has been criticized for its similarities to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” true lovers of Whitney Houston know how uniquely special it is. One of Houston’s greatest hits, it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped several charts in the UK, Canada and Australia.
6: “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears
Listening to this song brings me back to cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway during a spring sunset in high school. Its moody and melodic sound was a huge step away from the group’s beloved sound, which almost booted it from the 1985 album. Yet, producer Chris Hughes saw a vision with the track and the rest was history.
5: “Smooth Operator” by Sade
Through “Smooth Operator,” Sade blends pop and jazz to sing about a charismatic playboy whose irresistible spirit grants him any woman he pleases. But, the song highlights a dark element in the man’s craving for genuine connection. “Smooth Operator’s” seductive contrast was a beloved hit with listeners and helped launch the band into the international spotlight.
4: “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson
Acting as a bridge between Jackson’s Motown roots and pop future, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” was inspired by the star’s growing confidence and ambition. We can thank the disco, funk and soul sounds of artists such as Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire for this infectious Jackson classic.
3: “Father Figure” by George Michael
I rediscovered this song thanks to the newly released A24 film, Babygirl, and have not been able to stop listening to it since. “Father Figure” was originally written to be a mid-tempo dance track but was transformed into a passionate, ethereal anthem before its release.
2: “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer
I need this song to be injected into my veins. The perfect dance track, the iconic ambiance of “I Feel Love” is entirely attributed to synthesized sounds and still holds tremendous cultural power today.
1: “Vogue” by Madonna
Yes, Madonna has made this list twice. She entirely deserves it. “Vogue” is what I believe to be the best dance-pop song of all time and was an instant global sensation. The music video was directed by David Fincher and played a huge role in introducing ballroom dance culture to a wider audience.
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