Dance Party, anyone?

Sorry for being quiet lately. The past few weeks have been insane. After getting back to my real life after attending this awesome collegian Lutheran theology retreat, life got seriously busy. My aunt was in the hospital so I had lots of family around. Also, I've been busy with getting things ready for the up coming semester. Not to mention, I've spent the past week and a half working on this list. I'm all about taking my time and revising.

Now for those who don't know, I'm a 21 year old college girl. While I am known for not liking "mainstream" sort of stuff, (Usually, I like stuff that ends up becoming the mainstream) I do have a weakness for danceable pop music and some hip hop.

I know some of you will cringe. I work at a college radio station, so I'm used to it. No matter what I say or do, I get flack from all the DJs about my "taste" in music. Who knew there was so much hate about Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys.

Cutting to the chase now... I am now going to present you my favorites of 2006 in terms of Dance music. I could say these are guilty pleasures, but is it really? I'm not ashamed of this list honestly. For once in years, I'm actually enjoying some of the stuff that is on the radio. (That's right Chris, I still listen to WINC fm sometimes...)

My Top 20 Dance songs/singles for 2006:

1. Nelly Furtado- Promiscuous

I love Ms. Furtado. She writes smart lyrics and has lots of talent. Her last album was a let down because it didn't go anywhere. Radio wouldn't touch it because it was too wide spread. This time, she got super smart and started working with her friend's producer... Missy Elliot introduced her to Timbaland a few years ago. The result has been one of the best dance albums I've heard in a long time. As for this single, it's hot. The lyrics are sarcastic ("Roses are red/Some diamonds are blue/Chivalry is dead/But you're still kinda cute") and at times sprinkled with sharp cultural references ("Hey is that the truth or are you talking trash/Is your game M.V.P. like Steve Nash"). The one huge bonus about this song is the fact it sounds like Nelly Furtado and not Aaliyah. (see Number 3 and you'll understand) The best part about this song is that this song has a little something for everyone. The hipsters love the 80's retro sounds, the urban crowd enjoys the beats and the rapping, the pop crowd digs the melodies. It makes sense to why it's been played on various radio stations and in all sorts of dance clubs.

2. Scissor Sisters- I Don't Feel Like Dancing

What do you get when you take early Elton John, gospel meets disco dance grooves with tinges of Bee Gee vocals ? You get the first single from the Scissor Sisters' Ta-Dah! (I strongly recommend this album) The irony of this song is delicious. Making a dance song about not feeling like dancing is so brilliant and yet simple, I just wish I thought of it first! As for those gospel grooves, just start listening to the song, it makes you wish an African American choir was singing and clapping their hands with the song. After a few listens to this song, it's hard not to dance and party like it's 1979.

3. Justin Timberlake- My Love/Sexyback (it's a tie)

"Sexyback" was hot and unexpected. From the second I heard it, it became my jam during this past summer. It's the kind of song you can do bad things to while on the dance floor. (Now whether those bad things are awful dancing or getting fresh with a someone, that's up to you.) The song simply is electro-clash meets Prince but with a white boy singing it. It has this sass and attitude that's rather refreshing and lacking in both pop and rock music. The fact that I am even talking about him proves how good it is. I hated *Nsync so much. I still hate it, yet JT's solo work is impressive. Is it because he can actual write songs or is it the production?

Since this is a tie, I have to give props to my other favorite single ("My Love"). The beats and grooves on this song are clever. I remember hearing this song and thinking "Fucking Hell! I wish I thought of this one first..." The thick keyboard grooves sound almost dreamy. It balances very nicely with the hard beats and booming bass. The song has a familiar feeling to it as well. Not just sound wise, but lyrically too. One night while listening to this song, my kid sister made this funny but true insight. She said, "Justin Timberlake is doing an Aaliyah song." She's right. It has the beats, the grooves and the lyrics (well almost replace the references of "be my girl" and make it "be my man" or something). Even the breakdown with TI would have worked well with Aaliyah. I think this theory came about, because we've noticed how Timbaland has this signature sound, which did get important and popularized through Aaliyah's music. He was a huge force in her very short career. Aside from this odd observation, "My Love" is just a killer dance song.


4. Madonna- Get Together/ Jump

How can I have a list of best dance singles of the year without mentioning the Material Girl! I will admit that these two songs were deliberately meant for the club. But when Madonna does dance music, it's fucking brilliant. Terrific grooves and the lyrics have some sort of real emotional meaning. "Jump" has been my motivational anthem for when I do my homework. Laugh, but I've gotten shit done. Unlike the JT and Nelly Furtado singles, Madonna's maxi singles even have terrific remixes, which is a surprise since the album itself sounds like one big dance party remix.


5. Depeche Mode- John The Revelator

Religious hypocrisy + rewriting an old gospel hymn with heavy beats = one of the best dance songs Depeche Mode has released in years. Forget finding a personal jesus, it's all about religious head hunting now. The song hails from 2005's Playing the Angel and the single was released back in June of 2006. It's actual a double Aside maxi single. The other aside is the wonderfully retro and enchanting "Lillian." (Think Music for the Masses era Mode but updated for the 21st century and no cheesy synth hooks either!) As for the remixes, I'd kill to have this single on vinyl. You know it's good when Tiga and UNKLE are involved.

