[For Beginners] Classic EDM Songs in Western Music: A Collection of Popular, Hype Tracks
EDM—electronic dance music—often gets dismissed because people associate it with amped-up party crowds.
Perhaps many of you feel the same way.
While that image does exist, the definition of EDM, which spread rapidly from the late 2000s mainly in the U.S., is actually quite fuzzy.
Within dance music, countless experiments have produced a wide range of styles, leading to global hit songs one after another—and their ripple effects have even influenced the sound of J-pop.
Although its momentum has eased somewhat in the 2020s, this article gathers signature and classic smash-hit EDM tracks for those who want to give the genre another listen.
Beginners are welcome to check them out!
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[For Beginners] Classic Western EDM Tracks: A Roundup of Hype, Popular Songs (11–20)
PjanooEric Prydz
Characterized by a catchy keyboard melody, this track is packed with the kind of appeal that electrifies the dance floor.
Released by Eric Prydz in 2008, it received heavy rotation on UK radio and climbed high on charts in many countries.
It was used in a variety of settings—from sports event anthems to TV shows and video games.
It topped the UK Dance Chart and sold over 600,000 copies.
Beyond lighting up the club, it’s perfect for when you want an energetic boost or as a workout soundtrack.
A must-listen for anyone just getting into EDM.
Adagio For StringsTiësto
Tiesto, an indispensable figure when talking about EDM, included Adagio For Strings on his album Just Be.
The piece was originally composed by the American composer Samuel Barber, and this version is an arrangement.
While the original is in triple meter, it has been reworked into 4/4 time, resulting in a completely different atmosphere.
It’s a track you can simply get hyped to, but also one you can enjoy by comparing it with the original.
Rather BeClean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne
A refreshing, catchy track that fuses soothing electronic sounds with classical elements.
Centered on the theme of bonds with a loved one, it celebrates the happiness of being together anywhere.
Born from the collaboration between Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne, it was released in January 2014, reached No.
1 on the UK Singles Chart, and won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
Its Japan-set music video also drew attention and has been viewed over 700 million times on YouTube.
This is a recommended song for when you want to feel the connection with a partner or someone dear, or when you need a positive boost.
LevelsAvicii
A track that revolutionized the EDM scene arrived in October 2011.
Blending a sample of Etta James’s classic “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” with a distinctive synth hook, it has a magical power that gets listeners dancing instantly.
It topped the charts in Sweden and earned eight Platinum certifications, garnering immense support worldwide.
Showcasing Avicii’s talent to the fullest, this track served as a bridge that brought the appeal of EDM to a wide audience and greatly expanded the genre’s possibilities.
It’s the perfect song not only for parties but also for lifting your mood.
Purple LamborghiniSkrillex & Rick Ross
A collaboration between American DJ Skrillex and rapper Rick Ross.
It was released as a digital download in 2016 and was used in the film Suicide Squad.
It became a hit worldwide and has been certified Platinum in the United States.