Agnetha's Top 250 Dance Tunes 1989-2004

[Agnetha]

I don't think yer gonna get too much out of me today, as I've spent all day searching high and low to get a comprehensive list. I think probably bar one or two, I've more or less completed such a list.

Anyhoo I chose 1989 to start as that was the year of Black Box's 'Ride on Time' getting to #1. I consider that to be the moment when modern dance music came of age.

Now I had quite a lot of trouble defining what was dance music and what wasn't. Kym Appleby's 'Don't Worry' I decided was NOT, wheras Rednex' 'Cotton Eye Joe' I decided WAS. RnB is NOT dance music in my mind, neither is 'pop' as a genre. Steps only got on as a couple of their songs I consider to be dance music.

Remixes made the final cut. Any song I considered remixed to the point of it being 'dance' I allowed. Any song originally released before 1989 was NOT allowed. So sadly the remixes of 'I Feel Love' and 'Atomic' do NOT make the final grade. Cover versions are perfectly acceptable, therefore 'Heaven' gets on. If there's more than one version of a song I liked, I simply placed my favourite version it on the list i.e. Come Into My World (Fisherspooner Remix).

Finally (I think) all artists got a 3 song limit. So the likes of Kylie, Madonna, Faithless, Chemical Brothers, Livin' Joy, Prodigy etc all would have made more appearances.

Anyway, sorry to blah on like I'm NMTop40, but here's the 45 that missed on the final list....

Ready Or Not - Course
The Real Thing – 2 Unlimited
Pearl River – Johnny Shaker
Sugar Is Sweeter – CJ Bolland
The Power of Love 2000 – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Shooting Star – Flip & Fill
Giv Me Luv - Alcatraz
Airwave – Rank 1
Chase The Sun – Planet Funk
On Ya Way - Helicopter
Keep Warm - Jinny
The Key The Secret – Urban Cookie Collective
Higher State Of Conciousness – Josh Wink
Walk On Water – Milk Inc
Castles In The Sky – Ian van Dahl
U Got 2 Know - Cappella
Reach – Judy Cheeks
I Turn To You – Melanie C
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Dub – Apollo 440
Be Cool - Paffendorff
Baby Baby - Corona
Blow Ya Mind – Lock & Load
The Opera Song – Jurgen Vries ft. CMC
Toms Dinner – DNA ft. Suzanne Vega
I Don’t Wanna Lose My Way – Dreamcatcher
Pump Up The Jam - Technotronic
Dooms Night – Azzido Da Bass
Music Sounds Better With You - Stardust
Offshore - Chicane
Joy - Staxx
Last Train To The Trancentral - KLF
Addicted To Bass - Puretones
Got To Get It – Culture Beat
Killer - Adamski
Found A Cure – Ultra Nate
Turn Around – Phats & Small
I Need A Lover Tonight – Ken Doh
Everytime You Touch Me - Moby
U Girls (Look So Sexy) - Nush
What Is Love - Haddaway
Exterminate – Snap!
Shine On – Degrees Of Motion
Right Here Right Now – Fatboy Slim
Bellissima – DJ Quicksilver
9PM (Till I Come) - ATB

[Sheena]

Degrees of Motion missing out ?

WRONG

[Sild]

Considering the QUALITY of some of the tracks that missed out I expect a FLAWLESS list...

[Agnetha]

There's PLENTY of wrongness to come. And plenty RIGHT as well...

[Agnetha]

Originally posted by Sild!
Considering the QUALITY of some of the tracks that missed out I expect a FLAWLESS list... You'll be LUCKY

[Krust]

for "the real thing" by 2 Unlimited missing out.

Anyway, great idea

[Raining On Me]

I predict Narcotic Thrust to be the newest entry...

