big hair lots of flair and tons of
unforgettable dances welcome to
watchmojo.com and today we’ll be
counting down our picks for the top 10
dance songs of the 1980s for this list
we’re featuring dance songs that were
released between January 1st 1980 and
December 31st 1989 it’s not necessarily
about the dance songs per se but songs
that you can dance to number 10 it takes
to Rob base and DJ EZ rock in an era
that produced the Golden Age of hip hop
and allowed b-boys to get funky on the
streets with sweat suits and gold chains
this duo created arguably one of the
greatest hip-hop tracks of all time it
takes to contains all of the essential
ingredients to kick off any legitimate
dance party on one hand you have the
Fresh Beat by Rob base and DJ EZ rock
and then they hit you with an infectious
chorus to get your body moving like a
dancefloor maniac
it’s okay if you don’t know the words
just wave your hands in the air and
pretend like you know how to get down
number 9 Funkytown lips inc ah can you
hear that can you hear that synthesizer
that’s when you know it’s time to boogie
while the Minneapolis band lips Inc
released their debut album in 1979 this
single hit the radio in March of 1980
and kicked off the decade with a healthy
groove with repetitive lyrics of won’t
you take me to Funkytown anybody with a
general sense of rhythm can holler out
oh I’m already there right before they
bite their lip and get wild
number eight push it
salt and pepper drop that beat
spinderella because it’s about to get
sexy all up in hair with one of the most
instantly recognizable beats ever
created
salt and pepper created a groovy
sensation when they released this track
in 1987 the concept of push it is clear
all you fly mothers got to get up off
that thing and bust a move
sure it’s always crucial to understand
the lyrics have a great dance song but
it’s also important to convey a little
attitude and this track brings out the
sass in everybody
number seven pump up the jam
Technotronic sort lee before the
beginning of the 90s a group from
Belgium released a joint that became a
popular house phenomenon in the United
States complemented by the raw vocals of
yeah kid K pop up the jam has a fresh to
death beat that will make you say oh
hell yes and help you get into the
groove okay the music video may cause
some to experience seizures but
Technotronic contribution to the dance
world inspired future musicians and
might have even gotten your grandma to
unveil some old timey dance moves
this track was such a success it found
its way to the Fresh Prince of bel-air
and who can forget Chris Farley’s poetic
ice-skating number with Nancy Kerrigan
on Saturday Night Live Oh
pump up the jam pop up the dam they will
number six celebration cool in the game
we all know that special someone who
refuses to dance
unless this song blasts through the
speakers
a celebration lasts throughout the year
and it usually happens at a wedding
reception originally released in late
1980 celebration has become a party
anthem for good times and laughter too
who cares if the lyrics aren’t deep or
thought-provoking all that matters is
that Kool & the Gang wants to party hard
with the entire world and that my
friends is something to celebrate so
come on
number five girls just want to have fun
Cyndi Lauper anybody with an older
and/or young sister knows the undeniable
power of this Cyndi Lauper song
it’s perfect for the slumber parties and
light-hearted pillow fights and it’s
also made college girls go nuts at 80s
themed house parties all right
so we know you boys might have trouble
connecting to the song’s lyrics but the
songs infectious beat will sure have you
bobbing your head it’s an anthem of
female empowerment for ladies all over
the world and it puts you in the mood
for an all-out frenzy of a dance
performance
number four I want to dance with
somebody who loves me Whitney Houston
here’s a fun fact this puppy dance
number was originally written as a
country song but after Whitney Houston
expressed interest I wanna dance with
somebody was restructured and released
as the lead single from the divas second
album
the title says it all this girl needs to
unleash the beast and dance it out the
song will forever lead people directly
to the dance floor while the music video
is simply a marvel in itself
number three super freak Rick James you
can’t touch the freaky nature of this
Rick James classic younger mojo holics
may recognize the beat from MC Hammer’s
1990 Jam you can’t touch this but in the
early 80s Rick James originated the
sound that would make him a funk legend
super freak details the singers thoughts
on a special lady and he recruited uncle
Melvin Franklin of the temptations to
provide backup vocals along with the
rest of the crew today this song remains
a musical treasure to behold and then
there’s the music video which one must
simply watch to believe
number two holiday Madonna produced by
jellybean Vanitas
this pop class had became the breakout
hits for a 25 year old singer named
Madonna Louise Ciccone and catapulted
her from obscurity to pop stardom
her accessible pop sound became a huge
success but of course her music videos
were on a whole other level holiday
became essential listening for the
children of the 80s and grown women
continued to scream out every time the
song is heard
it’s one of Madonna’s personal favorites
and a definitive dance track of her
immaculate collection of course her 1985
hit into the groove never fails to get
us moving either
before we unveil our top pick here are a
few honorable mentions
dreams are made
number one Billie Jean Michael Jackson
say what you will about Michael Jackson
but no one can deny his influence on
dance music and certainly no one could
bust a move like the King of Pop while
the musical production of Billie Jean’s
boasts the perfect vibe for dance floor
boogies it was MJ’s 1983 live
performance that stunned the world and
inspired a new generation of dancers
so you think you can dance Michael
Jackson offered up a master class on
live television and instantly proved
that Billie Jean had become the ultimate
80s dance song of course he also
released a beaded and thriller to
further establish himself as the boss of
the dance floor
so do you regret with our list which
songs get yo booty movin
for more musical top 10s published every
day be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com
