100 Greatest House Music Songs

Over 25 years old, house music is the largest and most famous dance component of dance-electronic music, taking its roots from disco to Krautrock. Since its humble beginnings in cities like Chicago and New York City, the house music scene blossomed globally and remains a viable and important market in the music world.
Here is a list of 100 (and a few extra others) essential house music tunes, spanning a myriad of sub genres. While no Top 100 list will ever be complete, these are tunes that are sure to keep dance floors packed or represent the meaning of house music.

NOTE: These songs are alphabetized, NOT ranked. Also, records are classified by year of original release regardless of which year the remix was created. Excluded are Detroit techno records such as "Strings of Life," "Big Fun," "Good Life," etc.

1. 808 State - Pacific State (1989)
A seminal Top 10 UK hit and Top 40 US dance hit, this jazzy record helped break acid house/acid techno to the masses.
2. A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray (1988)
Another acid house/techno classic set to a thoroughly innovative and engrossing dance setting that has been featured on many compilations.
3. Adonis - No Way Back (1986)
A jewel that embodies early house music.
4. Adventures of Stevie V. - Dirty Cash (Money Talks) (1989)
A #1 US dance, #75 R&B, #25 US pop, and #2 UK hit, this classic was the modern generations' version of "Money" (Motown artist Barrett Strong).
5. Alison Limerick - Where Love Lives (1990)
Critically acclaimed and remixed several times, this bona fide garage classic embodies what deep house is all about and still sends dance floors afire.
6. Aly-Us - Follow Me (1992)
Charming gospel-influenced house that recalls the Philly soul era, this anthem of brotherhood and peace has been subjected to countless remixes and compilations. Again, what garage house should be.
7. Amber - Sexual (Li Da Di) (Thunderpuss 2000 remix) (1999)
You might have been first aware of this legendary Dutch bombshell through her US Top 40 classic pop hit "This is Your Night" back in 1996, but when she hit in 1999 with this soft porn platter, the record proved to be another biggie for her, summiting at #42 US pop. Since then, she scored more sexual-laced hits with "Yes!" and "The Need to Be Naked." Oh, and the remix to go for is the one by the legendary duo Barry Harry and Chris Cox.
8. Armand Van Helden feat. Duane Harden - U Don't Know Me (1998)
A house music song topping the UK charts is no easy feat, even after Steve "Silk" Hurley did it back then in 1987. This big worldwide smash truly deserved its hit status and critical respect. If you like a record that samples Carrie Lucas' disco classic "Dance With U" and features a strong male assertive lead, then this is for you.
9. Armando - Land of Confusion (1988)
No early house music set is complete without this and his other chestnut "100% Dissin' You." Appears on many compilations.
10. Basement Jaxx - Red Alert (1999)
With a string of juicy hits ("Rendez-Vu," "Fly Life," "Where's Your Head At?"), this is perhaps their best and even made the Village Voice Top 40 of the year. An indisputable classic that no true party list should be without: festive party atmosphere, infectious vocals, and screeching synths (which sort of recalls the one implemented in the Ohio Player's classic "Funky Worm").
11. Billie Ray Martin - Your Loving Arms (1994)
An early progressive house number that topped European charts and made a respectable showing at #46 in the US pop charts. Elegant, dazzling, and wonderful romantic house music.
12. Black Box - Ride on Time (1989)
Monstrous worldwide hit featuring the oft-sampled vocals of disco legend Loleatta Holloway via the classic "Love Sensation." Like "Jack Your Body," it topped the UK charts. Check out their classic LP "Dreamland."
13. Bomb the Bass - Beat Dis (1988)
Breaks, acid, samples and house meet in this #2 UK stormer.
14. Bucketheads - The Bomb! (1995)
Samples Chicago's disco number "Street Player." Enduring raver.
15. C + C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (1990)
A classic Karaoke, party, wedding, club, and radio favorite, who hasn't heard this hip house groover from the legendary Clivilles and Cole and featuring Freedom Williams? It gelled wonderfully with the other hip hop-inspired dance tunes of the time.
