[For Beginners] Classic EDM Songs in Western Music: A Collection of Popular, Hype Tracks

EDM—electronic dance music—often gets dismissed because people associate it with amped-up party crowds.

Perhaps many of you feel the same way.

While that image does exist, the definition of EDM, which spread rapidly from the late 2000s mainly in the U.

, is actually quite fuzzy.

Within dance music, countless experiments have produced a wide range of styles, leading to global hit songs one after another—and their ripple effects have even influenced the sound of J-pop.

Although its momentum has eased somewhat in the 2020s, this article gathers signature and classic smash-hit EDM tracks for those who want to give the genre another listen.

Beginners are welcome to check them out!

Playlist

[For Beginners] Classic EDM Songs in Western Music: A Collection of Popular, Hype Tracks
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Wake Me UpAvicii		A signature Avicii track fusing folktronica and EDM—a summer classic.
2	Break FreeAriana Grande／Zedd		Summary (20 characters): A theme song of self-liberation by Ariana Grande. A new frontier fusing EDM and electropop.
3	AnimalsMartin Garrix		Summary (20 characters): Martin Garrix’s signature track. With powerful beats and melodies, it’s an EDM masterpiece that ignites clubs.
4	Scary Monsters And Nice SpritesSkrillex		A signature track by Skrillex and a dubstep masterpiece. A fusion of energy and melody, and a worldwide hit.
5	Beautiful NowZedd ft. Jon Bellion		Summary (20 characters): A masterpiece by Zedd and Jon Bellion praising present beauty and the joy of life.
6	BlackoutBlasterjaxx		Summary (20 characters): A Dutch DJ duo unleashes big room house. Powerful synths and kicks shake the dance floor.
7	LouderDimitri Vegas, Like Mike & VINAI		An EDM anthem released in 2015 by Belgian and Italian producers, made for festival peak-time.
8	One More TimeDaft Punk		Daft Punk’s signature work. A classic in the history of EDM, characterized by an uptempo beat and striking vocals.
9	Get Up (Rattle)Bingo Players ft. Far East Movement		A fusion track of electro house and hip-hop: an instrumental by Bingo Players with rap added by Far East Movement.
10	Jungle Bae Feat. Bunji GarlinSkrillex and Diplo		A Grammy-winning track by Skrillex and Diplo’s unit, Jack Ü. A fusion of Caribbean rhythms and EDM.
11	TitaniumDavid Guetta ft. Sia		Summary (20 characters): Dance track by Guetta and Sia. An iconic song that gives courage to face adversity.
12	Axel FDimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Bassjackers		The Beverly Hills Cop theme has been remade by an EDM maestro, resulting in a track that fuses nostalgia with modernity.
13	BooyahShowtek ft. We Are Loud & Sonny Wilson		A cheerful EDM track released in 2013. It ranked high on charts in multiple countries and is popular at sports events.
14	We Found LoveRihanna ft. Calvin Harris		Summary (20 characters): A collaboration song by Rihanna and Calvin Harris. A track themed around finding love in a hopeless place.
15	Lean On (feat. MØ)Major Lazer & DJ Snake		Summary (20 characters): A 2015 release by Major Lazer and DJ Snake. A global hit.
16	Firestone ft. Conrad SewellKygo		Summary (20 characters): A Kygo-produced tropical house track. A warm sound expressing love and hope.
17	Clarity (ft. Foxes)Zedd		Summary (20 characters): Zedd’s signature track. Energetic beats and exhilarating synths. A global hit that won a Grammy.
18	Closer (ft. Halsey)The Chainsmokers		The Chainsmokers’ 2016 smash hit. A duet with Halsey, featuring a nostalgic and sweet vibe.
19	SymphonyClean Bandit feat. Zara Larsson		A fusion of classical and EDM by Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson, expressing lost love.
20	PjanooEric Prydz		Featuring a catchy keyboard melody…
21	Rather BeClean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne		A track that blends electronic sounds with classical elements, themed around the bond with a loved one.
22	Adagio For StringsTiësto		A classic masterpiece reconstructed by Tiësto from EMD
23	Purple LamborghiniSkrillex & Rick Ross		Summary of a Skrillex × Rick Ross track. Used in Suicide Squad in 2016, became a global hit. (20 characters)
24	LevelsAvicii		Summary (20 characters): A 2011 Avicii track. It samples Etta James and revolutionized EDM.
25	SummerCalvin Harris		Summary (20 characters): Calvin Harris’s 2014 summer track. An international hit blending EDM with a sweet melody.