And thank fuck for Stardust and Phats & Small missing out. Though Haddaway being left off is outrageous :evil:

[Agnetha]

The FIRST 10

241. Somethings Going On – Todd Terry feat. Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown
242. Whats Up – DJ Miko
243. Heart Of Gold – Kelly Llorena
244. Gypsy Woman – Crystal Waters
245. Feels Like Heaven – Urban Cookie Collective
246. Strong Enough - Cher
247. Crazy - Lucid
248. Santa Maria - Tatjana
249. Rockin For Myself – Motiv8
250. Arms of Lorena – E’voke

Kelly Llorena makes 3 appearances by name by DEFAULT. Not that I particuarly like 'Heart of Gold' that much.... Anyway the first tune is E'Voke, and as I recall were by two girls who used to be in Eastenders. Sorely underatted pair of singles. Often rerelased. Often go nowhere near the top 20. Motiv8 make their only appearance as an artist, but it's not the last time on the list for by FAR. 'Santa Maria' is one those utterly gay songs. There's an insuperior version by Sam Fox around as well. It'll never be a huge hit, simply coz it's SO camp as TITS. The UCC missed out on the list with their biggest song 'The Key....'. There are many FAR better tracks on the album in my opinion including the one here. Finally Crystal Waters nearly missed the list with Gypsy Woman. I LOVE the song dearly, but I simply wasn't around for it originally. Needs a spanking big remix IMO....

[Sheena]

"Santa Maria" dance ? Hmmm.... oh well

Kelly my CUNT

I hope GINA is in ...

[Agnetha]

Just realised I've missed out 'Move Your Feet' by Junior Senior. You'll all live...

[Sheena]

Originally posted by Agnetha
Just realised I've missed out 'Move Your Feet' by Junior Senior. You'll all live...

Im not sure I WILL

[Agnetha]

231. Loving You More - BT
232. One & One – Robert Miles ft. Maria Naylor
233. Best Love - Course
234. Hide U - Kosheen
235. Sky - Sonique
236. Move On Baby - Cappella
237. Common People (Motiv8 Mix) - Pulp
238. Where Do You Go – No Mercy
239. (I Wanna Give You) Devotion - Nomad
240. Let The Beat Control Your Body – 2 Unlimited

Not a particuarly inspired selection here. I will mention here that 2 Unlimited don't actually do that well on my list as I'm not REALLY that greater fan.
Anyone who doesn't own anything by BT, just go fourth and download straight away... 'Flaming June' is another by BT I recommend.
Motiv8 make their first appearance as a remixer. I think they also did 'Disco 2000'.
Vaguely unintresting to point out that the Nomad song has a refrence to Maggie Thatcher getting 'slaughtered'. An utter joy I think you'll agree.
Just in case you're wondering 'Best Love' was far better than EITHER of Course's two top 10 hits. Not entirely similar mind....

[Sheena]

I LOVE "Sky"

[AcerBen]

The Real Thing not in the top 250?!!!

[Sheena]

Oh and "Let The Beat Control Your Body" is FAR too low

[Krust]

Originally posted by Agnetha

Vaguely unintresting to point out that the Nomad song has a refrence to Maggie Thatcher getting 'slaughtered'. An utter joy I think you'll agree.


Yes. Even better than the Lisa Stansfield diss in Ambassador's of Funk's "supermarioland"

pleasing list so far and I hope Livin' Joy are #1

[AcerBen]

250. Arms of Loren – E’voke

FABULOUS.

[AcerBen]

Is Cappella's Move It Up in there somewhere?

I think I'm going to make some dance choonage CDRs when I get time.

And if you haven't got ADAM featuring Amy in there I will SHOOT you. Have you heard of Dance Nation? Download "Words" it's fabulous.

[Raining On Me]

Nice to see Robert Miles, would like to see "Freedom" there as well, though I'm not holding out hope..

Kosheen's "Catch" should be miles higher than "Hide U". I DO hope it's there :evil:

And "Sky" is glorious.

[Floella]

I do hope Cappella's U Got 2 Let The Music and Haddaway's Rock My Heart feature somewhere. Maybe a bit of UCC's Feels Like Heaven too.

This list has already reminded me of 8 songs I MUST download immediately...

[PGCMc]

Ready Or Not - Course
The Real Thing – 2 Unlimited
Pearl River – Johnny Shaker
Shooting Star – Flip & Fill
Giv Me Luv - Alcatraz
Keep Warm - Jinny
The Key The Secret – Urban Cookie Collective
Walk On Water – Milk Inc
Castles In The Sky – Ian van Dahl
U Got 2 Know - Cappella
Reach – Judy Cheeks
I Turn To You – Melanie C
Baby Baby - Corona
The Opera Song – Jurgen Vries ft. CMC
Pump Up The Jam - Technotronic
Joy - Staxx
Got To Get It – Culture Beat
Found A Cure – Ultra Nate
Turn Around – Phats & Small
I Need A Lover Tonight – Ken Doh
Everytime You Touch Me - Moby (I prefer the QFX version)
U Girls (Look So Sexy) - Nush
What Is Love - Haddaway
Exterminate – Snap!
Shine On – Degrees Of Motion
Right Here Right Now – Fatboy Slim
Bellissima – DJ Quicksilver
9PM (Till I Come) - ATB

All fantastic!

