Is Todayβs Dance Music a Flop? Which Decade Had the Best Beats?
(Title image by DALL-E 3)
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Are You A Dancer?
Last night, my wife and I decided to grab a bite to eat at this club down by the beach. The food is always good, and my wife loves that the DJ spins a wild mix of tunes from all erasβone moment it's disco, the next it's a 90s throwback, and then suddenly you're in the middle of an EDM set!
She loves to dance, and we always end up hopping onto the dance floor to try out a few moves. And by "try out a few moves," I mean me doing my best not to step on her toes while she looks like sheβs having the time of her life.
That's what happens when you marry a girl who's 16 years younger than you! Lol π
Still, it's a pretty good dealβgreat food, good music, and a chance to have a little fun in the process!
I actually used to play guitar in a band there on the weekends when I was in college back in the late 1970s. Those were some good times!
How Dance Music Has Changed
Dance music has always been about having fun and getting people to move, but the style has changed a lot over the years. Each decade has its own kind of magic, and everyone has their favorite. Some people love the classic beats from the past, while others like the new, exciting sounds in clubs today.
Dance Music Over the Years
Whether you love the old classics or todayβs hottest hits, each decade has its own style that makes it special.
The Late 50s and 60s
In the late 1950s and 60s, dance music was all about rock 'n' roll, Motown, and the twist. The music was upbeat and full of energy, with artists like Chubby Checker, The Supremes, and The Beatles getting everyone on their feet. This was the era of dance crazesβthe Twist, the Mashed Potato, and the Watusi were all the rage. My mother tried to teach us how to do these dances when we were kids!
People gathered at high school dances, sock hops, and local clubs to show off their moves. The 60s were about freedom, expression, and having a good time, and the dance music of the era reflected that spirit perfectly. My band played at high school dances, and it was always a blast!
The 70s
In the 70s, disco was everywhere. It was all about groovy beats, flashy outfits, and getting everyone on the dance floor. Artists like Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, and Chic created unforgettable anthems that still get people moving today. Disco wasn't just about the music; it was about the whole atmosphere - the lights, the glitter, and the carefree energy that made every night feel like a party.
The 80s
The 80s brought a whole new sound to dance music with electronic and synth-based beats. This decade saw the rise of new wave and synth-pop, with artists like Depeche Mode, Madonna, and Michael Jackson.
The synthesizer played a huge role in shaping the sound of 80s dance music, giving it a futuristic feel that made parties and dance floors come alive. The 80s were all about energy, color, and a sense of fun that made dancing feel larger than life!
The 90s
The 90s took dance music in several directions at once. This decade mixed pop, house music, and hip-hop to create a diverse dance scene. Tracks from artists like The Prodigy, Haddaway, and Snap! made people want to move, while the influence of hip-hop brought a new edge to the dance floors.
House music, especially, became a staple in clubs around the world, with its deep basslines and repetitive beats that made dancing irresistible. The 90s also saw the rise of rave culture, with huge dance events that celebrated the freedom and unity that music could bring.
The 2000s
In the 2000s, pop and EDM began to dominate the dance music scene. The music was louder, the beats were faster, and artists like David Guetta, Daft Punk, and Rihanna became household names. EDM, in particular, brought a festival-like energy to dance music, with powerful drops and buildups that got everyone jumping.
The 2000s are also marked by collaborations between pop stars and DJs, which helped bring dance music into the mainstream and made it a key part of popular culture. Clubs during this era have a whole new energy, driven by booming bass and anthemic choruses that defined a generation of partygoers.
Can Musicians Dance?
Ever watch a musician dance? As a guitar player, I'm usually more interested in what's happening with the music, especially if it's being performed by a live band!
What guitar, amp, and effects is the guitarist using? Why is the guitar player using a second-inversion chord instead of putting the root in the bass? Are the musicians any good? Lol
Some musicians tend to go through the dance motions in the most basic way as they pick apart the music instead of enjoying it! π
Tell Me What You Think
So, which decade had the best dance music?
Are you a fan of the rock 'n' roll and Motown grooves of the late 50s and 60s, the disco beats of the 70s, the electronic sounds of the 80s, the pop and hip-hop vibes of the 90s, or the EDM hits of the 2000s?
Maybe you love something else!
What makes dance music from a certain decade special to you? Is it the cool beats, the energy it brought to the dance floor, or the good memories that come with those songs?
Do you think dance music has changed because of new technology or shifts in culture?
Are the songs from your favorite decade still the ones that make you want to dance, or have your favorites changed over time?
So, What's Your Favorite Dance Music Decade, And Why?
- Late 50s and 60s
- 70s
- 80s
- 90s
- 2000s
- Other
Let me know in the comments, AND ...
Keep On Rocking It! π€
(Pin by DALL-E 3)
Frank πΈ
~60% Human-written content.
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Recent Comments
46
Great post Frank,
For me, it was the mid-70s into the 80s, although I do like listening to some 60s stuff however I wasn't old enough then to appreciate it.
The 90s onwards for me doesn't have any substance and will not be remembered 20 or 30 years down the road.