16. Cassius - 1999 (1999)
This funky disco house stomper reached the UK Top 10 and established them as one electronic music's greatest. Other noteworthy jams include "Feeling for You" and "The Sound of Violence."
17. Celeda - The Underground (Addictive Trip remix) (2000)
Hypnotic tribal-laden house, produced by Peter Rauhofer.
18. Charlotte - Skin (KLM remix) (1998)
Be comfortable in your own skin, and nothing more, Charlotte sings on this club classic.
19. Chip E. - If You Only Knew (1986)
Seminal and influential Chicago house anthem that helped put house music on the map. "Like This" is another classic from "The Godfather of House."
20. CJ Bolland - Sugar is Sweeter (Armand's Drum N Bass remix) (1996)
This house treasure kick started the ''speed garage'' trend and thus became influential as a result. Armand's big remixing break as it soared to the top of dance charts.
21. Coldcut - People Hold On (1989)
Timeless inspirational piece featuring the blue-eyed soul vocals of Lisa Stansfield, later of "All Around the World" fame.
22. Colonel Abrams - Trapped (1985)
Huge classic of dance/electronic music in general and had an influential sound that inspired many dance releases, like a mini "Let the Music Play" or "Keep on Movin'" record.
23. Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless) (1991)
Hitting #8 US and #2 UK, this huge global hit from the house music legend became an instant and critically acclaimed classic. Sampled by rapper T.I. in "What You Know."
24. Daft Punk - Around the World (1996)
Catchy. Funky bass line and repetitive "Around the World" sung in a Vocoder-processed voice. Reached the Top 10 UK and capped at #61 US pop. Great video.
25. David Morales pres. The Face - Needin' U II (2000)
The legendary DJ, producer, and remixer's 1998 original was also a hit, but this became the all-time house classic, featuring the legendary house diva Juliet Roberts and a Chi-Lites sample.
26. Deborah Cox - Nobody's Supposed to Be Here (Hex Hector remix) (1998)
She was an R&B star who made it even bigger in the dance world. Her R&B/pop original of "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" became an instant classic, and so did this engaging dance remix from the legendary Hex Hector. A double crown winner.
27. Deee-Lite - Groove Is In the Heart (1990)
What's this song doing on here? It's an amalgamation of sounds, from funk to R&B, but it still has that basic house groove. Features a rap from Q-Tip of the legendary hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest.
28. De'Lacy - Hideaway (Deep Dish remix) (1995)
Pure house gem that has seen its share of remixes over the years.
29. DHS - House of God (1990)
Famous house tune that has been sampled and retouched over the years. Hypnotic synth line.
30. Fast Eddie - Yo Yo Get Funky (1988)
Hip house legend later remade this under the alias Mr. Eddie ("Return of the Funky Man") and as a late '90s update using disco legend Evelyn "Champagne" King's classic "Shame" as its beat.
31. Frankie Knuckles pres. Satoshi Tomiie - Tears (1989)
The celebrated house king's great deep house corker.
32. Double 99 - Ripgroove (1997)
Raga vocals, speed garage, and voila, a UK and US dance hit that packs with a serious kick.
33. Eddie Amador - House Music (1997)
Late '90s house music anthem, paying homage to the genre's early origins.
34. Eric Prydz - Call on Me (2004
Global house hit that recalls an earlier time.
35. Everything But the Girl - Missing (Todd Terry remix) (1994)
This monster classic crossed over several music formats and became a worldwide hit due to Terry's groove supporting Tracey Nunn's delicate vocals.
36. Farley "Jackmaster" Funk & Jessie Saunders - Love Can't Turn Around (1986)
A cover of soul legend Isaac Hayes' "I Can't Turn Around," this Top 10 UK hit helped pave the road for house music's global phenomenon. It was cited by rock critic Dave Marsh in his greatest 1001 songs book.
37. Fingers Inc - Can You Feel It? (1988)
After Marshall Jefferson's "Move Your Body," this is THE house anthem, sampled numerous times and still stands as one of house music's towering achievements.
38. Funky Green Dogs - Fired Up (1996)
The Brat remix or the MURK one will do, but this is all around a great house record that never fails to please dance floors.