[PGCMc]

241. Somethings Going On – Todd Terry feat. Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown
242. Whats Up – DJ Miko
243. Heart Of Gold – Kelly Llorena
244. Gypsy Woman – Crystal Waters
245. Feels Like Heaven – Urban Cookie Collective
246. Strong Enough - Cher
247. Crazy - Lucid
248. Santa Maria - Tatjana
249. Rockin For Myself – Motiv8
250. Arms of Lorena – E’voke

I would have UCC, Motiv8 & E'voke at least top 30

I loved Crazy by Lucid Can't Help Myself was overrated!

[Agnetha]

221. Son Of A Gun - JX
222. Don’t Give Up – Chicane ft Bryan Adams
223. In My Eyes – Milk Inc
224. Turn It Around - Alena
225. Salsoul Nugget – M&S pres. The Girl Next Door
226. Cotton Eye Joe - Rednex
227. Barbie Girl - Aqua
228. Horny – Mousse T
229. Tell Me Why (The Riddle) – Paul Van feat. St Ettiene
230. I Luv U Baby – The Original

Aaah! Rednex and Aqua! The two I just could NOT decide whether they should appear or not. But in the end Rednex is a form of techno, and Aqua.... well is debatable. So I put them together.
'Salsoul Nugget' along with 'Push The Feeling On' has probably the least understandable chorus' in HISTORY.
The Bryan Adams track I always thought was a right old rip off of Livin' Joy. Still passable mind...
St Ettiene thanfully did a dance track. It would have seemed immoral not include them somehow or other. Their only top 10 hit alas...
Alena is probably one of the least known tracks on the list. Altho it did go top 20 I think. Download if you like late 1990s vocal house...
'I Luv U Baby'. Fine and dandy mid 90's handbag house track. But I have a version of it on '100% House Anthems 1985-1995' (a must incidently!) which is totally different. If anyone could would care to explain....

[Agnetha]

Originally posted by Floella
I Maybe a bit of UCC's Feels Like Heaven too. Already there... at #245

[PGCMc]

Son Of A Gun - JX
222. Don’t Give Up – Chicane ft Bryan Adams
223. In My Eyes – Milk Inc
224. Turn It Around - Alena
225. Salsoul Nugget – M&S pres. The Girl Next Door
226. Cotton Eye Joe - Rednex
228. Horny – Mousse T
229. Tell Me Why (The Riddle) – Paul Van feat. St Ettiene
230. I Luv U Baby – The Original

This bunch is a bit hit & miss never did get the appeal of Barbie Girl, Doctor Jones was far superior

[Rhythmbandit]

Originally posted by Agnetha

Airwave – Rank 1
Pump Up The Jam - Technotronic
Killer - Adamski
Found A Cure – Ultra Nate
Turn Around – Phats & Small
Bellissima – DJ Quicksilver

Its WRONG these are not in the chart.

[Sheena]

I didnt notice "Found A Cure"- its a HUNDRED times better than "Free" which I expect is there

And "Barbie Girl" ? Oh COME ON- that aint DANCE boy !

[Agnetha]

Originally posted by Sheena
I didnt notice "Found A Cure"- its a HUNDRED times better than "Free" which I expect is there

And "Barbie Girl" ? Oh COME ON- that aint DANCE boy ! I know... I know... It's THERE. There's ain't NOTHING I can do. Pretend it's Junior Senior if yer fancy....

It's the biggest misdemenour there....

[Floella]

Son Of A Gun NEVER tires. Although I prefer and hope to see There's Nothing I Won't Do...

