As we delve into the vibrant world of dance music, let's take a moment to revisit and appreciate the top dance songs of 2016. This year was a treasure trove of infectious beats, captivating melodies, and innovative rhythms that set the dance floor ablaze. Here, we've compiled a list of the most influential and popular dance tracks of 2016, categorized by their respective genres to provide a well-rounded musical journey.
Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
EDM continued its dominance in 2016, with producers pushing the boundaries of sound design and composition. Here are some of the year's standout tracks:
- David Guetta ft. Sia - "This Could Be Us": A captivating blend of pop and EDM, this track showcased Guetta's ability to create anthemic hits that transcend genres.
- The Chainsmokers - "Closer": This breakthrough single from the American duo became an inescapable summer anthem, topping charts worldwide and solidifying their status as pop-EDM royalty.
- Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha - "In The Name Of Love": Garrix's signature big-room sound paired with Rexha's powerful vocals resulted in a dance-pop gem that dominated airwaves and festivals alike.
Deep House & Future House
Deep house and future house saw a resurgence in 2016, with artists crafting intricate, emotive tracks that kept dance floors moving and heads nodding.
- Duke Dumont - "I Got U" (ft. Jax Jones): Although released in 2015, this deep house gem continued to make waves in 2016, showcasing Dumont's knack for creating timeless, feel-good anthems.
- Oliver Heldens & Shaun Frank - "Shades Of Grey": Heldens' future house sound evolved with this collaboration, resulting in a track that expertly blended deep house influences with his signature, uplifting melodies.
Trap & Bass House
Trap and bass house continued to grow in popularity, with producers incorporating heavier influences from hip-hop, UK garage, and other bass-heavy genres.
- Flux Pavilion & DJ Fresh - "Killer": This high-energy collaboration combined Flux Pavilion's signature dubstep-infused sound with DJ Fresh's bass house expertise, resulting in a track that decimated dance floors worldwide.
- AC Slater - "Take You Back (feat. Chromeo)": Slater's bass house sound evolved with this funky, Chromeo-assisted track, which became a staple in DJ sets and festivals throughout the year.
Dance-Pop Crossover Hits
2016 saw numerous dance-pop crossover hits that dominated charts and airwaves. Here are a few standouts:
- Rihanna - "Work": This reggae-infused dancehall track became an inescapable summer anthem, topping charts worldwide and solidifying Rihanna's status as a dance music icon.
- Justin Timberlake - "Can't Stop The Feeling!": This feel-good, disco-inspired track became an instant classic, soundtracking countless weddings, parties, and events throughout the year.
Top Dance Albums of 2016
In addition to standout singles, 2016 also brought us numerous exceptional dance albums. Here's a table highlighting some of the year's most notable releases:
| Artist | Album Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| David Guetta | Listen | November 25, 2016 |
| Major Lazer | Music Is the Weapon (The Remixes) | April 1, 2016 |
| Deadmau5 | while(1<2) | December 2, 2016 |
| Calvin Harris | Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 | June 30, 2017 |
As we look back on 2016, it's clear that the dance music landscape was as vibrant and diverse as ever. From EDM anthems to deep house gems, trap bangers to dance-pop crossover hits, the year was filled with unforgettable tracks that continue to inspire and influence dance music today. Here's to another year of incredible dance music – let's keep the party going!