The Five Best Club-Ready George Michael Anthems
While not specifically a “dance” artist, the now sadly passed George Michael’s music was — and is still — enjoyed on dancefloors worldwide. In the era between 1980-2000, there were impressively very few artists who matched his ability to be able to create pop-as-dance songs that so immediately drove people’s feet to the dance floor worldwide. In honor of his amazing legacy, here are, statistically, his top five dance anthems ever.
5. Freedom ’90 (1990) (PURCHASE HERE)
By 1990, George Michael was entering his second decade as a pop icon and had yet to truly take the next level as a dance music superstar. However, it was with the release of his universally-appealing anthem “Freedom ’90” that he not only achieved club superstar status, but became a music legend on-the-rise. Most significant to “Freedom ’90’s” acclaim is a music video that, in featuring supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford, upon its launch on MTV was a mega-success.
4. Faith (1987) (PURCHASE HERE)
Guitar rock songs aren’t necessarily meant to drive dance floors crazy. However, not all guitar-driven rock songs are “Faith.” Similar to “Freedom ’90,” there’s a video that’s key to “Faith’s” excellence. George Michael morphing from neon-short and “CHOOSE LIFE” t-shirt wearing member of Wham into five o’clock shadow-having, leather jacket, sunglasses and cowboy boot-clad booty-shaking solo star was something else. In the era just past America’s roots rocker-to-dance maniac story Footloose being a huge hit, Michael’s song and look as an US star-maker makes sense.
3. Everything She Wants (1984) (PURCHASE HERE)
’80s Brit-pop duo Wham! were known for making everything from rap to pop during their six-year run. However, it’s their 1984-released tropical soul single “Everything She Wants” that revealed not only Michael’s standout solo voice, but as well the idea that Michael had much more to offer as a singer-songwriter. Production-wise it, alongside songs from the likes of Culture Club and The Police, amazingly showcased the Carribean influence on UK pop. It’s a (somewhat) hidden gem of a song that is absolutely deserving of praise.
2. I Want Your Sex (1986) (PURCHASE HERE)
Most pop songs about hooking up don’t include the lyric “sex is best when it’s one on one” to imply that monogamy is best. But, then again, most pop stars aren’t at George Michael’s level of appeal to both sexes in 1986. “I Want Your Sex” is Michael’s post-Wham! solo debut, and did everything to distance him from the finger-snapping pop of his former group. A top-ten dance song in every country in which it charted, it set a standard that he oftentimes met and amazingly enough, exceeded, during his career.
1. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1985) (PURCHASE HERE)
In 1965, Motown legends Smokey Robinson and The Miracles released “Going To A Go-Go.” 20 years later, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley mirrored that song’s style and feel for “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” There’s something in how the 1985 song’s saxophones and guitars hop out of the speakers and attack the emotions of the listener that makes it a winner. Throw the brightest of pop vocals on top and it’s a next-level Michael smash that set the table for everything that followed.
Top 10 EDM Hits Of The 2000s and 2010s
In the 2000s and present era, electronic dance music (EDM) has evolved from being a hard electro take on underground house music to being arguably the most popular of all global pop music sounds. At our club Decades, we celebrate this era on our 2000s floor. Therefore, prior to everyone coming out to the club or just settling in with some throwback hits, we decided to put together a list taken from a series of thoughts from leading DJs, writers, the Billboard charts and more to highlight the best 10 EDM hits of the 2000s and 2010s! Enjoy!
10. Daft Punk – One More Time (2001) (PURCHASE HERE)
Though it’s one of the major hits from Daft Punk’s 2001 album Discovery, “One More Time” combines disco, house, and mainstream pop in a way that’s ultimately become Daft Punk’s signature sound. Voted by Mixmag Magazine readers as the number one dance song of all time, it set the expectation for all of the trance, electro house, and big room smash hits to come. Whether it’s the filtered synths, thumping bassline, or melodic lead vocal, it’s iconic.
9. Justice vs. Simian Mobile Disco – We Are Your Friends (2006) (PURCHASE HERE)
Prior to 2006, Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford and James Shaw were half of English rock band Simian. As Simian Mobile Disco though, “We Are Your Friends” was their biggest hit. The song is a joint remix of SMD’s song “Never Be Alone” alongside Justice, the Ed Banger Records tandem that would go onto becoming major electro superstars. Soaring, booming, and banging its way into our collective eardrums, it’s a hit single that set the stage for so much more that followed.
8. Basement Jaxx – Where’s Your Head At (2000) (PURCHASE HERE)
UK-based electronica duo Bassment Jaxx’s 2001 album Rooty included pre-massive festival revival-era electro party starter “Where’s Your Head At?” The searing and razor-sharp sounding dance track had massive crossover success in the United States, where it was a hit on modern rock radio. Still a jam that gets dusted off not just at Decades here in DC but at massive parties worldwide, it’s more than earned its spot on this list.
7. Eric Prydz – Call On Me (2004) (PURCHASE HERE)
Steve Winwood’s 1982 pop hit “Valerie” influenced the creation of Swedish house kingpin Eric Prydz’s 2004 smash “Call On Me.” Known just as much for its immediately connective sound as well as a video featuring scantily clad women in leotards doing aerobics, it’s the song that truly made Prydz a global household name. Impressively, when When Prydz presented the track to Winwood, he was so impressed with what Prydz had done, that he re-recorded the vocals to fit the track better.
