Puppy Dance Party

December 8, 2014 11:02 AM

I work from home, and I want to institute periodic dance breaks throughout my day, to force me out of my chair and pump me up a little, since I'm prone to desk hypnosis. Also, my dogs think it's awesome when we dance.

I don't really listen to a lot of music anymore, and I get only minimal pop music exposure, so I need suggestions for songs to add to my playlist. I am fine with total hook-infested lowest-common-denominator stuff, though I would prefer nothing unignorably misogynist. Desires:

- Fast enough to dance to
- Must have words, preferably mostly sung
- Catchy/hooky/infectious is great, gimmicky is fine too
- 5 minutes, give or take
- I'm going to feel kind of goofy doing this, so I would say I skew to party/dumb/fun themes rather than sexy unless it is one of those unstoppable booty-shaking type of songs.

Basically, if you would dance around with children (ones you like/have to live with) to it, it'll probably work for me. These will probably get played on my phone, so YouTube links will work as well as stuff I can buy from the usual outlets.

Best selections will probably also end up on a playlist for walk-running.

Bonus: I have an XM radio, if you can suggest stations I can reliably turn on and find something workable within a few minutes.

posted by Lyn Never to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (24 answers total)

Can You Feel It, a house track from Sander Kleinenberg, just released, is super danceable.
posted by Dragonness at 11:08 AM on December 8, 2014

When I was writing my thesis I did this by playing Dance Dance Revolution; even without the dance pad, 5 minutes of this is some up-pumping quality.

More recently, my kid and I have been having a nonstop dance party to Weird Al's newest album since it came out. link to videos of many of them, except for the best part which is the polka medley.
posted by tchemgrrl at 11:14 AM on December 8, 2014

"Hey Ya!" by OutKast has wonder-working [dance] power.
posted by divined by radio at 11:16 AM on December 8, 2014 [4 favorites]

Dance Apocalyptic - Janelle Monae (I am typing this while sort of hopping around in my office, because the video's open in another tab).
posted by rtha at 11:17 AM on December 8, 2014 [2 favorites]

Any Calabria mix.
posted by slipthought at 11:30 AM on December 8, 2014 [1 favorite]

Who let the Dogs Out?

Happy
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:30 AM on December 8, 2014 [1 favorite]

Mambo No. 5 has on two separate occasions come through for me when people were supposed to dance and no one was dancing. I think it should work for you and your dogs.
posted by capricorn at 11:35 AM on December 8, 2014 [1 favorite]

You can watch videos on youtube of people's Let's Play clips from Just Dance or DDR or similar and then just dance along.
posted by poffin boffin at 11:40 AM on December 8, 2014

Junior Senior! Here's move your feet and Coconuts. Dare you not to dance.
posted by prewar lemonade at 11:58 AM on December 8, 2014 [1 favorite]

Becky G's "Shower" is good for this!
posted by c'mon sea legs at 12:10 PM on December 8, 2014

I'm really surprised that I'm the first to recommend the Fungineers in this thread.

Also:
- Harlem
- Cameo Lover
- You've Changed
- Valerie [Mark Ronson cover]
- Ya'll Get Back Now
posted by Poppa Bear at 12:36 PM on December 8, 2014

And just in case, Shake it Off.
posted by Poppa Bear at 12:39 PM on December 8, 2014 [1 favorite]

Tightrope.

(I'm trying to stop, I swear)
posted by Poppa Bear at 12:40 PM on December 8, 2014 [1 favorite]

Rock Lobster!
The B-52's are always appropriate. Also...
posted by mdrew at 12:46 PM on December 8, 2014

I used to dance with my baby daughter to Little Bitty. She's 19 now, and we still have the occasional impromptu dance party break out when we hear it out in the wild.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 1:30 PM on December 8, 2014

Any of the DJ Earworm mashups. Even more fun if you're remotely aware of a given year's top songs.
posted by kitkatcathy at 2:20 PM on December 8, 2014

We are the winners, watch us glimmer!
posted by cashman at 3:33 PM on December 8, 2014

I still run this thing like a DanceHall Queen
posted by cashman at 3:40 PM on December 8, 2014

Santigold - I'm a Lady (Benny Blanco Rmx)
Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine (Lido Remix)
posted by cashman at 4:00 PM on December 8, 2014

I have no sense of rhythm, but this song alone out of any song I've heard makes me wish I could. has me spinning & dancing around the house like a whirling dervish laughing & singing along much to the astonishment of my dogs and husband.

This is the New Year. by A Great Big World.
posted by wwax at 5:40 PM on December 8, 2014

Favela B-Boy Funk - freQnik & Wrde
One to Grow On - The UMCs
Groove is in the Heart - Deee-Lite
Tukka Yoot's Riddim - US3
I Want You Back [ Readymade 524 Mix ] - Jackson 5

Have fun!
posted by jammy at 8:27 AM on December 9, 2014

Also, you should check out the PopTron channel at Soma FM.
posted by jammy at 8:33 AM on December 9, 2014

Aloe Blacc - Can You Do This
Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoes
Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend
Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A Ring)
Commodores - Brick House
Katrina & The Waves - Walking On Sunshine
Spice Girls - Spice Up Your Life
New Kids on the Block - Remix (I Like The)
Shakira ft Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't Lie
Toni Basil - Mickey
Vengaboys - We Like To Party
Will Smith - Wild Wild West
posted by bluesapphires at 7:48 PM on December 9, 2014

I Like to Move It by Will I Am. 3:05 version. Or 2:50 version.
posted by bryon at 3:04 AM on December 10, 2014