In the 1980s electronic dance music gained widespread popularity. It continued growing into a well-known musical style in the 1990s — mainly composed by European dance groups since its popularity was a little less in the USA.
Dance music began to reach the American market in the new millennium. This launched a new wave of dance-pop crossovers. DJs such as Armand Van Helden and David Guetta started to emerge as leaders in both the dance and pop genres. Dance DJs worked alongside pop stars in producing catchy dance music for electrifying dance floors. Snoop Dogg also helped get the 2000s dance songs going with his international success in the 90s.
For your wedding, maybe you want to remember a Dutch singer from the club, but you can’t remember her name. You could be wondering who sang that one song with Jay Z. If you want to get your wedding guests onto the dance floor, you will want to use our list of the best wedding dance songs from the 2000s.
What Were the Most Popular Dances in the 2000s?
Hip hop had a strong influence on dancing in the 2000s. Many of us survived the Y2K bug and started Krumping as our new dance floor fad. Krumping was highly energized with jolty body movements. It personified the 2000s.
Many of the best dance songs have a solo artist. However, their debut album may feature another artist you probably recognize. It might blow your mind to realize Busta Rhymes, Chris Brown or Justin Timberlake were on these albums. Many critics will disagree with the US Billboard and UK Singles Chart best dance recording.
The ever-increasing interest in electronic music also characterized the 2000s. Electro Dance from the 2000s was a mix of many dance styles. The moves were a mix from past decades. It was fun to combine Vogue moves with Disco. You may have even had glow sticks when you were dancing in the 2000s.
Synth-Pop in the 2000s
Synth-pop was revived in the 2000s. This dance music genre brings the nostalgia of 70s synth-pop to life. Vintage synth sounds fused with sonically-designed urban aesthetics became signature identities for many dance-pop and house artists.
Teen pop artists use synths in their dance-worthy anthems to create an 70s feel. Similar artists’ electropop creatively utilized synth components to diversify their sounds. As urban synth-pop firmly gained traction in mainstream culture, the music scene saw more female solo artists entering dance music.
- “Veridis Quo” by Daft Punk
- “Playgirl” by Ladytron
- “Eple” by Rӧyksopp
- “Last Exit” by Junior Boys
- “I’m Not Done” by Fever Ray
- “Roche” by Sébastien Tellier
- “Night Drive” by Chromatics
- “Heartbeats” by The Knife
- “Losing My Edge” by LCD Soundsystem
- “Emerge” by Fischerspooner
- “Boy From School” by Hot Chip
- “Hot Lips” by Pacific!
EDM in the 2000s
When dance music genres combine with soundscape experiments, they transcend boundary lines and define new genres. A fascination for club culture led to the sound and style of the EDM genre. Electronic dance music has gained popularity over the years with numerous acoustically constructed dance styles. Multiple stylistic variations within EDM genres resulted in the hybridization of dance music.
Many artists, from dance-pop to house-pop, techno-trance, electropop, hip hop and synth-pop, included a diverse electronic soundscape throughout their music.
- “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis
- “Music” by Madonna
- “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue
- “Finally” by Kings of Tomorrow feat. Julie McKnight
- “Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)” by Spiller feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor
- “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” by Modjo
- “Toca’s Miracle” by Fragma
- “Hung Up” by Madonna
- “Romeo” by Basement Jaxx
- “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga
- “Satisfaction” by Benny Benassi and The Biz
- “Heaven” by DJ Sammy & Yanou feat. Do
- “Rapture” by iiO
- “Touch Me” by Rui Da Silva
- “D.A.N.C.E.” by Justice
- “Call On Me” by Eric Prydz
- “Dragostea Din Tei” by O-Zone
- “House of Jealous Lovers” by The Rapture
- “All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem
- “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” by Scissor Sisters
R&B Dance Songs of the 2000s
R&B dance songs were trendy throughout the 2000s. Several R&B artists saw their popularity drop as trends changed for clubs. They then began to rely on diverse influences from urban dance forms to make their music more accessible to wider audiences. These experiments launched a new wave in the R&B dance music genre.
