13 More Epic Songs Fueled by DANCE | Playlist 🎧

13 More Epic Songs Fueled by DANCE features music courtesy of Asbjørn, Bee Gees, Conan Gray, Jung Kook, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, and Tones And I. 

One year ago, we danced on The Musical Hype! That’s right, some serious rugs were cut on the music blog! That is when the dance musical compendium, 15 Epic Songs Fueled by DANCE (2023), was unveiled. The premise of the playlist wasn’t merely dance as a style.  Instead, the songs were required to feature some form of the word dance.  The premise remains the same in the 2024 sequel, 13 More Epic Songs Fueled by DANCE. 13 More Epic Songs Fueled by DANCE features music courtesy of Asbjørn, Bee Gees, Conan Gray, Jung Kook, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, and Tones And I. So, without further ado, it’s time to get on the dancefloor – or just cue up your favorite streaming service and check out these epic dance songs!

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~ Table of Contents ~

1. Conan Gray, “Lonely Dancers”

2. Tones And I, “Dance Monkey”

3. Asbjørn, “He’s Dancing So Well (I’m Better)”

4. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street”

5. ERNEST, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”

6. Gabby Barrett, “Dance Like No One’s Watching”

7. Imanbek & BYOR, “Belly Dancer”

8. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, “Murder On The Dancefloor”

9. Bee Gees, “You Should Be Dancing”

10. Josh Levi, “Birthday Dance”

11. Jung Kook, “Too Sad to Dance”

12. The Dave Brubeck Quartet, “Unsquare Dance”

13. King Harvest, “Dancing in the Moonlight”

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1. Conan Gray, “Lonely Dancers”

Found Heaven // Republic // 2024 

“Tonight, you’re mine.” Noted! “Lonely Dancers” marked the first single of 2024 for the handsome, ultra-talented Conan Gray.  This skinny, two-and-a-half-minute song is the fourth single from histhird studio album, Found Heaven (arrives April 5, 2024). While “Lonely Dancers” musters up a short duration, it’s ample and sufficient time for Gray to put in work. He penned this ear candy alongside Ilya Salmanzadeh (ILYA), Max Martin, and Oscar Holter.  ILYA, Martin, and Holter handle production duties, responsible for a decadent, picturesque backdrop, including some epic, rhythmic synths. The instrumental is potent, but the star of the show is none other than Gray. He serves up commanding, marvelous lead vocals. The first section of “Lonely Dancers” heard is the epic chorus:

“We’re lonely dancers

Join me for the night

We’re lonely dancers, baby

Dance with me so we don’t cry

We’re lonely dancers

There’s no need to hide

I know the answer, baby

Dance we me so we don’t cray

La-la, la-la, la, cry

La-la, la-la, la.”

Self-explanatory what’s going on.  But, there’s further clarification on the verse, where he spills the tea: “Your lover left you, broke up tonight / My lover’s busy kissin’ other guys, oh.” Oh, indeed.  What else should they do but join each other in their misery and dance it out! “Lonely Dancers” thrives off its tuneful melodies, which recall the 1980s. Another bright spot, beyond the chorus and sole verse, is the bridge, which provides contrast and maintains the engaging nature of the song (“Wait, stop, forget that guy / He don’t know love, I hope he dies…”).  Does Conan Gray ever miss? Nope!  “Lonely Dancers” is terrific.

Appears in 🔻:

• Bops That Pop: February 2024 

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2. Tones And I, “Dance Money”

The Kids Are Coming (EP) // Elektra // 2019

“So, they say / ‘Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh-oh-oh…’” Some musicians are an acquired taste – polarizing for whatever reason. Australian musician Tones and I (Toni Watson) falls into that category.  Her unique voice contributes to her polarizing nature.  While she may not be everybody’s cup of musical tea, she secured a massive hit with “Dance Monkey”.  In the United States, “Dance Monkey,” the second track from her EP, The Kids Are Coming, peaked at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified multi-platinum.  Per Billboard, in 2024, it surpassed 3 billion streams on Spotify. That’s big. Had Watson never released another song or album, her spot in music history would have already been cemented by “Dance Monkey.” She wrote the bop that many love to hate while Konstantin Kersting produced.