6. Swedish House Mafia – Don’t You Worry Child (2013) (PURCHASE HERE)
Epic and swelling builds, John Martin’s massive vocals, and booming electro-pop melodies combined on Swedish House Mafia’s 2013 hit. A Grammy-nominated song for Best Dance Recording, it’s the last official hit released by Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell, and Steve Angello as a trio. A top 10 crossover pop hit in 30 countries, it’s sold seven million singles and has been streamed nearly eight million times.
5. Deadmau5 feat. Rob Swire – Ghosts N Stuff (2009) (PURCHASE HERE)
One of the more instantaneously connective electro tracks of the EDM era is deadmau5’s 2008 banger “Ghosts N Stuff.” Alongside Rob Swire, the producer best known for performing while wearing a giant mouse-head mask originally made the song for his live DJ set on Pete Tong’s BBC Radio 1 Essential Selection radio program. Amazingly enough, it wasn’t until nearly eight years later on Halloween 2016 that the song reached platinum-selling status.
4. Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (2010) (PURCHASE HERE)
“Yes, oh my gosh!”
Yes, oh my gosh indeed, as this 2010-released dubstep bomb from LA-based DJ/producer extraordinaire Skrillex ushered in an Americanized take on the long-dominant UK sound. This one isn’t necessarily dance-floor material, but if you’ve been to any festivals or massive EDM arena shows in the past half decade, the idea of moshing or shuffling instead of anything resembling busting a move to his music makes sense. Still, “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” established not just Skrillex but heavy bass music in the United States for years to come.
3. Calvin Harris – Feel So Close (2011) (PURCHASE HERE)
In the past 10 years, Calvin Harris has released four top 10 albums, 22 top 10 singles, and worked with the likes of Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Kylie Minogue, David Guetta, Fatboy Slim, plus more. However, it’s his solo-credited 2011 single “Feel So Close” that sold 10 million singles and was his breakout global smash. Still to this day, the trance-like vibes of the production stand out and alongside Harris’ vocal makes the track a standout heater.
2. DJ Snake feat. Lil Jon – Turn Down For What (2013) (PURCHASE)
Atlanta-based trap OG rapper/producer Lil Jon joined with instantaneous hit-making French trap producer DJ Snake for 2013 festival and top-40 radio anthem “Turn Down For What.” Following in the wake of the viral craze that surrounded Baauer’s “Harlem Shake,” this wild trap anthem cemented rap’s most popular place for quite some time within the world of dance in the EDM era and beyond.
1. Avicii – Levels (2011) (PURCHASE)
Nearly 10 million singles sold or streamed. Number one in 15 countries. Official remixes from Skrillex and Cazzette, unofficial remixes from what feels like an entire generation of EDM producers. Etta James’ 1962 single, “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” is sampled here, and gives the song an overall soulful vibe that makes it truly stand out. Avicii could easily be the biggest star of the EDM era, and it’s a song like this that truly makes him a standout forever.
Top Five Pop/Dance Fusion Hits Of The ’90s
Decades — DC’s only retro-themed nightclub — has three floors, it’s the 90s floor with its arcade room and black-lighted wall art that truly excited many of the club’s patrons in the club’s debut month. Alongside the decor and unique activities, the music as well has blown people away. Regarding the music, the 90s were actually not the biggest-selling era for pop/dance music. However, the top-selling dance songs from the 90s may be some of the most beloved dance songs of the modern era. Within the top five songs, there’s a mix of floor-fillers, sing-alongs and well-beloved guilty pleasures.
5. Ace of Base – The Sign (purchase here)
#1 single in 8 countries, 2 million singles sold
Swedish pop dynamos Ace of Base had a huge 1994, placing three songs in America’s top ten songs of the year. “The Sign” was the #1 overall hit of the year, as well as a top 10 single of the decade overall. Denniz Pop, the song’s producer, crafted hits for not just Ace of Base, but the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and N’Sync. When a song is so popular that it’s appeared on shows including South Park, American Dad, Full House, and more, it’s on another level as a pop smash.
4. Ace of Base – Don’t Turn Around (purchase here)
#1 single in 11 countries, 2.5 million singles sold
Ace of Base’s second massive hit of 1994 was “Don’t Turn Around,” which, amazingly enough, has a prior history some five years prior. The dancehall-style synth pop that drives the track isn’t by accident. In 1988, the song was a #1 UK hit for British reggae quartet Aswad. As well, it’s written by eight-time Academy Award-nominated, Grammy, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning, six-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year songwriter Diane Warren. With that pedigree, there’s no wonder why the Swedes’ take was so popular.
3. Los Del Rio – Macarena (purchase here)
#1 single in 13 countries, 6 million singles sold
What you may call a “cheesy dance song” Billboard ranks as the number 7 All-Time on its list of Top 100 songs, as well as number 1 on Billboard’s All-Time Latin songs. Wikipedia refers to the single as “one of the most iconic examples of 1990s dance music.” Furthermore, it was an international top-10 hit in 1995, 1996, and 1997. From weddings, parties, sporting events, at Decades, and more, it’s a song that given that it has a dance attached, always guarantees a response.
