Calvin Harris (above) is out of the gate with the Song of Summer award, for his aptly titled “Summer.” There are many other dance-oriented hits that have a decidedly summer vibe, including Nico & Vinz’ “Am I Wrong,” Magic’s “Rude” and even country crossover heartthrob Jake Owen with “Beachin’” Then there’s “She Looks So Perfect” by 5 Seconds of Summer.
Karaoke DJ Kim Woodruff and DJ DASH (aka – Ashley) helped me out with my quarterly chart dedicated to dance and pop music. Kim put “Wiggle,” “Fancy” and “Wild Wild Love” in her Top Three, and Ashley picked “Summer,” “Me and My Broken Heart,” and “Hangover.”
“It isn’t a hit yet, but it will be,” she said of the catchy collaboration between Psy and Snoop Dog.
Yes, the Snoopster is back on several charted songs. Making a big splash on the dance scene is relative newcomer Sam Smith. The British singer songwriter became a sensation in his homeland last year, and two of the three songs on this chart that include him were big UK hits in 2013.
The basic goal of the chart is to hint at the songs that are most likely to be part of the soundtrack of summer at dance clubs or at pool parties.
I scanned about 6 different pop and dance charts and listened to nearly 75 new songs. I concentrated on the songs that, in less than two months out, are literally burning up the charts. I skipped songs that have been on the charts for eons, like “Happy,” even though it is still popular.
I also factored in the titles that Kim and Ashley are plugging right now to give the chart a bit of a local skew. Both DJs agree that the magic blend of dance, rock, and country makes for a packed dance floor. Ashley has been playing the Kongas’ “Come With Me Now” for her rock fans, and Kim has been soothing country cravings with Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up.”
A personal favorite of mine that would sound good at any tropical party is the Spanish-language rendition of “Bailando” by Enrique Inglesias f: Descemer Bueno y Gente de Zona. It literally made me get up out of my chair and dance. I was also glad to learn that techno is still alive and well, even though most people now call it electronica.
I have noted that a few songs on the list are especially explicit. There are often clean versions to download as an alternative. Let me know which songs you most enjoy adding to your summer playlist.
Top Dance/Pop Hits – June 2014
- Calvin Harris – Summer
- Pitbull f: GRL – Wild Wild Love
- Nico & Vinz – Am I Wrong?
- Latch f: Sam Smith – Disclosure
- Tove Lo – Habits (Stay High)
- Tiesto f: Mathew Koma – Wasted
- deadmau5 f: Collleen D’Agostino – Seeya
- Ingrid Michaelson – Girls Chase Boys
- Tiesto – Red Lights
- Enrique Inglesias f: Descemer Bueno y Gente de Zona – Bailando
- Magic – Rude –
- Shakira – Dari (La, La, La)
- Pharrell Williams – Come & Get it Bae
- Nari & Milani & Christian March – I Got My Eye On You
- Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake – Love Never Felt So Good
- David Guetta & Showtek f: Vassy – Bad
- Iggy Azalea f Charli XCX – Fancy – Exp.
- Ariana Grande f Iggy Azalea – Problem
- 5 Seconds of Summer – She Looks So Perfect
- Izzy Azalea – Work
- Tinashe f: Schoolboy Q – 2 On
- The Chainsmokers – #Selfie
- Jason Derulo f: Snoop Dog – Wiggle
- Austin Mahone f: Pitbull – Mmm Yeah
- Justin Timberlake – Not a Bad Thing
- Foster the People – Best Friend
- Ryoksopp & Robyn – Do It Again
- Ed Sherin – Sing
- Paramore – Ain’t It Fun
- Psy & Snoop Dog – Hangover
- Coldplay – A Sky Full of Stars
- Disclosure f: Eliza Doolittle
- The Lonely Island f Lil Jon & Sam F – When Will the Bass Drop
- Sam Smith – Stay With Me
- Jake Owen – Beachin’
- Nicki Minaj – Pills N Potions
- Rixton – Me & My Broken Heart
- MTKO – Classic
- Cazzette Special f: the High – Sleepless
- Katy Perry – Birthday
- Lil Wayne f Drake – Believe Me – Exp.
- Naughty Boy f: Sam Smith – La La La
- Usher – Good Kisser
- John Mayer – XO
- DJ Snake & Little John – Turn Down for What
Ask your favorite DJs to play some of these for you if you can’t find them, and remember to tell them that you read it at EndlessMtnLifestles.com.