So, what made “Dance Monkey” become the rousing success that it is? It is catchy – infectious to the nth degree.  The colorful, minor key instrumental is sleekly produced.  The beat hits. The synths bite. A vibe is established.  Tones and I’s unique voice is front and center. Like the synths, she bites with a cutting tone. She is confident, the melody is tuneful, and the lyrics are catchy and entertaining.  Poetic wouldn’t be appropriate to describe the text but the fun, even if it is annoying fun, is undeniable.  “They say, ‘Oh my god, I see the way you shine / Take your hands, my dear, and place them both in mine.’” Word, Toni.  The chorus is inescapable, for better or worse.  It is simple but potent, catching the ears the first time you ever hear the song.  Not only does Watson inform us they say, “Dance for me,” they also say, “Move for me, move  for me, move for me, eh-eh-eh.” While there is a strong case to be made for the annoying nature of “Dance Monkey” overall, it’s some of the gimmickry that irks detractors.  The repetition, silly, nonsensical lyrics, and such.  Even a moment like, “Just like a monkey, I’ve been dancing my whole life” raises eyebrows.  Still, many musicians would die for an enduring hit like “Dance Monkey”.   

via GIPHY

 

Appears in 🔻:

• Tones and I, Dance Monkey: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 49 (2024)

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3. Asbjørn, “He’s Dancing So Well (I’m Better)”

“He’s Dancing So Well (I’m Better)” // Body of Work // 2024 

“I’m keeping the secret that our bodies hold,” Danish pop singer/songwriter Asbjørn (Asbjørn Toftdahl Terkelsen) asserts on “He’s Dancing So Well (I’m Better)”.  Ooh-la-la, so covert of you, Asbjørn!  It should be noted, however, that the handsome and talented musician is no longer in a relationship with this nameless man.  “I heard you found someone else, oh / Now you’re spinning around in a new pair of arms.” Yep, they are no longer an item.  What is Terkelsen’s response to his ex, who has a new beau? “And I will dance with myself forever / He never needs to know / He’s dancing so well but I’m better.” Word.

Asbjørn captures varying emotions.  He knows he is the better boyfriend – he offers more than the new partner.  To some extent, that gives him satisfaction.  By the end of the record, he sings, “Don’t you tell him / As long as we keep it between you and I / He’s so good / I’m better.” Absolutely! Naturally, Terkelsen is bothered by the demise of their union and struggles with letting go. His ex, on the other hand, is with someone else.  “His hand in the strobe, oh / Bodies get closer but painfully slow,” he sings, adding, “I’m spinning out of control, oh / Mirror his movement till I can go home.” Is there a resolution for him in this alluring LGBTQ+ pop joint? Not necessarily but his reaction is relatable.  Do you know what else makes us beam with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 regarding “He’s Dancing So Well (I’m Better)”? The musicianship! Asbjørn sings beautifully with a voice readymade for pop.  The melodies are tuneful, matched up with those emotional and relatable lyrics.  The production (Terkelsen and Steffen Lundtoft) is the sugar honey iced tea. Dance on, Asbjørn!