- “Hey Ya!” by OutKast
- “Yeah!” by Usher
- “Family Affair” by Mary J. Blige
- “Hot In Herre” by Nelly
- “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé
- “Angel” by Shaggy feat. Rayvon
- “Doesn’t Really Matter” by Janet Jackson
- “Don’t Phunk with My Heart” by Black Eyed Peas
- “The Way You Move” by OutKast and Sleepy Brown
- “Move Ya Body” by Nina Sky
- “Turn Me On” by Kevin Lyttle
- “Ignition” by R. Kelly
- “U Got It Bad” by Usher
- “My Humps” by Black Eyed Peas
- “Lose Control” by Missy Elliot
- “Oh” by Ciara & Lucacris
- “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)” by Blu Cantrell
- “Always On Time” by Ja Rule feat. Ashanti
- “Get Busy” by Sean Paul
- “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
- “Video” by India.Arie Simpson
- “Where the Party At” by Jagged Edge
- “Gimme The Light” by Sean Paul
- “Money Maker” by Ludacris featuring Pharrell
- “Burn” by Usher
What are the Most Danced Songs from the 2000s?
Wanna dance? Here are the most popular 2000s dance songs you probably heard at your high school dances.
1. “Hey Ya!” by OutKast
This song was featured across top-40 hip hop radio shows and dance stations worldwide. It occupied the top position in nine weeks. The song’s bassists, Aaron Mills and Andre 3000, play percussion. It was the first song on iTunes that was downloaded over a million times.
2. “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk
A famous electro-dance song by an influential music genre, “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” was released in October 2001. It received a Best Dance Album Grammy in the same year. The track was created from a ‘bouncy’ keyboard riff in Edwin Bird’s 1979 track. It is also renowned for being used for Kanye West’s song “Stronger” on his 2007 album, “Graduation”. The duo had not collaborated directly with West in the studio, but two actors appear as Daft Punk in the video. Both Daft Punk and West sang this at the 2008 Grammy Awards.
3. “Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott’s “Get Ur Freak On” showcases the rapper’s creativity and talents. It’s a banger with an exciting beat and good lyrics. It is the best-known song written and produced by Elliot and Timbaland. The song is based on bhangra, a Punjabi dance form. The classic instruments Missy plays make for a beautiful song. The films “The Rundown” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” feature the track.
4. “I Gotta Feeling” by Black-Eyed Peas
The song “I Gotta Feeling” was the second single from the album “The E.N.D.” The song sat on the US Billboard Hot 100 list alongside “Boom Boom Pow”. This song’s joyful lyrics and simple rhythm captivated the entire world. In 2009 it was the most widely acclaimed and highest-ranking single. It held the highest position for 14 weeks.
5. “Bonkers” by Dizzee Rascal
“Bonkers” is a song written by British artist Dizzee Rascal and US artist Armand Van Helden. The song was a British hit in 2000. This track was released on Rascal’s fourth album, “Tongue n’ Cheek”, in 2008.
6. “Get Low” by Lil Jon and The East Side Boyz feat. Ying Yang Twins
The songs from 2002 get low and cam make a person leap from their seats after just two seconds. This song contains mature lyrics that don’t suit a young audience but can be extremely enjoyable to dance to, particularly if one loves to lower their hips. The instruments are heavy and thrilling and have strong basslines in the middle and even loud whistles in the back, which are hard to ignore.
7. “The Whistle Song” by DJ Aligator Project
“The Whistle Song,” is an Iranian/Danish DJ’s symphony. The melody reflects a 1929 song called “Singin’ In the Rain.” The song was first released in 2000 and reached a top ranking in the Danish charts. The song reached number 5 on the Irish charts but remained number 33 in UK Singles Charts.
8. “My Humps” by Black Eyed Peas
Black Eyed Peas had a storied record of entertaining party-hit songs throughout the 2000s, but the song “My Humps” stood out among them because it contained risqué words and fun and funky beats. This song is about showing off your best, and dancing to the music is the best way to achieve this.