6. The Rapture- Whoo! Alright- Yeah...Uh huh

Robert Smith claims that this band is one of his favorites. I think he likes them because of the cowbell and the fact this band's music is danceable! Their album has even better songs than this single quite honestly. As a single, it's pretty fun on the floor. I'd play this sucker right next to the Scissor Sisters. The lyrics are funny, lots of good snickers. Best line in the song, "People don't dance no more. They just stand there like this. They cross their arms and stare you down and drink and moan and dis." Any band who makes fun of the hipsters (especially the ones who hang out at the Black Cat), gets my vote.

7. Prince- Black Sweat

It's Prince... must I say more? Ghetto beats with the lyrics "You'll be screaming like a white lady, when I count to three" He's not joking either. You too will "work up a black sweat" because it's impossible not to dance to this song.

8. Rihanna- SOS

It's true that a sample can either make or break a song. Jay-Z supposedly flipped the bill for this clever one. It was rumored that the sample came with the hefty price of 500,000 dollars, which might explain why this song is refreshing. Nobody in recent music has sampled Soft Cell's cover of "Tainted Love." As for the substance, I can relate to the song. When you got a crush, you want to call for help!

9. She Wants Revenge- These Things

It's not 100 percent danceable, but who cares. It's got this great rhythm and killer guitar licks, not to mention that gorgeous piano. It's the dance anthem for the broken hearted. Not to mention, you'll make the goth kids and some hipsters happy. The lyrics are dark and moody. Not to mention somewhat profane ("...She's in the bathroom, she pleasures herself"). The vocals are Ian Curtis meets Peter Murphy. Not to mention, the bsides to this EP/single are fucking hot. "Black Liner Run" and "Spend the Night" are instant alternative dance classics.

10. Clipse- Mr. Me Too

This single makes up for all the bad shit Pharell did with Gwen Steffani. According to rumor, the brothers who are Clipse heard some beats Pharell was working on and told him "Hey man, save that shit for Gwen. We deserve better..." As for the song, it has minimal beats but it's perfect for two stepping. It's a laid back jam with lots of attitude. After a four year absence, I think Clipse proved all the kids that they know what they're doing and that they write better rhymes than most of the trash out there today.

11. AFI- Love Like Winter

It's short at less than 3 minutes, but it's giving the punk and hardcore kids something to dance to. I personally would like to hear the VNV Nation remix, that's coming out sometime in 2007. As for the song itself, catchy electro infused rock'n roll. It's a mysterious love song that is catchy and fun to dance and rock out to. About time alternative rock had a dance anthem!

12. Christina Agulera- Ain't No Other Man

I won't lie, the girl has pipes. Unlike so many who try too hard, she does it effortlessly and doesn't over do it either. She deserves a little more credit than what people have said in the past. Christina is classy. Her favorite singer of all time since the age of nine has been Etta James. With that in mind, this song lives up to some standards. The jazz grooves and beats on this song are hard to resist. Not to mention, the sassy attitude and honesty.

13. Kelis- Bossy/ Lil Jon - Snap Yo Fingers (tie)

"Milkshake" was annoying yet a guilty pleasure. This song on the other hand, goes back to her roots. (does anyone remembers "I hate you so much right now"?) Well almost her roots. She's queen bitch with pride. When your husband is Nas, you bet your song is going to sound gangsta as fuck. This is the song the DJ plays because it's a ladies' night. See kids Feminism in rap still exists.

As for "Snap Yo Fingers", it's dance lessons with the king of crunk. What isn't there not to love?

14. The Knife- We Share Our Mother's Health

While they're definitely not ABBA, these two Swedes (they're actually brother and sister) know how to rock the dance floor with their retro synths and "pop'n lock" beats. Yes, you can actual do the robot to this song and it would look cool.

15. Gorillaz- Dare

Gorillaz are awesome alone, but add Shawn Ryder from the Happy Mondays (yes that's him!) and you got yourself a killer song. Not to mention, it gave me a good excuse to make my friends listen to the Happy Mondays.

16. Gnarls Barkley- Crazy

Cee-lo is fucking awesome. Dangermouse is a clever DJ and producer. Together, they're a powerhouse. They did the single that Outkast should have done. Classic grooves and funk. This song could have been released in 1976.


17. Goldfrapp - Ooh la la

Disco glam meets eurotrash with a good helping of T. Rex. You get a sexy, irresistible song that strangely sounds like "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum.

18. Tiga- You gonna want me

He's a DJ who can sing and write very lovely songs. This one in particular has been getting mucho airplay in clubs and at college radio stations. The best way I can describe it is human league mixed with modern New Order. It's got old school elements of damn good synth pop, yet it has a modern feel.

19. Lily Allen- Smile

You may or may not have heard of this one. Lily Allen is from the UK. She's going to be huge here in the states. This song is 1960s soul mixed with British Ska. You can just groove to this song and have fun. The song is also good for those who have been cheated on and seriously can't stand their Ex. It's good to have a song you can dance to and get therapy at the same time.

20. Ludacris featuring Pharell- Money Maker

Another fine hip hop jam from Luda. He knows how to make good songs to dance to. and yes, once again, Pharell makes yet another appearance on this list. Him and Timbaland should have a throw down to see who's the better producer. Oh wait... let's not go there. This is the kind of song that I think James Brown would have dug. (Actually he probably did.) it's a salute to the ladies who dance like crazy on the floor. The beats have this 70s soul feel. Best lyrics "I keep my mind on money, my money on my mind, but you're a hell of a distraction when you're shaking your behind." However, just like all "hardcore" rap music, this song can make you blush.