 

Appears in 🔻:

• Asbjørn, He’s Dancing So Well (I’m Better): Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 23 (2024)
• 50 Bops from 2024 That Make You Beam with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 

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4. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, “Dancing in the Street”

Dance Party // Motown // 1965

“Calling out around the world / Are you ready for a brand-new beat?” Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, a seminal Motown collective, had a Dance Party in 1965. Woo!  “Dancing in the Street”, the opening track from the album, was the biggest hit of the iconic girl group’s career. The infectious song was written by William “Mickey” Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter, and Marvin Gaye.  Stevenson produced this gem that reached no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Summer’s here and the time is right / For dancing in the street.” Yes, ma’am! What makes “Dancing in the Street” the sugar honey iced tea? Martha Reeves is a compelling frontwoman, delivering dynamic, high-energy vocals.  Given the style Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were renowned for, Reeves’ personality plays a pivotal role in the success of this cut. It’s a cutesy, playful, and tongue-in-cheek cut, tailormade for Reeves. “There’ll be laughing, singing, and music swinging / Dancing in the street,” Reeves sings in the second verse, citing the cities where these dances occur (Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., Motor City aka Detroit).  Besides the verses, the pre-chorus and chorus mark some of Reeves’ top-notch moments.  In the pre-chorus, she asserts “All we need is music, sweet music.” In the chorus, she delivers those timeless lyrics, “It doesn’t matter what you wear / Just as long as you are there / So come on, every guy, grab a girl / Everywhere around the world.”

It’s not all about Martha, of course! The Vandellas (Rosalind Ashford-Holmes and Betty Kelly) ‘hold it down’ with the background vocals – the harmonies, riffs, etc. Although “Dancing in the Street” lacks sophisticated sound quality taken for granted in the 21^st century, the instrumental backdrop rocks 🤘. There is ample fuel for The Vandellas’ fire. The rhythm section builds a fantastic anchor (specifically the drums) while the horns provide bite. The baritone saxophone brings it on those low notes! No lengthy analysis is necessary for “Dancing in the Street” which speaks for itself.

Appears in 🔻:

• Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Dancing in the Street: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 89 (2024)

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5. ERNEST, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE // Big Loud // 2024

“We’re going down, and you can see it too / Yeah, we’re going down and you know that we’re doomed / my dear, we’re slow dancin’ in a burnin’ room.” Country singer/songwriter ERNEST (Ernest Keith Smith) dropped a gargantuan, near-90-minute album in 2024: NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.  Comprised of 26 songs, Smith had a lot to say, rather, a lot to sing! In the 19^th track from his hometown-named LP, he opts to cover John Mayer. He takes it back to 2006 when Mayer released one of the best albums, Continuum.  Among the sensational songs from the LP are “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”, which ERNEST superbly countrifies on NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

The signature ‘pedal steel’ sounds even brighter on the ERNEST rendition, embracing a Nashville vibe to the core. The bluesy vibes of the original are retained – alive and well! ERNEST sings beautifully, capturing the honest, poetic, and thoughtful songwriting of the original. “I’ll make the most of all the sadness / You’ll be a bitch because you can,” he sings in the colorful second verse, “You try to hit me just to hurt me / So you leave me feelin’ dirty / ‘Cause you can’t understand.” Ooh-wee John – I mean, ERNEST! You buy what he is authentically and expressively selling. Furthermore, he doesn’t overdo or try too hard. This feels like a natural rendition simply tailored more to his preferred musical style.  Besides strong lead vocals, the vocal harmonies shine during the chorus, the centerpiece.  A sweet guitar solo adds to the goodness of this country cover that has the potential for wide-reaching appeal. Ultimately, when it comes to his cover of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”, ERNEST DID THAT 👏 😮‍💨!

Appears in 🔻:

• ERNEST, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room: Covers No. 18 (2024)
• John Mayer vs. ERNEST: Head 2 Head No. 18 (2024)
• 13 Songs Where Things Go SLOW (2024)

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6. Gabby Barrett, “Dance Like No One’s Watching”