Mick
Great post, Frank! I do believe that the 2010s and 2020s had very few selections. I just can't wait to see what the next generation of music will be like, until then, I like all kinds of music with a beat especially from the 60s, 70s, & 80s! π
Myra β₯οΈ
Hey Frank
You knew I'd jump on this one! Haha
As a person who has spent most of my years getting people to dance, I haven't danced a lot myself.....which is probably good! π€£π€£
In my opinion, the disco era was more about dancing than any other, but that is only my opinion.
As you know, I am a rocker through and through, but I still have a great appreciaition for many genres of music. Even though rock isn't the first thing you think about when discussing dancing, we could always pack the dance floor when playing tunes like You Shook Me All Night Long and Rebell Yell.
Any way you slice it, music was the greatest thing ever created, in my opinion. πΆπ΅π
Keep Rockin Everyone!! π€ππΈ
Tim πΌ
Hi Tim
Yeah, I totally agree with you! π
You can dance to practically anything, but certain songs tend to pull people out on the dance floor.
When we played the battle of the bands (which my band always won - Hahaha!) and dances in high school, we knew what songs would get the audience excited, which were not always the songs we wanted to play.
Not many people are going to want to dance to Astronomy Domine by Pink Floyd, Lol! π
I remember when Disco put a lot of the local rock bands out of business. Luckily, music has always been just a hobby, so I escaped that.
Music is the greatest thing ever created! π
Rock On! π€
Frank πΈ
That was a fun run-through of the music we lived by.
It's all good, and yes, some are better than others!
Yes, your encouragement is proven out for the Polls and
Questions engaging people!
Thanks, Frank, for helping me remember it.
Sami
You're welcome, Shelly. π
Yeah, music and dance enrich our mind, body, and spirit! π
Frank πΈ
Hi Frank!
I was never much of a dancing kind of guy: two left feet and ugly shoes! π€£π€£
But since you brought up dancing, how about the Trump dance to the song YMCA. I wonder what genre he really grooves to? LOL
Hi Howard
Yeah, I saw that, too Lol! π
https://youtu.be/Zph7YXfjMhg
(Not a political comment or opinion on my behalf; it's just a fun video)
Rock On! π€
Frank πΈ
Hi Frank! I know rap music doesn't count, but Break-Dancing caught fire in the early 80s. I know it was short lived, but there's still a niche and following to this day.
I memorized every move from John Travolta to MJ, and the street moves at our block parties - moonwalking, the snake, the worm, the windmill, and handstands that almost broke my neck! That was the time to call it quits.
There were a variety of flavors in the club scenes in the 80s and 90s, from freestyle, house music, new jack swing, remixes, and early versions of techno and eurodance that would later evolve into EDM - predominantly in NYC, Miami, LA and Europe.
Unfortunately, I'm too old for clubbin' now, and my ears are extremely sensitive to loud sounds.
I obviously favor the eighties, my childhood decade, but I have the 70s and 90s in second place tie.
Appreciate the post! πΈπ€
Isaiah π
Hi Isaiah
WOW, you really mastered break-dancing in all its various styles! That's awesome! ππ
In the 80s and 90s, I was stuck in hospitals most nights, doing my medical training.
You're never too old for clubbin; just enjoy it in a different way. π
The hyperacusis is probably from noise exposure. Luckily, I wore ear protection during all the years I played music way too loud.
Frank π€πΈ
Thanks, Frank. I seem to have the same issue at the movies. I've been tempted to place cotton in my ears - particularly if it's in IMAX.
The first half-hour of "Oppenheimer" vibrated through me with its deep bass, and although "Interstellar" was great, it was LOUD in certain parts. I'm not sure if Hans Zimmmer was the composer or not.
I thought about wearing ear plugs going forward for anything in IMAX. Or maybe I should settle for dolby sound. π€
Hi Isaiah
In the center channel signal path of my home movie theater I use a compressor-limiter to keep the sound level constant and control the volume spike threshold, as well as a BBE Sonic Maximizer to synchronize the harmonic overtones.
For the movie theater, I recommend using a set of "high-definition" earplugs. We haven't been to a movie theater in quite a while, but I doubt the sound has improved in quality. Lol
My home theater is IMAX certified. π
You probably need to keep the volume level at 60 dB or below.
Frank π€πΈ
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As far as dancing goes, I think the 50's, 60's & 70's have some of the best music to dance to, although much of it was before my time. Even though, who doesn't know the Twist, the Mashed Potato, and the Watusi.
There was a local place in the late 70's where I lived called "The Sober Duck Disco". My friends talked me into going there once, although I don't remember dancing. It was a cool place to hang out to make us youngsters feel grown up. I remember they sold 'near beer', although I didn't try it.
Later in my teens I leaned towards the heavy metal genre, which isn't always the best music to dance to. Although Angus Young could rock the duckwalk just as good as Chuck Berry.
Hi Cynthia
I loved those same decades, plus the early to mid-80s! π
Great musical memories are more precious than gold! Lol
Yeah, Angus can do a mean duck walk and spin around on the stage floor like The Three Stooges, all while playing some outrageously good guitar! π
Roc On! π€
Frank πΈ