9. “Hotel Room Service” by Pitbull
“Hotel Room Service” showcases Pitbull’s flair for travel and adventure. The song samples Nightcrawlers’ “Push The Feeling On”, Jay-Z’s “I Just Wanna Love U”, Notorious B.I.G.’s “Nasty Girl” and Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”. The official remix features Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer from Pussycat Dolls.
10. “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” By Soulja Boy
Many songs ask the listener to perform a dance move, although Soulja Boy’s “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” stands out. The dance, named in honor of the artist himself, is more than just one move, like the “Stanky Legg”. It’s a whole dance sure to get your guests on their feet!
11. “Disturbia” by Rihanna
“Disturbia” was produced by world-renowned Rihanna on “Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded”. It is a newer version of her “Good Girl Gone Bad” album. The track was classified into electropop or dance-pop. Several reviews have praised it’s dark-toned lyrics and beat. It describes feelings of anger, anxiety or fear.
12. “Romeo” by Basement Jaxx
“Romeo” is a single on Basement Jaxx’s album “Rooty”. UK rap artist Kele Le Roc contributes lead vocals, while Corryne Dwyer plays background vocals. Many music critics considered it an excellent dancefloor anthem. The piece feature Indian dancers and is an homage to old Bollywood movies from the 1960s and 1970s.
13. “Hot In Herre” by Nelly
This was the song of the year in 2002. The song is addictive. The music is distinctive and groovy, which makes it difficult to remain still. The lyrics are also incredibly entertaining.
14. “Candy Shop” by 50 Cent, featuring Olivia
Right from the beginning of this song, the bass takes over your emotions, making it challenging to keep it high. The music is sensual and explicit, but the song’s cuteness and catchiness remain.
If you want shiny disco balls and booty shaking for your wedding reception, you’ll want to make sure these songs are on rotation. They all have a catchy beat making them perfect to keep everyone entertained. Don’t forget, the best 2000s dance songs have an electronic beat to keep you dancing. We hope this list helped you narrow down your playlist.
Choosing the Right Dance Music Mix for Your Wedding
Choosing the right dance music mix for your wedding is crucial to ensure that your guests have a great time and remember your special day for years to come.
With so many options available, deciding on the perfect mix can be overwhelming. Here are seven factors to consider when choosing the right dance music mix for your wedding.
1. Your Personal Music Taste
Your personal music taste should be one of the primary factors in deciding on the right dance music mix for your wedding. You want to choose songs that you and your partner love and that reflect your personalities. Choose songs that hold meaning to you and your partner. It could remind you of a special moment or just one that always spurs you to dance
2. The Age Range of Your Guests
Consider the age range of your guests when choosing your wedding music. You want to make sure that there are songs that everyone can enjoy and dance to. A good rule of thumb is to have a bit of everything: pop songs, classic hits, songs, and some oldies.
3. The Size of Your Venue
The size of your venue should also be taken into account when choosing your wedding music. If you have a large venue, you’ll want to make sure that the music is loud enough to fill the space. On the other hand, if you have a smaller venue, you may want to choose more low-key songs so that the music doesn’t overpower the space.
4. The Time of Day
The time of day that your wedding takes place should also be considered when choosing your music mix. If you’re having an afternoon wedding, you may want to choose more mellow songs, while an evening wedding may call for more upbeat tunes.
5. Cultural Traditions
If you or your partner come from a cultural background with specific music traditions, you may want to incorporate those into your wedding music mix. For example, if you’re of Latin American descent, you may want to include some salsa or merengue music in your mix.
6. The DJ or Band
The DJ or band that you choose can also have a big impact on your wedding music mix. Make sure that you choose a DJ or band that understands your personal music taste and can cater to the age range of your guests.
Also, you shouldn’t miss these other wedding songs posts to set the mood on your big day:
- Black Wedding Songs
- Pop Punk Wedding Songs You Need To Play
- Hip Hop Dance Songs For Wedding or Party
I’m a freelance journalist/writer/content marketer with BA Hons in Journalism.