2. Madonna – Vogue (purchase here)
#1 single in 30 countries, 4 million singles sold
Disco-met-house and pop on Madonna’s highly influential 1990 number one jam. Not only is it one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll,” MTV’s #2 “Greatest Video Ever Made,” and Rolling Stone’s best song of 1990, but it also won an American Music Award for 1990’s Best Dance Single. One of the singles most often attributed to being key to Madonna’s mainstream superstar success, it, like the aforementioned “Macarena,” inspired a worldwide dance craze that’s still well-regarded in the modern age.
1. Cher – Believe (purchase here)
#1 in 17+ countries, 11 million singles sold
Impressively enough, after 37 years as a pop superstar, Cher had her biggest hit single with 1998’s dance smash “Believe.” In over five decades, she’s had 34 top-ten singles, but this one in particular entirely re-set a standard of pop success for her career. In the current era, Auto-Tuned voices are fairly common, but in 1998, this song set a unique progressive vocal standard in using the technology.
Top Ten Pop-Meets-Rap Collaborations Of The Decades Eras
At Decades, Panorama Productions’ newest club, celebrating the pop music of the greatest-selling eras in music history is exactly what’s being done at all times. One of the keys to the music of these eras selling so well is that oftentimes genres were blended and blurred in ways that created fresh sounds and fanbases for hit singles. Notably, it’s when hip-hop and mainstream cultures merged when the hits were the biggest. Here’s the ten biggest-selling pop-meets-rap collaborations in the past thirty years.
All songs listed are also available for purchase by clicking them!
10. Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind (2001)
#1 – 5 countries, 7 million singles sold
By 2001, Ruff Ryders’ affiliated rapper Eve had broken out from the considerable shadow of fellow “Double R” clique members DMX and Swizz Beatz to be rap’s top-selling female performer of that era. Dr. Dre and Scott Storch co-produced this heater, which was the second single from Scorpion, Eve’s breakthrough second album. For Eve and Gwen, it was the bigger-selling of their two Dre-produced collaborations, the other being, “Rich Girl,” a 2004 Stefani single.
9. Flo Rida feat. T-Pain – Low (2009)
#1 – 5 countries, 9 million singles sold
Before his debut 2009 single “Low,” Flo Rida was an appropriately-named emcee from Carol City, Florida. Comparatively, T-Pain had released three albums that had sold nearly two million copies in the United States alone, with five top-ten singles including 2007’s “Buy You A Drank (Shawty Snappin’).” T-Pain delivers on the hook for “Low,” as “Apple Bottom jeans, and boots with the furrrr” is probably one of the era’s most iconic moments.
8. Katy Perry feat. Juicy J – Dark Horse (2013)
#1 – 8 countries, 20 million sales and streams
Katy Perry goes electro-trap alongside a member from Three Six Mafia? That’s exactly what happened on this extremely surprising hit 2013 pop meets rap collaboration. Regarding working with Perry, one-time “Stay Fly” Three Six Mafia hit-maker Juicy J said, “My verse I did on that song, she was singing it. She’s really a genius, she was by the mixing board and telling the guy what to take in and take out. She’s really hands-on with her music, she knows music.”
7. Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland – Dilemma (2002)
#1 – 10 countries, 8 million singles sold
When St. Lunatic Nelly and Destiny’s Child member Rowland combined forces on 2002 R & B ballad “Dilemma,” the result was a Grammy-winning smash. In the same way that ‘80s heavy metal’s “rules” meant that every huge band needed a power ballad, rappers enlisted the aid of pop/soul divas to make their largest waves. Throw in a sample from Patti LaBelle’s 1983 R & B smash “Love, Need and Want You,” and the song had just enough OG soul legitimacy and pop power to make an impact.
6. Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland – SexyBack (2006)
#1 – 10 countries, 9 million sales
Following up partnering with Pharrell Williams for his 2002 album Justified, Justin Timberlake paired with another Virginia-born producer in Timbaland for 2006’s FutureSex/LoveSounds. Leading the charge on the album was this soulful electro-pop jam that featured Timbo in a role similar to Diddy, cheering on JT’s vocals from the background. Similar to so many Bad Boy hits of the late ‘90s, “SexyBack’s” mix of party chants, sexy soul lyrics, and a thumping beat are undeniable.
5. Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg – California Gurls (2010)
#1 – 12 countries, 8 million sales
The standard setter for Katy Perry and Juicy J’s “Dark Horse” is her “surprising” collab with none other than Snoop Dogg for 2010’s “California Gurls.” Regarding the mega-hit’s inspiration, Perry noted, “it’s been a minute since we’ve had a California song and especially from a girl’s perspective. We took the references of Prince, which is always a great reference, and we took a lot of the ’90s, … almost that house music, some of those references.”
4. Puff Daddy, 112, and Faith Evans – I’ll Be Missing You (1996)
#1 – 14 countries, 10 million sales
Alongside his Bad Boy artists 112 and mourning widow Faith Evans, Puff Daddy bittersweetly honored the memory of his slain protege The Notorious BIG with 1996’s “I’ll Be Missing You.” The sample of The Police’s 1983 hit “Every Breath You Take” added to the song’s appeal, which made it to that point, Diddy’s biggest-selling artist single. An iconic songs that’s instantly recognizable as a part of hip-hop culture, it has a legacy that’s larger than the number of copies it’s sold overall.