Chapter & Verse // Warner Music Nashville LLC // 2024

“I was seven years old, he was holdin’ my hand / So we walked in the gym, he could tell I was scared.” Who was this boy? Well, the man that Gabby Barrett references in “Dance Like No One’s Watching” is her father. “Say, ‘You can pretend, it’s just you and me’ / So, I closed my eyes and I stood on his feet.” “Dance Like No One’s Watching” was written by Emily Weisband, James McNair, and Luke Combs.  The songwriting is sublime.  Commenting about the song, Barrett told Apple Music that Combs shared the song with her – it didn’t make sense for him to sing it.  The ballad is the perfect fit for Gabby, who produced it with Ross Copperman. Barrett delivers marvelous, nuanced lead vocal.  The verses are thoughtful while the chorus is the section to beat:

“Oh, to dance like no one’s watchin’

Whatever you do

And if life gives you love, fall in

But always be you

Oh, ‘cause, girl, it’s a big world

And it’s so easy to get lost in

So dance like no one’s watchin’.”

The bridge marks another sensational moment. It leads to the final chorus where Gabby finally addresses him as Daddy: “I can’t believe that you picked this song / You can hold it together, just don’t look at Mom / It’s just  like we practiced back at the house / Use those two left feet, spin me around / Daddy, dance like no one’s watchin’.” Aww, how sweet! This father-daughter-themed country song plays superbly to the country fan base but appeals well beyond it.

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7. Imanbek & BYOR, “Belly Dancer”

“Belly Dancer” // Musical Freedom Label Ltd. // 2022

“Hey ladies, drop it down / Just want to see you touch the ground / Don’t be shy girl go bananza / Shake ya body like a belly dancer.” That chorus never gets old! “Belly Dancer” sounds fresh in the hands of Grammy-winning Kazakh DJ/producer, Imanbek (Imanbek Zeikenov), and Russian DJ/producer, BYOR.  However, as you just read, “Belly Dancer” is a remix of a 2004 Akon song, “Bananza (Belly Dancer)”. Imanbek and BYOR, who produced the remix, give it a dance-tinged, electronic makeover. Covering a popular or relatively popular song can be a tall task. Imanbek and BYOR ensure that “Belly Dancer” sounds original in their hands.  Their remake has a quicker tempo than the original, more fit for a rave. The Akon original is more laid back, while Imanbek and BYOR ‘get right to it!’ The tropical vibe is still perceptible, it is less pronounced. No essay is needed regarding “Belly Dancer.” It is a fun club cut that is infectious to the nth degree.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Sickening BELLY Songs (2024)
• Akon vs. Imanbek & BYOR: Head 2 Head No. 25 (2024)

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8. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, “Murder On The Dancefloor”

Read My Lips // Polydor Ltd. (UK) // 2001

“It’s murder on the dancefloor / But you better not kill the groove.” Damn right, Sophie Ellis-Bextor! The English musician had never charted on US pop charts until 2024.  That’s when “Murder On The Dancefloor” peaked at no. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2024. The thing is, “Murder On The Dancefloor,” which she penned alongside Gregg Alexander, wasn’t a new song.  It appeared as the opening track on her 2001(!) debut album, Read My Lips.  While Ellis-Bextor earned success in England and other countries until being featured in Saltburn, and taking off via TikTok, stateside success eluded her.

“It’s murder on the dancefloor / But you better not steal the moves / DJ, gonna burn this goddamn house right down.” Oh, snap 🫰! “Murder On The Dancefloor” is a vibe from the beginning.  It’s sleekly produced benefiting from a stellar groove, tight rhythm section, strong programming, and radiant strings.  Ellis-Bextor serves up smooth lead vocals.  She easily sings, barely breaking a sweat, even when she drops that swear word.  Part of the charm is the accent, at least from a United States listener’s perspective.  The section to beat is the infectious, tuneful chorus.  The verses are a vibe too, but, crème de la crème is where that murder occurs! Sometimes, characterizing a song as a one-hit-wonder feels degrading.  In this case, “Murder On The Dancefloor” earned Sophie Ellis-Bextor a long-awaited entry on the U.S. pop charts. Bravo!