39. Gat Decor - Passion (1992)
Classic houser samples Siedah Garrett's 1985 elecro-freestyle classic "Do You Want it Right Now?"
40. Goldfrapp - Strict Machine (2002)
Critically acclaimed Donna Summerish house-meets-electro-meets-synth pop floor burner.
41. Gusto - Disco's Revenge (1995)
Classic that samples Harvey Mason's 1979 disco "Groovin' You."
42. House Master Boyz & The Rude Boy of House - House Nation (1986)
Mega house classic by the house meister Farley Keith and his gang.
43. J.M. Silk - Music is the Key (1985)
Early house classic hit.
44. Joe Smooth - Promised Land (1987)
All-time garage gem that has been sampled and covered since its debut.
45. Jungle Brothers - I'll House You (1988)
Seminal hip house record from these hip hop legends.
46. Kings of Tomorrow - Finally (2001)
Simply gorgeous soulful tune pairing R&B star Brian McKnight's wife Julie with boys Sandy Rivera and Jose Burgo. The Danny Tenaglia remix also does justice.
47. Kraze - The Party
Party house classic.
48. Kristine W - One More Try (1995)
Great vocal pipes set to a trancey, gospel-influenced house rhythm graced the bottom reaches of the Billboard pop charts. Her other records have hit #1 on the US dance charts and for good reason: she is a queen of house music.
49. Leftfield - Song of Life (1992)
Leftfield house, progressive house, these Brits helped pioneer this style.
50. Lil' Louis - French Kiss (1989)
The "Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus" or "Love to Love You Baby" of house music. This was a tremendous hit in the clubs back then and has become an immortal house record staple.
51. Livin' Joy - Dreamer (1994)
Simply engaging UK #1 and US pop hit.
52. Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations (1991)
Hip house hit pulling a sample from Holloway's "Love Sensation" that topped the US pop charts.
53. M/A/R/R/S - Pump Up the Volume (1987)
Seminal house joint that proved to be very influential beyond the confines of house music through its use of samples.
54. Marshall Jefferson - Move Your Body (1986)
THE house music anthem. Epitomizes house music with its jacking groove. Now jack!
55. Masters At Work feat. India - To Be In Love (1997)
Legendary duo Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez and "Little" Louie Vega first worked in Latin freestyle music before making the transition to house. They took freestyle vixen India right along with them to produce a series of house classics.
56. Maurice - This is Acid (A New Dance Craze) (1988)
A hit that was worked to pop radio. Exemplary acid house.
57. Michael Moog - That Sound (1999)
Great disco house that surged to the top of dance charts. Samples the Spinners' evergreen "I'll Be Around."
58. Mighty Dub Katz - Magic Carpet Ride (1995)
House with a Latin groove featuring Norman Cook. Classic.
59. Moby - Bodyrock (Olav Basoski remix) (1999)
Olav Basoski transforms this into a body rocking anthem with a great break.
60. Modjo - Lady (Hear Me Tonight) (2000)
This was gigantic in the year 2000 along with DJ Spiller's "Groovejet" and DaRude's trancer "Sandstorm." Charted around the world and even dented the US pop listings.
61. Moloko - Sing it Back (1998)
Critically acclaimed house classic featured on numerous compilations to date. An Ibiza favorite.
62. Mousse T. vs Hot 'N' Juicy - Horny '98 (1998)
Brilliant and humorous. The horns really are horny, and the crooning vocals and assertive chorus really make this a winner. Critically lauded.
63. Mr. Fingers - Mystery of Love (1985)
Seminal deep house.
64. Mr. Oizo - Flat Beat (1998)
House-techno-electro in one.
65. Negrocan - Cada Vez (1996)
Quintessential Latin house.
66. Nightcrawlers - Push the Feeling On (1992)
Still a classic after all these years.
67. N-Joi - Anthem (1990)
Usually seen as a hardcore-techno-breakbeat outfit, this became a house anthem.
68. Nomad - (I Wanna Give You) Devotion (1990)
Big enduring house pleaser.
69. The Ones - Flawless (Phunk Investigation remix) (1999)
Huge house winner.