[Agnetha]

211. Come With Me – Special D
212. Time To Burn - Storm
213. Setting Sun – Chemical Brothers
214. Dr Jones - Aqua
215. You Don’t Know Me – Armand Van Helden
216. Alive – S Club
217. Move Your Feet - Junior Senior.
218. It Feels So Good - Sonique
219. Encore Une Fois – Sash!
220. Runaway – E’Voke

Junior Senior replace a song I realised was from 1987.
E'Voke appear with their other hit. Fucking GRAND it is too.
Those observant and chartwise among you, will notice four No.1's here in the form of Chemical Brothers, Aqua, Armand Van Helden and Sonique. Sonique I always liked, but just like 'Toxic' I'll never quite understand the appeal.
Special D are newest track on the list I think. I'm a softy for bad eurorave with squeaky voices... as maybe apparent. It's the Benji-boy in me.
S Club at their best, towards the end of their career when they realised they could do pumped up disco tracks... well. Not the LAST we'll see of them.
Oh and Sash. The LESS said the better....

[Agnetha]

Originally posted by Floella
Son Of A Gun NEVER tires. Although I prefer and hope to see There's Nothing I Won't Do... You know me WELL. Alas 'You Belong To Me' does NOT feature.

[PGCMc]

212. Time To Burn - Storm
214. Dr Jones - Aqua
215. You Don’t Know Me – Armand Van Helden
216. Alive – S Club
218. It Feels So Good - Sonique
220. Runaway – E’voke

Loved most of Sash's songs but didn't like Encore Une Fois

[Agnetha]

201. I Can’t Help Myself - Lucid
202. Red Alert – Basement Jaxx
203. Return of the Space Cowboy (David Morales Remix) - Jamiroquai
204. I Like To Move It – Reel 2 Real
205. One More Time – Daft Punk
206. Passion – Amen UK!
207. Reach Up – Perfecto Allstarz
208. Naked In The Rain – Blue Pearl
209. Boom Boom Boom – Outhere Brothers
210. Don’t Stop Movin (Wiggle Wiggle) – Outhere Brothers

Outhere Brothers I hear you CRY! And why NOT I say. Pretty similar, and both... well not strickly 'fabulous', but much fun when I was 15 years old LET ME TELL YOU NOW.
If you don't know the Amen UK track, and generally like what you see, I recommend. Kinda buzzy e'd up circa 1997 handbag house. ART. Some fine remixes about too....
I have the Blue Pearl album. I do NOT recommend, altho this track was top bo....
The Morales mix of '....Cowboy' for those NOT in the know is the one they often play on radio. Available as a B-side of most of his releases EVER.
The Daft Punk track I'll NEVER tire of. Bright, happy and disco. Makes you feel like you're actually celebrating.
And what WERE Lucid? Did they just turn into Kosheen or summat?

[AcerBen]

I never rated Encore Une Fois as much as the follow-ups either.

Does Runaway by E'Voke actually sample N-Trance Set You Free or is it just a rip off?

[Raining On Me]

Originally posted by Agnetha

Special D are newest track on the list I think.

So no "I Like It", then? Or was that slightly before?

Though frankly the thought of it being left out while that fucking thing's in there..

Come to think of it I only really like "Alive", Sonique and "Dr.Jones" from that last lot, and 2 are mostly pop. Can't remember E'voke, mind.

"Feels So Good" is divine, but I do think "Alive" (as in HER last single, not S Club) is way superior...completely unfairly overlooked. Ah well.

[Agnetha]

Fear NOT Narcotic Thrust fans.

That's all for tonight. I'm of to get jiggy....

[PGCMc]

Originally posted by AcerBen

Does Runaway by E'Voke actually sample N-Trance Set You Free or is it just a rip off? rip off

[Agnetha]

There were two different versions of 'Runaway' I thought....

[Alex]

Originally posted by Agnetha
230. I Luv U Baby – The Original


Ooh i'd forgotten how much I liked this one!
*downloads*

[PGCMc]

201. I Can’t Help Myself - Lucid
202. Red Alert – Basement Jaxx
204. I Like To Move It – Reel 2 Real
205. One More Time – Daft Punk
206. Passion – Amen UK!
207. Reach Up – Perfecto Allstarz
208. Naked In The Rain – Blue Pearl
209. Boom Boom Boom – Outhere Brothers
210. Don’t Stop Movin (Wiggle Wiggle) – Outhere Brothers

Red Alert, One More Time & the 2 Outher Bros tracks were all average but the rest were fab!