26	Where Are Ü Now (with Justin Bieber)Skrillex and Diplo		Summary (20 characters): A dance track produced by Skrillex and Diplo, sung by Bieber.
27	High ScorePanda Eyes & Teminite		Panda Eyes is a Swiss composer and DJ whose collaboration with Teminite has surpassed 20 million views on YouTube.
28	Where Them Girls AtDavid Guetta		A dance track that heats up the party, a global hit
29	WitchcraftPendulum		A drum and bass track released by Pendulum in 2010 that became a hit in the UK and was also used in video games.
30	Right Here Right NowFatboy Slim		Summary (20 characters): Fatboy Slim’s 1999 track. A global hit, selected as one of the greatest dance songs.
31	TremorDimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Martin Garrix		Summary (20 characters): The 'Tremor' remix features a unique sound with added heavy metal elements.
32	TigerR3HAB		EDM’s heavy bass and overwhelming sound
33	MammothDimitri Vegas, MOGUAI & Like Mike		A collaboration track by Belgian and German DJs. Digitally released in 2013, it became a hit in Europe.
34	Block Rockin’ BeatsThe Chemical Brothers		A global hit released in 1997 by The Chemical Brothers that won a Grammy Award.
35	Let Me Think About ItIda Corr vs Fedde Le Grand		The collaboration track by Ida Corr and Fedde Le Grand became a hit around the world in 2007.
36	Feel So CloseCalvin Harris		Summary (20 characters): Calvin Harris’s EDM tracks are masterpieces that fit even quiet everyday moments.
37	A Light That Never Comes (Vicetone Remix)Linkin Park & Steve Aoki		A collaboration between Linkin Park and Steve Aoki, premiered in Tokyo in 2013. It became a big hit in the West.
38	Lessons In LoveKaskade		Kaskade remixed a single by Neon Trees, which reached No. 20 on the U.S. charts.
39	Burnin’Calvin Harris & R3hab		A collaboration track by Calvin Harris and R3hab. Released digitally in 2014, it reached number one on the Beatport chart.
40	RATATASkrillex, Missy Elliott, & Mr. Oizo		An EDM hip-hop track by Skrillex and others
41	Lose ControlMeduza, Becky Hill, Goodboys		A sophisticated, moving piece that portrays a cry from the heart
42	F For YouDisclosure		A 2013 track by Disclosure. It became popular in Europe and reached No. 5 on the UK charts.
43	Dear BoyAvicii		Summary (20 characters): Avicii’s signature track. It portrays youth and love, blending dance music with pop.
44	Rude (Zedd Remix)MAGIC		Zedd remixes MAGIC!’s signature song, featuring a powerful message about staying true to love.
45	CivilizationJustice		A track released by Justice in 2011 featuring vocals by Ali Love.
46	AliveKrewella		Summary (20 characters): An energetic EDM track combining Krewella's powerful vocals with a hard-hitting beat.
47	Nothing But YouPaul van Dyk		A track released by Paul van Dyk in 2003 that became popular in the U.S. and Europe.
48	As Your FriendAfrojack ft. Chris Brown		Summary: A collaboration between Afrojack and Chris Brown. Released in 2013. A hit in the West, reached No.1 in the US. (within 20 characters)
49	Don’t StopATB		An EDM track released by ATB in 1999. It became a hit in Europe and reached No. 3 on the UK charts.
50	FinaleMadeon		Summary (20 characters): Madeon's 2012 track. Reached #1 in Belgium, used in NBC commercials for the London Olympics.
51	She Wolf (Falling To Pieces)David Guetta ft. Sia		Summary (20 characters): A collaboration between David Guetta and Sia. Premiered at Tomorrowland in 2012. The music video was filmed in Iceland.
52	Who Wants To Be AloneTiësto ft. Nelly Furtado		A Tiesto and Nelly Furtado collaboration that became a hit in Europe in 2010.
53	Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?Moby		Summary (20 characters): Released by Moby in 1999. A hit in Europe, with multiple remixes.
54	Till The Sky Falls DownDash Berlin		20-character summary: Dash Berlin is a Dutch electronic music group that released a track in 2007.
55	GreyhoundSwedish House Mafia		Summary (20 characters): A 2012 release by Swedish House Mafia. An EDM masterpiece and global hit.
56	Let Me Love YouDJ Snake ft. Justin Bieber		A collaboration between DJ Snake and Justin Bieber, rumored to be a song about Selena Gomez.
57	FirestarterThe Prodigy		A 1996 release by The Prodigy. Sung by Keith Flint, it became a global hit.
58	Sad MachinePorter Robinson		A duet between a robot girl and a boy. Produced by Porter Robinson in 2014 using a Vocaloid.
59	Raise Your Weapondeadmau5		Summary (20 characters): A masterpiece marked by the striking contrast between emotional lyrics and a delicate melody that unfolds into dubstep.