Recommended club and dance music

Recommended Western dance music for beginners: world-famous classics and popular hits.

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.
Former vocal coach specializing in Western musicRyo
Under the theme of “vocal skills that stand up on the world stage,” I have experience teaching as an online vocal coach specializing in Western music, and I usually listen to genres like nuevo flamenco, bolero, canzone, and R&B. In my teens, I questioned the idea that “foreign music equals English,” and started exploring songs from around the world. My commentary is characterized by a unique perspective shaped by listening to music of every genre, in every language, from every country. I mainly cover world music, so be sure to check it out!

Dance music, always at the forefront of the scene and loved by many listeners.

When you think of dance music, you might imagine an irresistibly upbeat sound.

However, since the 2020s began, dance music has undergone a major shift.

Unlike earlier styles, moodier, more downbeat tracks have become mainstream, with refined taste being valued over sheer catchiness.

Even within what we broadly call dance music, there are many different styles—just as there are many kinds of dance, the moods of dance tracks vary widely.

Here, we’ve selected dance music that even beginners can enjoy.

Recommended Western dance music for beginners: World classics and popular songs (61–70)

Pump ItBlack Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas – Pump It (Official Music Video)

Pump ItBlack Eyed Peas

A hit song by the popular group Black Eyed Peas, winners of six Grammy Awards.

Recommended for those who want to dance coolly to rap tracks and the like.

In their live performances, they showcase some light dance moves to go with the song, so using that as a reference should make it easier to dance.

Raise the rankinglower

Take My Breath (Remix) ft. Agents of TimeThe Weeknd

The Weeknd – Take My Breath Remix ft Agents Of Time

Take My Breath (Remix) ft. Agents of TimeThe Weeknd

Synth-pop, a genre that was a massive hit in the 1980s.

The Weeknd, one of Canada’s most prominent artists, is known as the very figure who transformed this synth-pop into a contemporary sound and sparked a new boom.

His synth-pop is on full display in “Take My Breath (Remix) ft.

Agents of Time.” The Weeknd’s synth-pop and the remix by Agents of Time are seamlessly blended, resulting in exceptional listenability.

Raise the rankinglower

In conclusion

The 2010s were the heyday of EDM, and upbeat, high-energy tracks dominated dance music.

Since the 2020s began, that trend has shifted dramatically, with moodier and more stylish sounds taking center stage.

This time, I put together a selection of dance tracks that fit those 2020s sensibilities—did you find any new favorites? At Rug Music, we also introduce songs curated around a variety of other themes, so be sure to check those out too!