Let’s Go Dancing

Written By Kensedeobong Okosun

"Let's Go Dancing" is a heartfelt and contagious song invitation from the Funk/Soul Band of the 1970s, Kool & The Gang, to participate in the art of dance.

The dance is a form of non-verbal communication and conduit of human emotions. It is a coordinated and harmonious movement of the body in response to sound which transcends the borders of mere artistic performativity or artistic expression and positions itself in the realm of everyday living, while impacting the physical, social and cultural.

Physically, the dance is significant in weight management enhancement, muscle strengthening, cardiovascular (heart), neurological (brain) and osteological (bones) health improvement. The dance aids in stress reduction, relaxes, lessens anxiety and stimulates the happy hormones like dopamine and endorphins.

Socially, dancing is a perfect catalyst for socialization as it stimulates laughter and fun among participants, which are key ingredients for conversations, emotional and relational bonds.

culled from : salsa latina

Culturally, the dance is one of the symbols or insignia of cultural identity as many countries are known by their dance styles. Like Argentina’s tango, Austria’s waltz, Brazil’s samba, Cuba’s salsa, The Middle East’s belly dance, Russia’s ballet, Spain’s flamenco, etc.

In this new year, let us dance some more! Laugh, some more! And be happy, some more! And here are some dance-stimulating songs for your pleasure.

  1. Angélique Kidjo. "Sango" Fifa (1996).

  2. Aretha Franklin. "Ain't Nobody Ever Loved You" Who’s Zoomin’ Who? (1985).

  3. Atlantic Starr. "Silver Shadow" As The Band Turns (1985).

  4. Awilo Longomba, feat Tiwa Savage. "Esopi Yo" (Non-album single, 2017).

  5. Barry White. "Your Sweetness Is My Weakness" The Man (1978).

  6. Beyoncé. "Party" 4 (2011).

  7. Bobby Brown. "My Prerogative" Don’t Be Cruel (1988).

  8. Brandy. "Baby" Brandy (1994).

  9. Brothers Johnson. "Stomp" Light Up The Night (1980).

  10. CeCe Peniston. "Finally" Finally (1991).

  11. Ciara. "Got Me Good" Got Me Good (2012).

  12. Celia Cruz. "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" La Negra Tiene Tumbao (2001).

  13. Colonel Abrams. "Trapped" Colonel Abrams (1985).

  14. Davido. "Gobe" (Non-album single, 2013).

  15. Deniece Williams. "Let's Hear It For The Boy" Soundtrack to the film Footloose (1984).

  16. El Debarge. "Lay With You" Second Chance (2010).

  17. Earth Wind and Fire. "Can't Let Go" I Am (1979).

  18. Earth Wind and Fire."Honor The Magic" Millenium (1993).

  19. George Michael. "Fastlove" Older (1996).

  20. Gladys Knight. "Men (remixed single edit)" Good Woman (1991).

  21. Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine. "Conga" Primitive Love (1985).

  22. Helen Baylor. "Worthy" Look A Little Closer (1991).

  23. Imagination. "Just An Illusion" In The Heat of the Night (1982).

  24. Janet Jackson."Alright" Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989).

  25. Jimmy Cliff. "Hot Shot" Cliff Hanger (1985).

  26. Joyce Sims. "Come Into My Life" Come Into My Life (1987).

  27. Karyn White. "Ritual of Love" Ritual of Love (1991).

  28. Kiss Daniel. "Buga" (Non-album single, 2022).

  29. Koffi Olomide. "Chocolat" Nkolo Lupemba (1999).

  30. Kool & The Gang. "Fresh" Emergency (1984).

  31. Lagbaja. "Konko Below" C’est Un African Thing (1996).

  32. Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson. "The Best Things In Life Are Free" Soundtrack to the film Mo’ Money (1992).

  33. Madonna. "Open Your Heart" True Blue (1986).

  34. Mavins. "Dorobucci". (2012).

  35. Melba Moore. "Love's Comin' At Ya" The Other Side Of The Rainbow (1982).

  36. Michael Jackson. "Just Good Friends" Bad (1987).

  37. Michael Jackson. "She Drives Me Wild" Dangerous (1991).

  38. Micheal Jonzun. "Burnin' Up" (Non-album single,1986).

  39. Midnight Star. "Midas Touch" Headlines (1986).

  40. Nelly Furtado. "Promiscuous" Loose (2006).

  41. New Edition. "Cool It Now" New Edition (1984).

  42. Outkast. "Hey Ya" Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003).

  43. Prince. "Raspberry Beret" Around the World in a Day (1985).

  44. Prince. "Continental" Love Symbol (1992).

  45. R. Kelly. "Dancing With A Rich Man" R. (1998).

  46. Ralph Tresvant. "Stone Cold Gentleman" Ralph Tresvant (1990).

  47. Shabba Ranks. "Ram Dancehall" A Mi Shabba (1995).

  48. Shanice Wilson. "I Love Your Smile" Inner Child (1991).

  49. Spice Girls. "Holler" Forever (2000).

  50. The Jacksons. "Body" Victory (1984).

  51. The Whispers. "Innocent" More of The Night (1990).

  52. Timbaland & Magoo. "Luv 2 Luv Ya" Welcome To Our World (1997).

  53. Toni Braxton. "Hit the Freeway" More Than A Woman (2002).

  54. Whitney Houston. "One Of Those Days" Just Whitney (2002).

  55. Wyclef Jean. "What Happened To Love" Carnival III (2017).

  56. Yolanda Adams. "Unconditional" Believe (2001).

  57. 2face Idibia. "No Shaking" Grass To Grace (2006).

DISCLAIMER: The songs on this page are not personal property, but, solely serve an entertainment purpose. Please, support the music creators.

Kensedeobong Okosun

Kensedeobong Okosun (M.A Bielefeld University) is a music enthusiast, music researcher, music journalist, vocalist and an author. Her academic article “Sisterhood and Soul Music as expressions of Black Power” is featured in the edited volume, Black Power in Hemispheric Perspective (Raussert & Steinitz, eds, 2022). She has reviewed Dorothea Gail’s Weird American Music (2019). Her article on Nigerian music has also been published on Nigeria’s news daily, The Sun Newsonline.

Kensedeobong’s blog highlights music’s interconnectivity with society and comprises personal music experiences, researched information, concept playlists for multiple themes, etc.

A hard-core 90s R&B fan, she utilises the vehicle of memory, to position long forgotten music of yesteryears on the front-burner.

She is persuaded that music is a core conduit of collective harmony, equanimity, vitality and healing. And as such requires criticality in the filtration process, in order to disseminate meaning. Her blog promotes music equality and diversity.

She resides in Germany.

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