Billboard's Year-End 2013 Dance Songs of the Year

This year's #1 on the Billboard Top 50 Dance/Club Songs chart really blew me away! What a refreshing surprise that the UK's Emile Sande's "Next to Me," from her 2012 album release, is at the top. Sande is truly a diva to keep your eye on and your ears open for. This soul/funk upbeat throwback highlights the Scottish singer's distinctive vocals and songwriting skills. Mirrorball's Big Room mix is best in my opinion. How nice to have this settle atop the US chart!

Next to her, at #2, is Christina Aguilera's "Let There Be Love." More disco funk in fourth place with Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," a definite neuveau-disco and certainly one of the year's best dance tunes.

Frankly, though, there's a lot of crap at the top of the chart until you get to the acceptable "People Like Us" by Kelly Clarkson, at # 18 another pop radio tune remixed for clubs rather than a song intended for them. (She is also at #31 with "Catch My Breath.") Lovely to find Yoko Ono at #19 and Kylie Minogue's "Skirt" at #22.

Ellie Goulding occupies both the 24th and 26th spots. In the prior, she is featured vocalist on dance producer Calvin Harris' "I Need Your Love" and is solo star in the latter slot's "Anything Could Happen." Katy Perry's "Roar" at #27, again topping Lady Gaga on the chart though LaGa's release ("Applause") came later in the year and appears on the chart as numero 35.

Depeche Mode scored a major dance hit with "Heaven" (#29). Very happy to see Chris Cox + Dj Frankie's "Oh Mama Hey," featuring the voice of Crystal Waters, at #41. Truly one of my faves of 2013 that can bring me to the dancefloor any time. Tori Amos' "Flavor" is #42, buoyed by one of the late, great Peter Rauhofer's final remixes.

Cher's "Woman's World" sneaks in at #46, released mid-year.

And there we have it: your Hit Parade per Billboard featuring some of our current, beloved divas. Have a safe, holiday season and support the artists and the club venues and let's hope 2015 will bring a big return to true dance/club music for us all.



You can see the full Billboard round-up by visiting:
http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-dance-club-play-songs