3. Rihanna feat. Jay Z – Umbrella (2007)
#1 – 15 countries, 9 million sales
Amazingly enough, one of Rihanna’s biggest hits ever was originally written for Britney Spears. Of course, given that Jay Z was the president of Rihanna’s label Def Jam, there’s no guarantee that Hov would’ve appeared on Brit’s version of “Umbrella,” but still, what a fact in general, right?!?!? In one epic smash, “Little Miss Sunshine” broke out from being the child known for “Pon De Replay” into being the woman known for hits like “Work.”
2. Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean – Hips Don’t Lie (2005)
#1 – 16 countries, 6 million sales
When Caribbean dancehall mixed with Puerto Rican salsa on Haitian vocalist Wyclef Jean and Colombian singer Shakira’s 2005 hit “Hips Don’t Lie,” there’s the influence of two continents, 30 countries, 25 islands, and an American territory at play. Therefore, the song being a global smash makes sense. Throw in a music video with hip-shaking dancing, and there’s literally something in it for absolutely everyone.
1. Usher feat. Lil Jon – Yeah! (2004)
#1 – 16 countries, 7 million sales
“Peace up, A Town down.”
By 2004, Usher had already sold 17 million albums, and had nine top-ten singles. At the same time, Lil Jon had released two #1 indie albums, had two top 10 Billboard hits, and had produced three other smash singles for artists including the Ying Yang Twins. Jon’s street stardom mixed with Usher’s mainstream success on a single that used Jon’s signature catchphrase to make the most successful pop/rap collaboration of all time.
Top Five Max Martin Productions Of The 2000s-2010s
At Decades, we celebrate a ton of amazing pop songs from the past 30 years. If you were told that there was a producer who’d written and produced songs for everyone from the Backstreet Boys and Celine Dion to Taylor Swift and The Weeknd. Overall this same creative force produced 22 #1 Billboard songs for 13 different artists. Well, that producer’s name is Max Martin, and if you come to Decades, you’re more than likely to hear any of those 22 #1 hits, or his 43 Top #10 jams with 22 different artists as well. However, of those 65 top songs, there are five that were easily not just Martin’s five best sellers, but moreover five of the most memorable songs of the eras that Decades spans.
5. The Weeknd – I Can’t Feel My Face (2015) – #1 in 10 countries, 7 million in sales and streams
Prior to his breakthrough 2015 hit, the man born Abel Tesfaye would easily rank somewhere near the bottom of the list of artists you’d want to hear sing an early 80’s-era Michael Jackson-style disco ballad. However, it’s in the brilliance of Max Martin to discover the amazing range of The Weeknd’s falsetto, and the result was a “eee heee, wooo” away from basically being “Billie Jean.” The throwback vocal style of “I Can’t Feel My Face” being accented by a slow-mo bassline and delightful melody? It’s a total winner.
4. Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg – California Gurls (2010) – #1 in 12 countries, 8 million in sales
The last tandem that anyone would ever expect to see together is one-time gospel singer Perry and cannabis king Snoop D-O-double gizzle. However, on 2010’s “California Girls,” the Long Beach County native’s bars somehow slide comfortably into place next to racing synths and a pounding electro bassline. One of Martin’s greatest gifts is knowing how to create tracks that have “just enough” funky swing and power pop influences to sound similar to, yet different than everything on the radio.
3. Taylor Swift – Shake It Off (2014) – #1 in 13 countries, 15 million in sales
There’s great reason to believe that Taylor Swift could put out anything and make every #1 chart hit #1 on every pop chart in the world. That’s not exactly true, but in figuring out how to wrap a song around Swift’s unique vocal tics, Max Martin produced a #1 hit here. On “Shake It Off,” Swift’s voice is actually less of a human thing and more of an actual instrument. Turning a voice into a hook machine is totally a trick from Eurodance and EDM that the Swedish-born producer knows all-too well, and he mixes it with straight-ahead classic US 80s to great effect.
2. Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl (2008) – #1 in 19 countries, 7 million in sales
So…yeah. You’re Columbia Records. You have an ex-Christian pop star on the label, and you’d ideally like to see her cross over as a pop star. So, you call on Max Martin and get him to craft “I Kissed A Girl,” a song that not only COMPLETELY re-brands her as possibly the furthest thing from having any religious affiliation whatsoever. 80s rock meets electro pop here, and the final product is a total winner. Sometimes kissing a girl means more than you think it does, and this, in a business sense, is one of those cases, lol.
1. Britney Spears – Baby One More Time (1998) – #1 in 23 countries, 5 million in sales
In 1997, Britney Spears was a can’t-miss star supernova in the body of a 16 year old ex-Mickey Mouse Club member who needed the *right* song to stake her claim on the top of the charts.
Enter Max Martin…
“Baby One More Time” does everything that a debut single for a new artist needs to do. Foremost, It showcased the full range of Spears’ vocal ability. Also again, as do so many Martin hits, has “just enough” funk, jazzy swing, and dance influence to excite any potential listener. Throw in a video with the not-quite 18-year old Britney dancing in a schoolgirl uniform. 23 countries later, it’s a level of hit song that’s completely unforgettable in every way.
Top Ten Boy Bands and Girl Groups From The Decades Era
At our Decades nightclub, one of the things we wanted to celebrate the most was the great pop music of the 1980s-2000s, when boy bands and girl groups seemed to be everywhere and ruled the pop charts. In order to highlight the best of these groups, we decided to research the 10 best-selling boy bands and girl groups of the Decades eras. As well, we’ve provided more than a few reasons why they’re deserving of praise.