Appears in 🔻:

• Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Murder On The Dancefloor: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 24 (2024) 

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9. Bee Gees, “You Should Be Dancing”

Children of the World // Barry Gibb, The Estate of Robin Gibb and Yvonne Gibb // 1976

“What you doin’ on your back? Hey / What you doin’ on your back? Hey / You should be dancing, yeah / Dancing, yeah.” Indeed! Bee Gees – Barry Gibb (1946 – ), Robin Gibb (1949 – 2012), and Maurice Gibb (1949 – 2003) – were a once-in-a-lifetime pop collective. Throughout an illustrious career, the British brother trio earned 15 top-10 hits.  Nine of those top-10s were no. 1 hits, including the jubilant, “You Should Be Dancing”. “You Should Be Dancing” spent one week atop the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1976. It serves as the opener from the trio’s album, also released in 1976, Children of the World. “You Should Be Dancing” was composed by – you guessed it – Bee Gees! It was produced by the trio alongside Karl Richardson and Albhy Galuten 💪.  The instant you hear this song, there is no way your body won’t start moving and grooving🕺🪩!

The backdrop is electric on “You Should Be Dancing.” The rhythm section is on fire.  The drums (Dennis Byron) and additional percussion groove hard.  The bass (Maurice) is fat and rhythmic. The guitar (Barry) riffs are sick.  Also, there’s a stellar guitar solo by Alan Kendall who rocks out in this pop/disco/funk joint. The keys, courtesy of Blue Weaver, add warmth.  Besides the core instrumentation, the listener is blessed with bright, biting horns, characteristic of an era that thrived in orchestration.  Of course, where the bread is buttered for Bee Gees are the vocals and memorable lyrics.  Barry Gibb wows with his ripe, top-notch falsetto – truly innovative.  Even with the head voice dominating, Barry is commanding and sounds potent to the nth degree.  Lyrically, the focus is on something that many men think about – their woman.  “My woman, take me higher / My woman, keep me warm,” Barry sings in the first verse, adding in the second, “She’s juicy and she’s trouble / She gets it to me good / My woman, give me power / Go right down to my blood.” Woo! More can be said of “You Should Be Dancing” but does it need to be? No, because this Bee Gees gem deserves to be listened to on repeat.  It never grows old.

Appears in 🔻:

• Bee Gees, You Should Be Dancing: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 93 (2024)

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10. Josh Levi, “Birthday Dance”

DISC TWO (SCRATCHED UP) // Raedio LLC / Atlantic // 2023

“I don’t know your plans / I don’t know where you’re goin’,” Josh Levi sings in the pre-chorus of “Birthday Dance”, continuing, “All that I know is / I like the way you / Dance, dance, dance.” This ‘birthday dance’ is not that innocent.  Even though Levi keeps things tasteful on the 11^th track from DISC TWO (SCRATCHED UP), the sexy vibes are inescapable. Also, we know anytime a birthday and love intertwine, sugar honey iced tea is about to go down. “Sittin’ here on your birthday / Didn’t even know your first name / See your cups goin’ empty / Can I fill you up tonight?” Oh, snap! The key word is fill, which is sexually charged. In the second verse, Josh is mesmerized: “Let me take you there, I’ll be your prayer.” That prayer, of course, is more scandalous. The dancing he encourages in the chorus CAN’T be tame! All told, “Birthday Dance” is a short but potent sex song.  It benefits from its smooth, sensual, urban-sounding production, courtesy of Tone. Levi delivers sensual vocals to match the slick backdrop. When he sings, it’s giving… SEX 😈.

