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.

Beginner-Friendly Western Dance Music: World Classics and Popular Tracks (21–30)

Shake It OffTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – Shake It Off

Shake It OffTaylor Swift

This song, included on Taylor’s popular-in-Japan album 1989 and a Grammy Award winner, lets you dance freely without worrying about choreography—just like the scene in the PV’s final chorus where Taylor and the Swifties (the name for Taylor’s fans) dance together.

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ReplayZendaya

Zendaya – Replay

ReplayZendaya

At first glance it seems like a laid-back ballad, so you might wonder, “Can you really dance to this?” But as you can see from Zendaya in the music video, it’s surprisingly easy to dance to.

The choreography in the video is simple once you get the hang of it, so I recommend giving it a try.

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Dance Music in Western Pop Recommended for Beginners: World Classics and Popular Tracks (31–40)

HappyPharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams – Happy (Official Music Video)

HappyPharrell Williams

There are many dance versions of “Happy,” and many people have probably seen celebrities dancing to this song.

Its catchy melody makes it easy to dance to, and it’s especially recommended for street-style dancing like in the music video.

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Run The WorldBeyoncé

Beyoncé – Run the World (Girls) (Official Video)

Run The WorldBeyoncé

Beyoncé, the world’s songstress, has a hit track called “Run the World.” In the music video, Beyoncé shows off some sexy dance moves.

For beginners, dancing as hot as Beyoncé might be difficult, but it’s a song you can enjoy just by moving to the music.

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Really Don’t CareDemi Lovato ft. Cher Lloyd

Demi Lovato – Really Don’t Care ft. Cher Lloyd (Official Video)

Really Don't CareDemi Lovato ft. Cher Lloyd

This song is about singing, “I don’t care anymore!” to the worst ex.

Just like the lyrics and the title, she looks like she’s having a blast singing in the music video.

It’s perfect for when you want to forget unpleasant people or a bad past without dwelling on it, and just sing and dance for fun.

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Run This TownLucy Hale

Lucy Hale Run This Town Official Music Video

Run This TownLucy Hale

A song from the film “A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song,” starring Lucy.

It’s an upbeat track that makes you want to dance while running.

With its bright sound and fun rhythm, it’s easy to dance to, making it a good choice for beginners.

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We’re DancingBridgit Mendler

We’re Dancing (Alex Ghenea 3.0 Remix) – Bridgit Mendler – Shake It Up: I Heart Dance

We're DancingBridgit Mendler

As the title “We’re Dancing” suggests, this song was made purely for dancing, making it easy even for beginners to move to.

With Bridget’s beautiful, delicate vocals, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy a wonderful dance.

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