10. New Edition
Overall career highlights:
5 #1 singles
2 #1 albums
After breaking out from inner city Boston, Ronnie, Bobbie, Ricky, Mike, and Ralph went on to become arguably the first major-league African-American “boy band” since the Jackson 5. From 1983-1987, they released nine top 10 R & B hits, including “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Cool It Now,” and “Candy Girl.” However, after the departure of Bobby Brown and him being replaced with Johnny Gill, the group went on to record hits “If It Isn’t Love” and “N.E. Heartbreak.” Not a fan of New Edition? Well, you might remember a “Poison”ous era between 1989-1993 when New Edition’s Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, and Ronnie DeVoe formed Bell Biv DeVoe!
9. The Bangles
Overall career highlights:
2 #1 singles
10 million-plus albums sold
Dance-ready pop/rock got a girl group face in the mid-to-late 1980s via The Bangles, an LA-based foursome. Best known for their hit “Walk Like An Egyptian,” in a maybe little-known fact, none other than Prince wrote “Manic Monday,” one of the group’s three major singles including 1987 film Less Than Zero soundtrack included song “Hazy Shade of Winter.” Though the original group broke up in 1990, their influence is still felt to the present day.
8. 98 Degrees
Overall career highlights:
11 million overall albums sold
From 1996-2003, brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Nick Timmons partnered as 2000s era boy band 98 Degrees. Though Nick later achieved a high level of fame while married to fellow pop sensation Jessica Simpson from 2002-2005, 98 Degrees released four albums from 1998-2000, with their biggest solo hit being “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche),” which hit #2 on the US Billboard charts in 2000.
7. Boyz II Men
Overall career highlights:
32 million albums sold
7 #1 singles
4 Grammy Awards
“Motownphilly’s” favorite quartet have now impressively been together for over 25 years. Though their ballad “End of the Road” broke Elvis Presley’s record for consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard charts, it’s the already-mentioned “Motownphilly” that still packs dance floors — even at Decades today. Four-part harmonies that remind people of Motown era acts like the Temptations mixed with Michael Bivins’ “New Jack Swing”-style production have created a legacy that will last forever.
6. *NSync
Overall career highlights:
3 #1 albums
4 #1 singles
Before Justin Timberlake was wearing a “Suit and Tie” with Jay Z, he was one-fifth of *NSync, a boy band that from 2000’s “Bye Bye Bye” to 2002’s Nelly-featuring “Girlfriend” had six consecutive top-ten Billboard Pop chart singles. As well, the group has sold 35 million-plus albums overall, as well as likely having some of the most instantaneously iconic music videos and choreography of the Decades eras.
5. New Kids On The Block
Overall career highlights:
50 million-plus albums sold
From cartoon shows and bedspreads to action figures, t-shirts and more, New Kids on the Block were to the 1980s what teenage rock bands were to the 1960s. September 1988-released album Hanging Tough sold 25 million albums on the strength of the eponymous single, which has a dance that those who were pre-teens and teenagers in 1988 probably know all-too-well. In 2016, you’re more likely to find NKOTB’s Donnie Wahlberg behind a hamburger grill as you can on a stage, but the group did briefly reunite for 10, an album they released in 2013.
4. Spice Girls
Overall career highlights:
Billions in sponsorship earnings
9 #1 singles
Five women nicknamed “Scary,” “Sporty,” “Ginger,” and “Posh” invaded America (and world’s) shores in 1996 and caused a British Invasion the likes of which hadn’t been seen since the Beatles three decades prior. Their first single “Wannabe” hit #1 in 20 countries, but what may be more impressive is that the group earned $1 billion in sponsorship dollars between 1996-1999, while also selling 50 million albums and 40 million singles in the same span of time. Zigga zig uh, indeed.
3. Destiny’s Child
Overall career highlights:
6 #1 singles
2 Grammy Awards
Here’s an amazing fact: Destiny’s Child actually existed as a group for 16 years, from 1990-2006. Though the group’s membership changed on three separate occasions, Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland remained constant. From hitting Billboard’s top five with “No, No, No” on their 1998 mainstream debut album to having four top 10 singles on their appropriately titled “final” album Destiny Fulfilled, the group has sold 60 million albums (and rising) overall to-date. Impressively, tracks like “Independent Women,” “Survivor,” and “Bootylicious” still excite fans like few other songs released in that era.
2. TLC
Overall career highlights:
Greatest selling girl group of all time
8 #1 singles
7 Grammy Awards
T-Boz, Left Eye and Chili are literally the best-selling girl group of all time. Though Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez tragically passed away in 2002, their brand of soul, rap, and female empowerment has set an unequaled standard. “No Scrubs,” “Waterfalls,” and “Creep” may be their biggest-selling singles, but go back to 1992’s “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg,” and even then you hear the sound and style that would eventually become a record-setter.
1. Backstreet Boys
Overall career highlights:
87 million albums sold
6 #1 albums
6 #1 singles
There’s a ton of reasons why 25 years after debuting, the Backstreet Boys are headed to Vegas for a live performance residency in 2017. Key among them is the fact that for a generation of teenagers, the five-boy band represented the perfect space between MTV, radio airplay and massive pop music sales. Songs like “Quit Playing Games With My Heart,” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” and “I Want It That Way” are the types of songs that defined an era, and when they’re played take listeners back instantaneously to some of the happiest moments of their lives.