70. Opus III - Fine Day (1993)
Originally by Jane in 1983, this is a variation which has since went on to become a classic in its own right (along with Miss Jane's "It's a Fine Day (ATB remix)" and Orbital's "Halcyon + On + On". Kirsty Hawkshaw, the voice on this particular record, went on to remake this classic and also became a trance vocalist.
71. Outhere Brothers - Boom Boom Boom (1995)
Storming hip house party favorite.
72. Pete Heller - Big Love (1999)
Gigantic enduring house joint that stayed for months on Billboard's dance charts.
73. Phatts & Small - Turn Around (1999)
Classic remake of a classic record.
74. Phuture - Acid Tracks (1987)
Seminal and the embodiment of acid house. Dark magnum opus.
75. Powerhouse feat. Duane Harden - What You Need (2000)
Harden's other major house hit.
76. Ralphi Rosario feat. Xaviera Gold - You Used to Hold Me (1987)
Classic that has been remixed countless times. The '94 and '98 versions are worth listening to. Early diva anthem.
77. Raze - Break 4 Love (1987)
An R&B, pop, and dance hit, this mellow groover was huge in clubs.
78. Razor N' Guido - Do it Again (Right remix) (1998)
The Left remix is OK, but the Right one is the spotlight. A classic club treasure.
79. Reel 2 Real feat. The Mad Stuntman - I Like to Move It (1993)
Euro house jammer continuing the jacking tradition.
80. Roger Sanchez - Another Chance (2001)
Big world hit.
81. Roy Davis Jr. - Gabriel (1997)
Featuring Peven Everett, a classic garage house number.
82. Royal House - Can You Party? (1988)
Greatly sampled and huge house disk.
83. Run-D.M.C. vs Jason Nevins - It's Like That (1997)
This hip house remix sold five million copies worldwide and topped the UK charts.
84. Sandy B - Make the World Go Round (Deep Dish remix) (1996)
"Speed garage" classic.
85. S-Express - Theme from S-Express (1988)
Critically applauded acid houser.
86. Sneaker Pimps - Spin Spin Sugar (Armand's Dark Garage remix) (1996)
Armand's other wonderfully crafted remix.
87. The Source feat. Candi Staton - You Got the Love (1991)
Massive house classic and still critically noticed, featuring the vocals of southern soul legend Candi Staton, best known for the disco gem "Young Hearts Run Free," itself a house classic via covers.
88. Spiller - Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) (2000)
Featuring Sophie Ellis Bextor and sampling the underrated Carol Williams' disco tune "Love is You," this is disco house music at its best, right up along there with "Music Sounds Better with You."
89. St Germain - Alabama Blues (1994)
Classic deep house tune revisited in 1996, which is also equally amazing.
90. Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You (1997)
Sampling Chaka Khan's now classic "Fate," this is a bona fide house music anthem, becoming a huge worldwide hit and even breaking through the US pop charts. Features the great Thomas Bangalter.
91. Sterling Void & Paris Brightledge - It's All Right (1987)
Tremendous house classic and sampled by a variety of artists, including Pussy 2000.
92. Steve ''Silk'' Hurley - Jack Your Body (1986)
Seminal Chicago house anthem topped the UK charts and showed the world how to jack.
93. Sueno Latino - Sueno Latino (1989)
Significant Ibiza house classic.
94. Tamperer feat. Maya - Feel It (1998)
Smash that takes from the Jacksons' "Can You Feel It?"
95. Technotronic - Pump Up the Jam (1989)
Hip house at its finest.
96. Ten City - That's the Way Love is (1989)
Seminal Chicago house was a US hit.
97. Tina Moore - Never Gonna Let You Go (Kelly G Bump-N-Go remix) (1997)
Two-steppin' remake of Tina Moore's 1995 original. Brilliant.
98. Todd Terry Project - Weekend (1988)
Classic and essential.
99. Tori Amos - Professional Widow (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' remix) (1996)
"It's gotta be big," and indeed this was. Critically respected and a timeless hit.
100. Ultra Nate - Free (Mood II Swing remix) (1997)
This worldwide million seller became an instant classic. Gorgeous.

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