80s Dance Music & Best Party Songs: Punk, Disco, Hip Hop, Rock

Jun 12, 2010
Christina Gregoire

Dance Music From the 80s - Gabriella Fabbri

If you're looking for wedding dance music, something for a dance party, or songs to give you energy, here is a good starter list. Have some fun in life.

The decade of MTV sent out shockwaves and jolted new life into the music scene. It’s virtually impossible to come up with a list of the best dance party music of the 1980s. That would fill a small book. However, these are songs that make people want to jump onto the dance floor.

Disco Punk

It sounds strange, but lots of 80s dance songs came from punk bands. Sometimes, it’s impossible to categorize a song as punk, disco, new wave, or just plain dance music.

Rock the Casbah by The Clash. This song is a rebellion against censorhip. As soon as people hear the drums and piano, they will know it’s time to party. And, the words are great.
"Don’t You Want Me (Baby)" by Human League. Hopefully, the singer has a better makeup artist now, but this song is brilliant.
Private Idaho by the B-52s. Have a laugh at the weird whoo-hoo yodeling in the beginning; then jump up and do The Twist or The Pony, but don’t go on the patio. I love this song.
"Shock the Monkey" by Peter Gabriel. I love this, too. Heck, I love all 80s songs.
“867-5309” by Tommy Tutone.
“Material Girl” and “Into the Groove” by Madonna.
"Der Kommissar" by Falco. This upbeat tune is actually about the East German secret police.
“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell
“Mony Mony” by Billie Idol.
Precious by The Jam. This is a mix of disco, funk, techno, and jazz and this song is less well known in The States.

Some of these songs have been heard before, but they sound quite different at full blast with a room full of people.

Hip Hop Dance Songs

Some people call this hip hop but it has elements of rap, so which is it? One thing is definitely true, this is some straight-up hip dance music.

Bust a Move by Young MC. The bass is awesome and this song has cute lyrics.
“Funky Cold Medina” and Wild Thing by Tone Loc.
"My Prerogative" by Bobby Brown. The genre is called “new jack swing” but its roots are hip hop.

It’s impossible to hold still when those hip hop rap songs are spinning.

R&B Disco Funk

This genre covers just about everything that is serious slammin’ dance music. It's a fusion of so many great styles.

"Let's Groove" by Earth Wind and Fire
"Back To Life" by Soul II Soul.
"Burn Rubber" by The Gap Band. They have the funkiest hard core beat around.
"Stomp" by The Brothers Johnson.
Genius of Love by The Tom Tom Club. This is much better than the rip off from Mariah Carey. And, it has one of the best videos of all time.
"It’s Raining Men" by The Weather Girls. This is one of the hottest dance songs of all time but it’s no good unless it’s really loud. Hallelujah. Girls (or gay guys) don’t need a dance partner to rock out to this disc. Even grandma will get up when she hears the lyrics. (Yes, this originally was a straight song.)
“Billie Jean” and "Beat It" by Michael Jackson.
Oh Sheila by Ready for the World.
"When Doves Cry by Prince". This song is a masterpiece and it rocks on so many levels.

Look online for more grooving dance songs. Try to find something with a good bass line that doesn't have a long slow-moving intro. Here are examples of good disco dance songs from the 70s.

Rock Dance Music

Rock and Roll isn’t usually meant to be dance music but all of these songs will pull people onto the floor because they are so much fun.

One Night in Bangkok by Murray Head.
“You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC. The lead singer has a raspy Rod Stewart style, only he’s better. This has a southern rock feel, so older rocksters will like this as much as young kids.
Cult of Personality by Living Colour. This is not an easy song to dance to, but I like it so much I have to include it. It's great heavy metal and, as an anti-TV crusader, the lyrics are meaningful to me. TV is mind control. (As if you don't get enough of that in school and through pop culture.) And, this song applies to all politicians! But, you already knew that.
"What I Like About You" by The Romantics.
"Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi.
The Glamorous Life by Sheila E.
“I Want a New Drug” by Huey Lewis & The News.
"Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top.
"Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N Roses. Oh yeah! Party DJs should wait until the old folks have gone to bed before cranking this out. Practice your shing-a-ling skate moves.
"Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer.He’s one of the sexiest singers of all time and the song ain’t bad either. Those hard-pounding drums really make it.

The 80s music is great but check out 70s disco songs.

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