Six Unforgettable Hip-Hop-Meets-EDM Collaborations From The Past Decade
In the past decade, pop music’s twin loves of dance music and hip-hop culture collided numerous times in incredible ways. Oftentimes, the tracks that resulted were either major pop culture game changers and/or Billboard chart topping hits. In this list, we highlight six different times with 13 different artists when dance and rap-friendly styles merged with amazing results.
A$AP Rocky – Wild For The Night (produced by Skrillex) (2013)
By 2013, the idea that dance and rap could pair together in the modern era and create an enormous and progressive sound was quite well known. However, when party-ready rapper A$AP Rocky paired with festival smasher Skrillex for this trap and dubstep-themed track, many more than “me, myself, and I, my three friends” were into it. While not a top 10 hit by any stretch, it’s definitely the song that set the table for tracks like Skrillex’s recent pairings with Pusha T for “Burial,” “No Chill” with Vic Mensa, and Rick Ross for “Purple Lamborghini.”
Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki Remix) (2010)
Impressively, six years after its release, Steve Aoki still plays his electro house remix of Kid Cudi’s 2010 single “Pursuit of Happiness.” Similar to Italo house kingpins Crookers’ remix of his 2009 single “Day N Nite,” this is an iconic Cudi remix known much more for the damage it caused on EDM floors than in traditional hip-hop circles. Well worth a listen, it’s one of those tracks that impressively defines an entire era.
Tiesto & Diplo feat. Busta Rhymes – C’mon (Catch Em By Surprise) (2011)
Whereas Diplo collaborating with major-level dance music kingpins is pretty much par for the course these days, his 2011 collaboration with Tiesto and Busta Rhymes for “C’mon” was groundbreaking. The bassline electro bomb was a left-field sound for Diplo at the time, and for Tiesto, it pre-dated his evolution from being known mainly for trance into making sounds that had a greater number of genre influences.
Swedish House Mafia feat. Tinie Tempah – Miami 2 Ibiza (2010)
Before uniting as Swedish House Mafia, Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso and Axwell were house music titans. However, with a touch of UK hip-hop powerhouse Tinie Tempah’s superstardom, the trio reached an iconic level of success. Post “Miami 2 Ibiza,” Swedish House Mafia went onto sell 50 million-plus singles, including collaborations with Usher, Knife Party, Pharrell, and Coldplay.
Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling (produced by David Guetta) (2009)
The Black Eyed Peas’ evolution from pop-locking rappers on 1998’s “Joints And Jam” to club-ready fist-pumpers by 2009’s David Guetta-produced “I Gotta Feeling” would be remarkable on the surface, but upon deeper review was always a potential final destination. Check out 2000’s “Weekends,” 2004’s “Let’s Get It Started,” and 2006’s “Pump It,” and the rap-meets-EDM smash that was “I Gotta Feeling” ultimately makes all of the logical sense in the world.
Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers – Get Lucky (2013)
From rapping and singing to songwriting and producing, Pharrell Williams is a man-for-all-hip-hop-seasons. Putting him in the same room as “French touch” giants Daft Punk and disco icon Nile Rodgers of Chic fame effectively unites four decades of American urban dance culture on one production. Therefore, the idea that “Get Lucky” would be debuted at Coachella and go on to be a US and UK #1 dance hit as well as reach #2 on the American pop charts makes sense. A little smoother than trap and funkier than house, this one perfectly hits all of the right musical spots.
Timbaland’s Ten Best Productions Have Spanned The Decades
In arguably Decades’ favorite era between 1994-2013, Timbaland produced 36 singles that hit #1 on ten different American pop charts, as well as having a hand in production on 50 different releases that hit the top of five different American album charts, too. From Jay Z and Missy Elliott, to Madonna and Aaliyah, to Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, he’s made hits with seemingly just about everyone. Here, we take a look at, statistically, the ten best #1 singles he ever produced.
Summer 2000’s biggest rap single could easily also be known as one of rap and pop music’s most culturally impacting hits of all time. Jay Z pairs with legendary Port Arthur, Texas born “southern rap impresario” duo UGK on the track, which for the tandem was also their most significant reach onto the Billboard rap charts. Timbaland’s notable sample here is from “Khosara Khosara,” an Abdel Halim Hafez song, performed by Hossam Ramzy, from a CD compilation entitled The Best of Bellydance from Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey.
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, Lil’ Mo, Nas, Eve, and Q-Tip’s collaboration for 1999 single “Hot Boyz” is one of those rap moments when, even before there’s a voice on the track, hands are in the air and screams are audible from the crowd. In fact, the song was such a club crusher that it spent roughly one-third of 1999/2000 as the number one rap single on Billboard’s “Hot Rap Singles” chart. The synth pulses that open the production? Instantaneously iconic hip-hop sonic blasts.
Timbaland’s work as a solo artist isn’t exactly on the same level as his work as a producer, except for the case of his Shock Value album lead single “The Way I Are.” The dance-ready club heater features additional vocals from Keri Hilson, and has a sound that’s very similar to a song we’ll see later in this countdown from Justin Timberlake. A wonderful mix of Motown-style songwriting, disco-esque soul and then-modern electro pop, it’s a futuristic hit that’s still relevant in the modern age.
As if to prove that there’s nothing that Justin Timberlake and Timbaland couldn’t do as a collaborative unit, with 2008’s “4 Minutes,” they provided Madonna her first American top ten hit since 2002’s James Bond soundtrack single “Die Another Day,” and her first top five hit since 2000’s “Don’t Tell Me.” The dance single is described by Madonna as being about “saving the environment and hav[ing] a good time while we are doing it,” it’s certainly one of the most notable superstar moments in Timbaland’s career.
