I love to dance. Seriously, once I get going you literally cannot stop me. I also don’t drink alcohol anymore so I don’t even need to be a bit tipsy to get my groove on. I also dance at home, alone, a lot. What? Don’t you judge me.
I wish I was one of those amazing girls who moves around like her limbs are attached by elastic and then sits back down again with perfect make up. I’m the other type of girl- the one who gets up and slams her feet into the floor and wiggles her hips, leaves the dance floor soaked in sweat with a hairdo that looks like a modern art sculpture
These are the songs that will always get me up and dancing- despite everything- blistered feet and tiredness are meaningless when a DJ spins these songs.
The Temptations- Get Ready
I went to a soul disco and I love, love, love this song. It’s also Jeremy Clarkson’s favourite song. This is debatable as to whether it’s a good thing or not, but I actually love Jeremy. He’s hilarious. Anyway, this song is a master of soul music, and demands that the entire room gets up and starts spinning around.
Bananarama- Robert De Niro’s Waiting
I had the most amusing moment of my life watching my boyfriend singing every word to this song on a long car journey. I love Bananarama, the original girl band, they were sensational. This is my favourite song of theirs and you can rely on most bad wedding DJ’s to play this. It’s a brilliant song and my and my friend had handbags on the floor as we sang along.
Andrea True Connection- More More More
I am a bit of a 70’s disco addict, I’ll admit it. I love this song- famously sampled in 1990’s weird hit “Steal My Sunshine” by Len. This is the original and a total dance favourite. “How do you like your love?”
Madonna- Material Girl
This is the one song that will always find me in front of the mirror with a hairbrush. I even dance with my back-up dancers. (I spent a lot of time alone.) This is classic Madonna at her most fabulous, and I will always love it. “The boy with the cold hard cash, is always Mr Right.”
Dexy’s Midnight Runners- Come On Eileen
Ever been to a wedding where they haven’t played this? Precisely. And that is because every single person from your inebriatedNanto your pervy Uncle will dance to this.
Billy Idol- Dancing With Myself
An absolute must for secret at home dancers like me. Put on your sunglasses and socks and have a slide on the floor- there is never a bad time for “Risky Business” style dancing.
Tupac and Dr Dre-California Love
I always used to listen to this song before I went out. It may explain why my make up made me look like a Picasso as I got a bit too far into singing “NOW LET ME WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THE WILD WILD WEST”
Living Joy- I’m A Dreamer
This used to be the first song they played every single Saturday when me and my friends would go to the same bar. It got everyone on the (tiny) dance floor. It’s funny how much dance music is made nowadays and yet this one is still a total classic and gets everyone up on their feet.
The Source ft Candi Staton- You Got The Love
This is the weirdest song to try and dance to. My favourite nightclub in town (now sadly closed down) used to do a weird mash-up with this and Kylie Minogue that actually worked really well. This song has a funny stop-and-start rhythm and watching a room full of very drunk people trying to figure it out is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.
Heaven 17- Temptation
My favourite DJ at the old nightclub would always play this one. I love how much people get into this. The nightclub floor lit up like in the video for Billy Jean and the ceiling was made of mirrors- it was brilliant how the entire dance floor used to sing this song to the mirrored ceiling, while the floor lit up. Those are some good memories!
Dizzee Rascal- Dirty Disco
I danced and sang this song on a float in a parade. Just don’t ask. I was on my seventh jug of Pimms.
Iggy Pop- Lust for Life
The alternative disco at our local rock club always plays this song to kick off. It’s brilliant. You can’t move for people jumping on top of each other.
Friendly Fires- Skeleton Boy
This is an “I’ve got to go out but I’m really tired song”. I can’t put it on and not dance to it- it has a melody that just begs for it. I’ve got it on now and it turns out you can type and dance.
Wham- Pretty much every song they ever did
You know it makes sense
The Smiths- This Charming Man
Me and my friend danced to this when we saw Mike Joyce DJ’ing. Yes, Mike Joyce from The Smiths. No big deal. *screams*
Rizzle Kicks- Mama Do The Hump
Oh, be quiet. It’s a great song and you know it is.
Earth Wind & Fire- September
There is not a person walking this earth who does not want to dance to this song. Fact.
Duran Duran- Hungry Like The Wolf
Ah, this is me and my brother, drunk out of our minds in Reflex inBirmingham. A revolving dance floor and seventeen cocktails is a poor combination but it didn’t stop us getting funky. I was alarmed to note how similar our dance style is.
The Cure- Friday I’m In Love
I hope everyone caught the BBC3 broadcast of their set at Reading Festival – weren’t they incredible? This is always on at the indie disco, regardless of what day it is, and the dance floor is a sea of girls holding hands and whirling round and round. Me and my best friend had a ridiculously lovely moment, holding hands and spinning at arms length. Sweet.
Degrees of Motion- Shine On
The 90’s absolutely ruled dance music. I went to a nightclub and this was the first song in the DJ’s set. I ran up to him and screamed in his face “I LOVE YOU” and he gave me a lollipop. True story.
Inner City- Pennies From Heaven
As above, minus the lollipop. A total triumph of the acid house generation- “Let’s make the peace my sisters and brothers, reach out a hand, touch each and everyone.”
Gloria Gaynor- I Will Survive
I can’t listen to this song without feeling a little queasy as I spent a night in my friends flat drinking cherry Lambrini, ALL night. But still, it’s a fabulous song and a female anthem.
