Top 20 Best Dance Songs of the 2010s

Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØ
If you’re feeling low on dance fuel and want an EDM-flavored boost, don’t be afraid to lean on this song! From the minute it starts, you can tell you’re in for an energizing treat, especially since Major Lazer and DJ Snake’s mix feels wholly original. The genre-melding instrumental is so effective that it moves through us, making it impossible not to get caught up in the music. At the same time, MØ’s vocals elevate the final product, adding just the right amount of attitude and spunk. It’s no wonder “Lean On” was basically on everyone’s playlist back in 2015.

Walk the Moon
Has someone ever asked you to dance? Has that experience ever prompted you to co-write a pop rock banger? Walk the Moon vocalist Nicholas Petricca can answer yes to both of those questions! And in case you hadn’t guessed, the banger in question is indeed “Shut Up and Dance.” Its effective use of synthesizers and convincing lyrics make the title’s suggestion sound like the best thing to do. Petricca summed it up perfectly when he said that the track is about getting “into your body and out of your head.” We get that message loud and clear, and are more than happy to oblige.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
When Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” first came out in 2017, we were beyond into it. And when they released a remix featuring Justin Bieber a little later in the year? Well, we were hooked. Judging by the track’s success, we clearly weren’t the only ones. The melodious latin pop, reggaeton-infused creation is passionate and downright mesmerizing. It’s sure to get you shaking your hips and – if you don’t live there already – might make you wish you were in Puerto Rico. Hey, we’re right there with you! No matter where the celebration is geographically though, one need only play either version of “Despacito” to get everyone excited.

The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey
Did the song’s title immediately put its chorus in your head and make you want to groove? “Closer” tends to have that effect on people, even today. And it’s no wonder why! After all, it was nearly impossible to go anywhere back in 2016 without it blaring through the speakers, sometimes multiple times in one night. We aren’t complaining though. It more than earned its place as one of the year’s biggest hits by telling a story and setting it to an insanely catchy beat. Were we doing just fine before we met this future bass song? Sure, but we started feeling even better after it entered our lives!

DJ Snake & Lil Jon
These days, it feels like the phrase “Turn Down for What” has been part of our cultural lexicon forever. But the year it became mega popular in our lives was 2013, when DJ Snake and Lil Jon gave us the tune by the same name. Their collaboration doesn’t give listeners much time — if any — to take a breath or stress out about whatever’s bothering them, because it’s so wildly captivating. When the beat drops, so does every guest at the event, which says it all. The EDM trap masterpiece is so good that it demands listeners start fist pumping.

David Guetta feat. Sia
We didn’t even know we were craving a David Guetta and Sia collaboration. With “Titanium” though, the pair proved we needed one. Any song that gets us jamming is already a winner in our book. “Titanium” certainly delivers on that front, with pulsating rhythms that are nothing short of thrilling. But it goes above and beyond by adding in an empowering message about resilience. Sia’s powerful delivery more than sells it, adding new depths to the bouncy house music and crafting a stimulating listening experience. By the time the song ends, it’s easy to feel like we’re titanium, too.

Jack Ü with Justin Bieber
Sometimes when you’re feeling low, you just have to dance out all your emotions without suppressing them. If "Where Are Ü Now" is any indication, Jack Ü (aka Skrillex and Diplo) and Justin Bieber understand that perfectly. The break-up song alternates between softer moments where Bieber’s emotional vocals are allowed to shine through and rousing ones where the electronic production takes center stage. It’s not a juxtaposition we necessarily saw coming, but that’s why it works so well. Thankfully, we didn’t have to ask where this song was when we needed it, because it arrived right on time in 2015 and has been there for us since.

Pharrell Williams
In 2013, a wise man told us to clap along if we know what happiness is to us, clap along if we feel like that's what we wanna do. That man is none other than Pharrell Williams, and the tune is, of course, “Happy,” which is exactly how we feel whenever we hear it. It makes us want to spin, twirl, and just have fun. And don’t even get us started on Williams’ stellar falsetto, which has the power to literally lift us from our chairs! The fact that such a soulful, catchy song was part of “Despicable Me 2”’s soundtrack somehow makes the whole thing even better. We’re grinning just thinking about it.

Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull
Jennifer Lopez isn’t just a singer – she’s a dancer too, and few songs of hers bring together her talents as seamlessly as “On the Floor.” The single came from Lopez’s seventh studio album, so it could’ve easily sounded recycled or unoriginal. Yet it’s anything but, showing us that the artist is full of good ideas and even better tunes. An example of poppy house music at its finest, the bold, decisive instrumental and JLo’s vibrant vocals instantly draw us in. The Latin influences and Pitbull being featured certainly don’t hurt, either. “On the Floor” had us, well, on the floor ready to party the night away in 2011, and the same remains true today.

Disclosure feat. Sam Smith
When Disclosure teamed up with Sam Smith, they gave us a tune we could bop along to any day, any time. The beats are infectious – but there’s also a certain je ne sais quoi that makes it feel layered and classic. Production-wise, it takes the best of the genres that define dance music, changing things up just enough to create something fresh. Plus, Smith’s voice is downright entrancing. Granted, it took some time for everyone to give this rhythmic single its due in 2012, but once they did, there was no turning back. We’re not ashamed to say we’ll be latching on to the song for years to come.

Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa gave us an excellent set of rules to follow through this danceable electropop song in 2017. We’re ecstatic to report that they still hold up! “New Rules” is all about resisting the urge to start things back up with an ex. And its biggest strength lies in the way it delivers that all-too relatable message. There’s no sadness or melancholy — instead, we get confidence and lyrics that make listeners believe they’re better off without their old partner. That, combined with the way the vibrant instrumentation comes together, makes for a motivating girl power anthem for the ages. In other words, it’s the perfect tune to blast while you let loose with your nearest and dearest friends!

Lady Gaga
Once in a while, a song is released that resonates because it’s exhilarating not just from a musical standpoint, but from a societal one. That’s what happened with “Born This Way.” It’s a refreshing record, chock full of percussive elements that create an enticing atmosphere. More importantly though, it’s an unapologetic ode to self-love, a reminder to embrace yourself and everything that makes you different. The confident lyrics empower, while the electronic music makes the wonderful message all the more appealing. Every time the song comes on, be it at a club or at home, we’re ready to jump up and down with glorious purpose.

Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin
You can never really know how big a song will become. So we’re betting Swedish House Mafia and John Martin were beyond thrilled when “Don’t You Worry Child” took the world by storm. Looking back, it was always destined to be a mega progressive house hit. The addictive drop and bittersweet yet comforting lyrics give us chills while making us want to bust a move. No matter what’s going on in our lives, our worries melt away onto the dance floor the instant the opening bars greet our ears. Swedish House Mafia may have temporarily disbanded shortly after the track’s release, but they certainly went out with a bang.

Nicki Minaj
What would the 2010s party scene have been without Nicki Minaj? We don’t even want to think about it! “Super Bass” still gets our hearts racing. And of course, “Anaconda” is a slithering good time. But it’s “Starships,” that stands out above the rest thanks to its riveting techno flare and unfailing ability to get us in the zone. When Minaj tells us to get on the floor like it’s our last chance, we feel compelled to listen — with a beat that’s that invigorating, can you blame us? Starships are meant to fly, and we’re meant to groove to this tune until we can’t stand anymore.

Beyoncé
Beyoncé is in a league of her own. The way she’s had us all in “Formation” since 2016 is proof enough. But even before that, she had us hooked with “Run the World.” Some songs are made for karaoke night, others are made for putting your best moves on display. The beauty of this one is that you’ll want to play it while doing both those activities. Lyrically, it’s perfect for when you want a confidence boost. Meanwhile, the bold R&B and electropop rhythms and expert sampling of "Pon de Floor" convince us that we should try and replicate the music video’s choreography! Basically, this hit runs our world.

LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
What better party rock anthem is there than a song literally called “Party Rock Anthem”?! It gives us permission to spend the night shuffling like nobody’s watching, with a drop like no other. That’s no small feat when you consider how challenging life can get, and how hard it can be to clear one’s mind. Look, we’re not saying it’s the deepest EDM tune out there, but it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes, something easygoing and carefree is exactly what we need to help us loosen up! LMFAO, Lauren Bennett, and GoonRock hit it out of the park, and our past and present selves alike thank them.

Justin Timberlake
Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” wasn’t the only bop we got from kids’ movie soundtracks throughout the 2010s. Indeed, we have 2016’s “Trolls” to thank for Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling”! Of course, the lighthearted disco-pop song soon took on a life of its own, and it’s still alive and well all these years later. That’s no surprise, considering it has enough soul and optimism to last a lifetime. It practically begs us to move every part of our bodies to the impeccably-produced music! We can’t stop the excited, rejuvenated feeling we get whenever JT sings this song from taking over our bodies and minds. But honestly, why would we want to?

Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
Who knew finding love in a hopeless place could be so thrilling? Rihanna and Calvin Harris seem to have had a hunch, and boy are we glad they did. Thanks to him going hard on the synth-heavy mix and her slaying those vocals, “We Found Love” didn’t just succeed – it soared to new electro house heights. You can headbang to it, you can shimmy, or you can let the rhythms dictate how you respond. One thing’s for sure: it’s virtually impossible to sit still if “We Found Love” is blasting – it’s just that intoxicating! Of course, it wouldn’t be Rihanna’s last dancey banger of the decade – “Work” anyone? But if you ask us, it remains the most memorable.

Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers
This may sound a little cheesy, but we feel lucky that this song entered our lives in 2013. We have no choice but to unleash our inner party animals as soon as those first notes enter the equation. The seductive track is basically an ode to enjoying oneself, so it’s difficult to do anything but have the best time if it’s part of the evening’s musical cue. It doesn’t matter how many times we blast it on a loop – we can’t get enough of that guitar, those disco beats, or the hypnotic energy. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, encouraging us to raise the bar and our cups to the stars while dancing.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

An EDM Staple, & For Good Reason

We’d Call & Party with Jepsen Any Day

It’s Poppy, It’s Electric, It’s Dynamite

Taking Us On a Wondrous, Sultry, Dance-Filled Journey

One Thing Is Clear: We Love Grooving to This Tune

Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
A good dance song gets you on the floor. A great dance song will have you ready to shake, twist, boogie, and, well, you get the idea. “Uptown Funk” goes above and beyond, setting a gold standard by doing all that and so much more. It always has us itching to cut a rug, with a funk and soul that effortlessly takes over any room – nay, building. With this collaboration, Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars awaken something special in us while taking us on a journey to decades past. Yet we get the sense that the Grammy-winning tune could play in the year 3014 and it’d still get people to stand up and get down! Some things are just timeless.