Ballroom dancing music

Ballroom dancing is one of the oldest dance forms. Modern ballroom dancing, which had it roots in the early 20th century, has gained new popularity in recent years partially due to the emergence of “dancesport” (competitive dancing).

An overview of ballroom dancing

All over the world, couples have re-discovered the world of panache and fun known as ballroom dancing. Besides the social and entertainment benefits, it’s a great form of exercise and encourages mental acumen.

If you’re thinking about learning how to dance ballroom style, you’ll find many dancing schools and courses that feature ballroom dancing exclusively. You’ll need to decide whether you want to learn to dance socially or competitively (or both). And, to do it right, lots of practice may be necessary.

Traditional ballroom dancing encompasses lots of styles and rhythms, and includes dances like the Tango, Waltz, Foxtrot, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Jive, Cha-cha, Rumba, Bolero, Lindy, Salsa and Mambo.

Some ballroom dance music song suggestions

Each style of ballroom dance music conforms to a set tempo and meter, usually 3/4 or 4/4. And each dance mode embraces a large number of songs that are popular for that individual style of dance.

If you’re looking to build a library of good ballroom dance music, here are some song suggestions to get you started:

• Waltz. “Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet” (Andy Williams), “Tennessee Waltz” (Patti Page), “Moon River” (Henry Mancini),  “The Dark Waltz” (Hayley West), “Three Times a Lady” (The Commodores), “Take It to the Limit (Eagles), “May I Have This Dance” (Anne Murray) “You Light Up My Life” (Debbie Boone), “Only One Road” (Celine Dion).
• Tango. “El Tango do Roxanne” (Ewan McGregor), “Tango” (Kenny G), “Cell Block Tango” (from the movie “Chicago”) “Hernando’s Hideaway” (Alfred Hause) “La Paloma” (Placido Domingo), “El Choclo” (Juan D’Arienzo), “Jalousie” (Alfred Hause).
• Foxtrot. “Anything Goes” (Count Basie), “Call Me Irresponsible” (Bobby Darin), “Night and Day” (Dionne Warwick) “On a Slow Boat” (Benny Goodman), “I Got Rhythm” (Lena Horne), “Taking a Chance on Love” (Dinah Shore) “Begin the Beguine” (Ella Fitzgerald), “You Make Me Feel So Young” (Frank Sinatra).
• Cha-cha. “Guantanamera” (Los Lobos), “All I Want to Do” (Cheryl Crow), “Tea for Two Cha-Cha” (Tommy Dorsey), “Let’s Get Loud” (Jennifer Lopez), “Oye Como Va” (Santana), “Watermelon Man” (Mongo Santamaria), “La Ultima Noche” (Jose Feleciano).
• Rumba. “I’m Not Giving You Up” (Gloria Estefan), “Let’s Stay Together” (Al Green), “Falling Into You” (Celine Dion), “Unbreak My Heart” (Toni Braxton), “Perfida” (John Altman), “A Day in the Life of a Fool” (Harry Belafonte), “Besame Mucho” (Diana Krall), “Emotion” (Destiny’s Child), “Woman In Love” (Barbra Streisand).
• Jive. “What’s Next?” (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) “Zoot Suit Riot” (Cherry Poppin’ Daddies), “Rock and Roll Music” (Chuck Berry), Hit the Road Jack (Ray Charles), “Footloose” (Kenny Loggins), “Baby Likes to Rock It” (The Tractors), “House of Blue Lights (Asleep at the Wheel), “Jailhouse Rock” (Elvis Presley).
• East Coast Swing. “Mustang Sally” (Wilson Pickett), “Operator” (The Manhattan Transfer), “Help Me Rhonda” (The Beach Boys), “How Sweet It Is (Michael Buble), “Two By Two’ (Tony Bennett), “Addicted to Love” (Robert Palmer)
• West Coast Swing. “Ring My Bells” (Enrique Iglasias), “Cowboy Up” (Vince Gill and Gretchen Wilson), “All for You” (Janet Jackson), “I Feel Lucky” (Mary Chapin Carpenter), “Kiss” (Prince), “Peel Me a Grape” (Diana Krall) “Sex Bomb” (Tom Jones), “West Coast Swing” (Robin Greenstein).
• Mambo. “Papa Loves Mambo” (Perry Como), Mambo Italiano” (Rosemary Clooney), “Mambo #5” (Lou Bega), “Playing it Cool” (H. Riviera), “Tequila” (Francisco Montero), “Aprendelo Como Yo” (Bobby Quesada), “El Preso” (Fruko y Sus Tesos).