Timbaland’s produced his fair share of “suggestive” tracks, but none are quite Beyonce’s 2013 ode to her love of all things related to her husband Jay Z. The song is unique in that it’s one of Timbaland’s few forays into producing trap-style beats, which he accomplishes with his usual flair for both the unique and dramatic. Gypsy folk-meets-urban soul here in the most amazing of ways and hits home with a monster hit that likely impacted pop culture more than the music industry.
In the fun piece of trivia attached to this song, it was included on the soundtrack of 2000 film Romeo Must Die, which also featured Aaliyah starring alongside kung fu master Jet Li. The synth heavy R & B that Timbaland became synonymous with later in his career is somewhat on display here as this is a happy point in-between a song like Ginuwine’s 1997 smash “Pony,” and his work on Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveSounds album.
When Timbaland was finished weaving his magical sounds around the talent of Canadian folk-soul vocalist Nelly Furtado, what emerged was sexed-up electro pop anthems like her 2006 Timbaland collaboration “Promiscuous.” Somehow Furtado rap-singing the verses while Timbaland performs the hook works here. There’s something completely catchy about absolutely everything in this song, from the melody that merry-go-rounds in your head and more. Timbaland definitely “[had] what [we needed]” on this one.
Timbaland’s been quoted in interviews as saying that his sounds are responsible for dubstep’s innovation. While that may not be true, when Kanye West needed to find someone to re-track the drums on his Daft Punk-inspired Graduation lead single, he called electro-soul pioneer Timbaland, and he weaved his magic into the track’s bottom end. There’s a richness in the quality of the sound on this one that arguably influenced everyone from Steve Aoki to David Guetta and more.
Timbaland’s first solo-billed single #1 Billboard single is this boast-filled electro-meets-club jam that features the voices of both Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado. As with many Timbaland productions from this era, there’s an almost disco-like desire to get people on the floor here, as the stomping drums are aided by keyboard-led melodies that just insist that dancing to them is both the only and best answer.
When Justin Timberlake paired with Timbaland, pop music moments that were on a level that had not been heard since Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones collaborated together in a studio occurred. The best of these iconic times was FutureSex/LoveSounds’ lead single “SexyBack.” Intriguingly, pop music one year prior was actually hurting for alpha male pop sex appeal. 50 Cent and Kanye West were rappers, and Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was an epic moment for pop-aimed rock and roll. Enter JT and Timbo to change the pace and tenor of the times.
Timberlake himself refers to the song as “David Bowie-meets-James Brown,” which is amazing in and of itself. However, throw in Timbaland listening to The Rapture’s indie rock breakthrough “House of Jealous Lovers” and Prince hits from the era of “Controversy” into the mix, and what results is something exactly in the middle of all four of those influences that still slays dance floors like Decades’ to the modern day.
Gwen Stefani Made 80s Hits Into Timeless Classics
From starting her career as No Doubt’s lead singer to a solo pop career that’s spanned four albums with 10 million albums sold overall, Gwen Stefani is a pop dynamo whose songs defined both the late ‘90s and early 2000s.
Breaking down her success though, there’s a very clear formula at play that involves, like Diddy once did, “taking hits from the ‘80’s” making them “sound so crazy.” Of his many hits, these are the five that really exemplify what made her sound be so infinitely catchy and define one of the biggest pop-hit decades of all time.
1. Hollaback Girl – #1 US single released in 2005 – PURCHASE HERE
Sound-alike: “Mickey” by Toni Basil – #1 US single released in 1982 – PURCHASE HERE
Dancer/vocalist Toni Basil’s ode to teenage love and cheerleading has been sampled for numerous songs, including Gwen Stefani’s super-catchy 2005 hit that was her first solo number one song. The success of “Hollaback Girl” is made even more impressive when noting that with nearly three million digital and physical copies of the song sold to this day, it’s literally twice as commercially successful as it’s sound-alike. This beat, unquestionably bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
2. Wind It Up – Top 10 single in 17 countries released in 2006 – PURCHASE HERE
Sound-alike: “Lonely Goatherd” by Julie Andrews – from the 1965 film version of The Sound of Music – PURCHASE HERE
While not a hit from the 80s, Julie Andrews’ yodel-centric ballad from the Sound of Music was definitely sampled by both the Muppets and Weird Al Yankovic in the 80s. Regarding some public push-back against the Pharrell-produced single, Stefani noted, “I still think it’s brilliant and I stand by it. Why can’t you do something weird for a while? These songs are all about having fun, silly records that are to be enjoyed and not taken too seriously.” The “weird” smash spawned a mashup with the original take that was a viral YouTube sensation.
3. Luxurious – European hit single released in 2005 – PURCHASE HERE
Sound-alike: “Between The Sheets” by The Isley Brothers – Top 10 R & B single released in 1983 – PURCHASE HERE
“Between The Sheets” has been sampled 44 other known times including for A Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 jam “Bonita Applebum” and Notorious B.I.G’s 1994 breakout smash “Big Poppa.” For Gwen Stefani’s duet with Houston-based emcee Slim Thug, digging into the song’s rap roots make sense and allowed for a song that married Stefani’s pop-meets-hip-hop chic branding with Thug’s well-established rap superiority.
