Alternative Dance Music: Get the Party Started without Pop
Is there a place for alternative music on the dance floor? In a word, yes. While not generally associated with the music on most dance party playlists, alternative music should not be deemed an unsuitable resource.
There are lots of alternative songs out there that are more than worthy of dancing to, and some have much more passion to them than most generically made pop songs.
Electronica and pop are much more likely to dominate the playlist at most dance related functions. The music heard at most weddings and parties are usually classic pop songs, while the clubs and raves are filled with pulsating electronica or repetitive techno music. Getting people out on the dance floor by way of alternative music, is a fresh and unexpected way to get the party started without playing pop.
Get Up and Dance
Here is a list of alternative songs to get the party moving. The song Shake It by Metro Station is a catchy high energy tune teetering on pop, but makes for a good first song choice. There’s not too much depth to the lyrics, and alternative fans either seem to love this song or hate it. Either way, it does have that compelling toe tapping beat that makes people want to get up and dance.
- Rock Lobster – The B52’s
- Rush – Big Audio Dynamite
- Rock the Casbah – The Clash
- Hot Hot Hot – The Cure
- Feel Good Inc. – The Gorillaz
- El Matador – Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
- Shake It – Metro Station
- Blue Monday – New Order
- Blitzkrieg Bop – The Ramones
- Higher Ground – The Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Shut Up and Let Me Go – The Ting Tings
- A-Punk – Vampire Weekend
- Blister In the Sun – The Violent Femmes
Keep the Party Going
Once the party gets going, keep the party going with more alternative music. Not many dance party guests can resist dancing to MGMT’s Electric Feel. It’s got a captivating groove that makes people want to stay out on the dance floor. Here’s some more song choices worthy of dancing to.
- Dirty Little Secret – The All American Rejects
- Where It’s At – Beck
- This Is Radio Clash – The Clash
- Just Like Heaven – The Cure
- Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
- I Don’t Care – Fall Out Boy
- I Don’t Wanna Be In Love – Good Charlotte
- Holiday – Green Day
- Here (In Your Arms) – Hellogoodbye
- Real Wild Child – Iggy Pop
- Human – The Killers
- Electric Feel – MGMT
- Supermassive Black Hole – Muse
- Bizarre Love Triangle – New Order
- Dance Challenge – No-Fi Soul Rebellion
- Give It Away – The Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
- Last Nite – The Strokes
Songs for Rocking Out or Moshing
Looking for something to slamdance to? Anarchy In the U.K. by the Sex Pistols is a solid choice. For headbanging alternative music to rock out to, Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit is a good pick.
- Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
- Dance Hall Music – The Murder City Devils
- Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
- Video Killed the Radio Star – The Presidents of The United States of America
- Anarchy In the U.K. – The Sex Pistols
- Blast Your Dance Music – WRENCH
No matter what kind of dancing is on the agenda, there is something in the alternative genre for just about anyone. Have fun choosing some of these alternative songs to put on the party playlist, it will be an exhilarating departure from pop.