unforgettable dances welcome to
watchmojo.com and today we’ll be
counting down our picks for the top 10
dance songs of the 1980s for this list
we’re featuring dance songs that were
released between January 1st 1980 and
December 31st 1989 it’s not necessarily
about the dance songs per se but songs
that you can dance to number 10 it takes
to Rob base and DJ EZ rock in an era
that produced the Golden Age of hip hop
and allowed b-boys to get funky on the
streets with sweat suits and gold chains
this duo created arguably one of the
greatest hip-hop tracks of all time it
takes to contains all of the essential
ingredients to kick off any legitimate
dance party on one hand you have the
Fresh Beat by Rob base and DJ EZ rock
and then they hit you with an infectious
chorus to get your body moving like a
dancefloor maniac
it’s okay if you don’t know the words
just wave your hands in the air and
pretend like you know how to get down
number 9 Funkytown lips inc ah can you
hear that can you hear that synthesizer
that’s when you know it’s time to boogie
while the Minneapolis band lips Inc
released their debut album in 1979 this
single hit the radio in March of 1980
and kicked off the decade with a healthy
groove with repetitive lyrics of won’t
you take me to Funkytown anybody with a
general sense of rhythm can holler out
oh I’m already there right before they
bite their lip and get wild
number eight push it
salt and pepper drop that beat
spinderella because it’s about to get
sexy all up in hair with one of the most
instantly recognizable beats ever
created
salt and pepper created a groovy
sensation when they released this track
in 1987 the concept of push it is clear
all you fly mothers got to get up off
that thing and bust a move
sure it’s always crucial to understand
the lyrics have a great dance song but
it’s also important to convey a little
attitude and this track brings out the
sass in everybody
number seven pump up the jam
Technotronic sort lee before the
beginning of the 90s a group from
Belgium released a joint that became a
popular house phenomenon in the United
States complemented by the raw vocals of
yeah kid K pop up the jam has a fresh to
death beat that will make you say oh
hell yes and help you get into the
groove okay the music video may cause
some to experience seizures but
Technotronic contribution to the dance
world inspired future musicians and
might have even gotten your grandma to
unveil some old timey dance moves
this track was such a success it found
its way to the Fresh Prince of bel-air
and who can forget Chris Farley’s poetic
ice-skating number with Nancy Kerrigan
on Saturday Night Live Oh
pump up the jam pop up the dam they will
number six celebration cool in the game
we all know that special someone who
refuses to dance
unless this song blasts through the
speakers
a celebration lasts throughout the year
and it usually happens at a wedding
reception originally released in late
1980 celebration has become a party
anthem for good times and laughter too
who cares if the lyrics aren’t deep or
thought-provoking all that matters is
that Kool & the Gang wants to party hard
with the entire world and that my
friends is something to celebrate so
come on
number five girls just want to have fun
Cyndi Lauper anybody with an older
and/or young sister knows the undeniable
power of this Cyndi Lauper song
it’s perfect for the slumber parties and
light-hearted pillow fights and it’s
also made college girls go nuts at 80s
themed house parties all right
so we know you boys might have trouble
connecting to the song’s lyrics but the
songs infectious beat will sure have you
bobbing your head it’s an anthem of
female empowerment for ladies all over
the world and it puts you in the mood
for an all-out frenzy of a dance
performance
number four I want to dance with
somebody who loves me Whitney Houston
here’s a fun fact this puppy dance
number was originally written as a
country song but after Whitney Houston
expressed interest I wanna dance with
somebody was restructured and released
as the lead single from the divas second
album
the title says it all this girl needs to
unleash the beast and dance it out the
song will forever lead people directly
to the dance floor while the music video
is simply a marvel in itself
number three super freak Rick James you
can’t touch the freaky nature of this
Rick James classic younger mojo holics
may recognize the beat from MC Hammer’s
1990 Jam you can’t touch this but in the
early 80s Rick James originated the
sound that would make him a funk legend
super freak details the singers thoughts
on a special lady and he recruited uncle
Melvin Franklin of the temptations to
provide backup vocals along with the
rest of the crew today this song remains
a musical treasure to behold and then
there’s the music video which one must
simply watch to believe
number two holiday Madonna produced by
jellybean Vanitas
this pop class had became the breakout
hits for a 25 year old singer named
Madonna Louise Ciccone and catapulted
her from obscurity to pop stardom
her accessible pop sound became a huge
success but of course her music videos
were on a whole other level holiday
became essential listening for the
children of the 80s and grown women
continued to scream out every time the
song is heard
it’s one of Madonna’s personal favorites
and a definitive dance track of her
immaculate collection of course her 1985
hit into the groove never fails to get
us moving either
before we unveil our top pick here are a
few honorable mentions
dreams are made
number one Billie Jean Michael Jackson
say what you will about Michael Jackson
but no one can deny his influence on
dance music and certainly no one could
bust a move like the King of Pop while
the musical production of Billie Jean’s
boasts the perfect vibe for dance floor
boogies it was MJ’s 1983 live
performance that stunned the world and
inspired a new generation of dancers
so you think you can dance Michael
Jackson offered up a master class on
live television and instantly proved
that Billie Jean had become the ultimate
80s dance song of course he also
released a beaded and thriller to
further establish himself as the boss of
the dance floor
so do you regret with our list which
songs get yo booty movin
for more musical top 10s published every
day be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com
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