4. Hella Good (by No Doubt) – #1 US Dance chart single released in 2002 – PURCHASE HERE
Sound-alike: “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen – #1 American Pop, #2 Disco and Soul Chart single released in 1980 – PURCHASE HERE
No Doubt’s pop/rock flexibility allowed the band to have hit singles in genres including, but not limited to ska, reggae, punk and in the case of “Hella Good,” vamping disco-soul. Interestingly enough, the song has been both a platinum release in it’s physical form and reached gold status in the digital age. The song’s sales pale by comparison to it’s sound-alike, but as a concept, No Doubt going disco allowed for an an unexpected chart topper.
5. It’s My Life (by No Doubt) – Top 10 single in 14 countries released in 2003 – PURCHASE HERE
Sound-alike: Talk Talk’s original version of “It’s My Life” was released in 1984 – PURCHASE HERE
“It’s My Life” was released as new, unreleased material on No Doubt’s 2003 Greatest Hits album. The release was the last No Doubt album until 2008. English new wave band Talk Talk’s original was a #1 Billboard dance single, No Doubt’s cover hit #1 on the Adult charts, which is interesting only in the sense that the songs are separated by 20 years. Likely the same people that danced to the song in their 20s make it a hit in their 40s. Amazing.
Five Times When Michael AND Janet Jackson Had Hits At The Same Time
Yes, it’s true. Janet Jackson, one of Decades’ favorite artists, is amazingly pregnant with her first child at the age of 50. In order to celebrate this incredible occurrence, we at DC Clubbing have put together a list of five occurrences when both Janet AND her brother Michael had top ten songs that were popular at roughly the same time. For most of the eras when both Michael and Janet were releasing music, they oftentimes staggered releases so as to likely not step on each other’s toes. However both the “King of Pop” and “Ms. Jackson (if you’re nasty)” were such massive stars that they did have some overlapping hits. Here are those five times.
1987
Janet Jackson – Pleasure Principle – PURCHASE HERE
Amazingly the SIXTH single released from Janet’s third studio album Control, the very dance-able “Pleasure Principle” hit #1 on Billboard’s dance charts. The song’s lasting legacy may be that none other than Britney Spears referenced “Control’s” video in her performance in the video for her own 2000 hit “Stronger.”
Michael Jackson – The Way You Make Me Feel – PURCHASE HERE
This funky Quincy Jones production also bears a blues-meets-synth pop feel and was the third single from Michael’s 1987 mega hit album Bad. AllMusic reviewer John Erlewine notes about the song that “out of all of Bad‘s songs, ‘only three can stand alongside album tracks from [Jackson’s 1983 breakout album Thriller].’” “The Way You Make Me Feel” is counted alongside “Bad” and “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” in that statement.
1987
Janet Jackson – Control – PURCHASE HERE
“Control” was produced by frequent Prince collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and is often pointed to as a perfect example of the “Minneapolis sound” that they were applauded for creating in pop music of that era. The song’s subject matter deals with Janet wanting to finally take control of her life, and, when released, was her biggest hit-to-date.
Michael Jackson – Bad – PURCHASE HERE
Amazingly, both Michael and Janet released two of their most iconic songs at roughly the same time. Bad is inarguably a pop/rock masterpiece of a jam, as funky bass guitars and magnificent synth-work highlight a jamming groove. The lead single from Jackson’s legendary seventh solo album, which to-date, has sold nearly 50 million copies worldwide.
1989
Janet Jackson – Miss You Much – PURCHASE HERE
“Miss You Much” was the lead single from Janet’s 1989-released album Rhythm Nation 1814. It was easily the song that best defined the summer and close of 1989, hitting #1 in September and staying in the Top 10 until December of that year. As far as the song’s legacy, it’s inspired everyone from Britney Spears and Pink to the Backstreet Boys, Akon and more.
Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal – PURCHASE HERE
When the suit that you wear in the music video for a song is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and positioned at a 45 degree angle to match one of your best non-dance and virtually imposible dance moves, you’re on another level of stardom. That’s the case for the seventh single from Michael Jackson’s album Bad, which hit Billboard’s Top 10 in January 1989.
1995
Michael AND Janet Jackson – Scream – PURCHASE HERE
By 1995, Michael and Janet Jackson had 55 global top 10 hits and seven platinum-selling albums between them. Therefore, an epic collaboration was in order. “Scream”’s music video cost a rumored $7 million to make, and had three separate premieres on on MTV, BET and the next evening on ABC’s “Primetime Live.” The production was a collaboration between Michael, Janet and Ms. Jackson’s frequent collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. A #1 single in 17 countries worldwide, it also topped American Billboard’s Dance charts.
2001
Janet Jackson – All For You – PURCHASE HERE
By 2001, it’s an easy-to-argue point that Janet Jackson had become a bigger pop icon of that moment than Michael. Proof of this comes in Janet’s lead single from All For You. This platinum-selling disco-funk jam zoomed to the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 and Dance charts, and was Janet’s 10th overall number one hit.
Michael Jackson – You Rock My World – PURCHASE HERE
Here’s the answer to the trivia question of “when did Jay Z, Chris Tucker and the ‘King of Pop’ collaborate on a remix?” Released in 2001, Invincible was Michael’s last album of original material, and the original version of “You Rock My World” was arguably the last “huge” hit of Jackson’s life.
