"Let's Dance" is David Bowie's only song to
hit #1 in both the US and the UK. It gains its
funk/disco beat from producer Nile Rodger's of
the disco band Chic. There is a celebratory,
party tone to the invitation to dance, but
something darker lurks in portions of the song's
lyrics.
Few songs successfully integrate elements of
country, rock, and rap, but that is exactly what
Big and Rich did with this song that brought
them to the attention of a wide range of
audiences. The song's reputation began to build
as it was used in a wide range of commercials
and sports event soundtracks. Now it is a "go
to" choice for a rousing special event sing
along.
"Macarena," one of the biggest pop music
dance crazes of all time, originated with a
recording by a local Spanish duo. It was brought
to the US by RCA and eventually the song's dance
steps caught on. "Macarena" then spent 14 weeks
at #1 on the US pop singles chart. For more than
a year this was one of the most popular special
event songs in the US. It still works well as a
charming party song encouraging everyone to join
in on the simple dance.
Nelly's third hit single was his biggest yet
going all the way to #3. The song features
Nelly's half-brother City Spud. The laidback
pop-influenced melody helped make this a crowd
pleasing party hit.
"Le Freak" was one of the biggest of all
disco hits on the pop charts. It hit #1 and sold
approximately four million copies. The song was
originally titled "F**k Off" in response to the
band's members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards
being shut out of classic disco club Studio 54.
"Boot Scootin' Boogie" was originally
recorded by the band Asleep At the Wheel, but it
is the Brooks and Dunn version that helped kick
off a line dance frenzy that has continued to
this day. The song crossed over to pop audiences
as well and is a special event favorite.
Originally written and recorded by Neil
Diamond, "Red Red Wine" didn't become a pop and
party classic until recorded by the reggae band
UB40. It is an ode to red wine's power to help
one forget the romantic pain of lost love. The
song itself is perfect for a lilting reggae
dance and sing along.
Reportedly, the "Chicken Dance" dates back to
the 1950s. Today it is ubiquitous at weddings
and anniversary celebrations. The dance has been
popular in the US since at least the 1980s. A
version titled "The Birdie Song" by The Tweets
hit #2 on the pop charts in the UK in 1981.
Motley Crue's Vince Neill served as the grand
marshal of the world's largest chicken dance at
the Cincinnati Oktoberfest in 2004.
There is clearly a party going on here. The
song that launched Sly and the Family Stone into
mainstream pop consciousness is still a potent
party track. They will not be satisfied until
you do get up and, "Dance To the Music."
Written by American songwriter Chip Taylor
and recorded by UK rock group the Troggs, "Wild
Thing" became a #1 smash pop hit. It was a
predecessor for both garage rock and punk. The
sexy, flirtatious, slightly leering lyrics made
it a popular party sing along as well.
Surf guitar is clearly present, but it is the
drums on the instrumental classic "Wipe Out"
that is the most memorable. The Surfaris went
clear to #2 with the initial release of the song
only to return to #16 just three years later in
1966. "Wipe Out" has been featured in more than
20 movies and TV series.
At its heart "Hey Ya!" is about how difficult
it can be to maintain a relationship, but it is
difficult to keep that in mind with the sheer
power of the groove, and complexity of the mix
to sweep you up. "Hey Ya!" spent nine weeks at
#1 and the song reaches a clear peak as Andre
3000 encourages the ladies to, "shake it like a
Polaroid picture."
It is difficult to understand exactly how a
disco song that celebrates men hanging out with
men at the YMCA turned into an all-purpose
massive crowd celebratory sing along, but that
is what happened to the Village People's hit
single "YMCA." Whether its a break at a sports
event or a peak moment of a wedding reception,
you are likely to say people of all ages raising
their arms to spell out the letters Y-M-C-A as
they join the group's chorus.
Tommy James has stated in interviews that
"Mony Mony" emerged out of a deliberate effort
to create a "party rock" song. He hit the
bullseye with his creation. The title of the
song came from desperate efforts to come up with
a name or word that was two syllables and made
sense in the song. The solution appeared on a
Mutual of New York (MONY) insurance sign in New
York City.
The original version of "Mony Mony" went to
#3 on the pop singles chart while Billy Idol's
1987 live version went all the way to #1. It was
around that time that the shouted "get laid, get
f**ked" line was added to the instrumental break
frequently when the song was played at parties
and events. Tommy James succeeded in creating
one of the most successful party rock songs of
all time.
Deee-Lite - "Groove Is In the Heart".
Courtesy Elektra
Deee-Lite only had one major pop hit, but
this one is a monster. It went to #4 on the pop
singles chart after topping the dance chart.
Among the key samples here are a bass line from
Herbie Hancock's "Bring Down the Birds" and
whistles from Vernon Burch's "Get Up." There is
a rap from Q-Tip and guest bass from Bootsy
Collins. The whole package is a delightfully
"groovy" party and dance hit.
The success of "Tik Tok" was as much of a
surprise for
Ke$ha as everyone else. The girl who brushes
her teeth, "with a bottle of Jack," must truly
be a serious party girl. Ultimately Ke$ha says
the song is just about having a great time, and
millions of fans agreed with her sending the
song to the top of the pop singles chart and
turning Ke$ha into a party music star.
"Rompe" brought reggaeton on to the
mainstream party soundtrack. Puerto Rican artist
Daddy Yankee climbed into the top 25 on the
Billboard Hot 100 with this hit. The song
is used frequently as walk-up music by major
league baseball athletes.
The origin of the line, "Whoomp! There it
is!" is claimed to be from performing strippers.
It was later used frequently at sports events to
announce scoring successes. The song reached #2
on the pop singles chart and sold over four
million copies.
Lady Gaga's first hit is still her best
party song. In a nutshell its all about what it
feels like to have a few too many and lose
yourself to the music and the atmostphere. You
have no choice, but to "just dance."
Take a straightforward pop-friendly hip
hop mix and add a chorus about getting naked
in the club then out comes an instant party
classic. "Hot In Herre" was
Nelly's first #1 pop hit. It is a
classic summer hit.