Appears in 🔻:

• Josh Levi, Birthday Dance: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 99 (2023)

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11. Jung Kook, “Too Sad to Dance”

GOLDEN // BIGHIT MUSIC // 2023 

💔 has Jung Kook feeling 😢 on “Too Sad to Dance,” the ninth track from the K-Pop singer’s debut LP, GOLDEN. Despite going to the club and drinking (verse one), he’s ultimately “too sad to dance.” In the second verse, the sadness continues: “And this Christmas, I got no gifts / Do I really deserve all this? / So, I head straight down to the liquor store.” While he never overcomes loneliness in this pleasant number, his Pops does give him sound advice in the final verse, prior to the instrumental outro: “Walk that walk alone / And talk that talk, you know / ‘Cause you don’t need no one to dance.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 Songs That Highlight the Power of TOO (2024)

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 12. The Dave Brubeck Quartet, “Unsquare Dance”

Time Further Out // Sony Music Entertainment Inc. // 1961

Jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck (1920 – 2012) had no shortage of innovative spirit as a musician. He opted against the tried and true and pushed boundaries.  One such way he did so was by exploring nontraditional and asymmetric meters. In 1961, The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Brubeck, Paul Desmond (saxophone), Joe Morello (drums), and Eugene Wright (bass) – released Time Further Out, which features the 7/4 masterpiece, “Unsquare Dance”.

“Unsquare Dance” runs merely two minutes in duration. Wright provides a mighty foundation with the string bass highlighting key beats – one, three, and five.  It’s not only Wright who maintains a groove.  Handclaps play a pivotal role – part of the charm of “Unsquare Dance.” Who performs those claps? Did Desmond clap since he didn’t play alto sax on it? Eventually, Brubeck enters the mix incorporating the blues (it’s still built on a blues progression) and country/western flavor.  Eventually, Joe Morello brings the drums in alongside the handclaps, but doesn’t embrace the whole kit – it’s the rim of the snare action, baby! Minimalist yet brilliant musically, “Unsquare Dance” ranks among the best songs of the Dave Brubeck catalog.

Appears in 🔻:

• The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Unsquare Dance: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 31 (2024)

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13. King Harvest, “Dancing in the Moonlight”

Dancing in the Moonlight // Darbo Music LLC // 1973

“We get it on most every night / And when that ol’ moon gets so big and bright / It’s a supernatural delight.” “Dancing in the Moonlight” is the 10^th and final track from the 1973 album by King Harvest, Dancing in the Moonlight. “Dancing in the Moonlight” was released as a single in 1972 preceding the album.  Written by keyboardist and songwriter, Sherman Kelly, it was originally recorded by Boffalongo. In his biography, Kelly shares the dark origin of the beloved song, stating, “I wrote ‘Dancin In The Moonlight’ in which I envisioned an alternate reality, the dream of a peaceful and joyful celebration of life. “Dancing in the Moonlight” peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 – the sole top-40 hit by King Harvest. Dave Robinson brings the lyrics and melodies to life beautifully. “Everybody here is out of sight / They don’t bark, and they don’t bite,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “They keep things loose, they keep things light / Everybody was dancing in the moonlight.” Robinson is commanding in his performance without ever over-singing.  Besides his noteworthy vocals and strong background vocals, the instrumental is sweet. It’s the warm keys, prominent bass line, guitar riffs, and the drum groove.  Unsurprisingly, the section to beat on this serene and sunny track is the chorus.

“Everybody’s dancing in the moonlight

Everybody’s feeling warm and bright

It’s such a fine and natural sight

Everybody’s dancing in the moonlight.”

“Dancing in the Moonlight” is timeless.

Appears in 🔻:

• King Harvest, Dancing in the Moonlight: 1 Hit WONDERful 22 (2024)

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13 More Epic Songs Fueled by DANCE (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Barry Gibb, The Estate of Robin Gibb and Yvonne Gibb, BIGHIT MUSIC, Big Loud, Body of Work, Darbo Music LLC, Elektra, Motown, Musical Freedom Label Ltd., Polydor Ltd. (UK), Raedio LLC, Republic, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Nashville LLC; Braks Alexandros, Ashkan Fereydounpour, cottonbro studio, Daniel Portela, Kolby Katalist, Lazarus Ziridis, from Pexels; DreamDigitalArtist, Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay]

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