Music of the Spheres:

Platonic Ideals of Social Dance Music

In this exhibit, you’ll find a single canonical example of a song for dancing each of 40 different social dances.

Obviously, the choice of one “Platonic ideal” for each dance is bound to be contentious, so I apologize in advance if your favorite songs didn’t make the list. But in choosing each song, I have tried my best to represent what is unique and interesting about each style of dance, to serve as a “hook” for those who are new to it.

If you want to learn more about a particular dance, I have provided links to additional resources for each one.

Bachata

Te Extraño

Artist: Xtreme

For more Bachata music, click here.

For Bachata demo videos, click here.

For Bachata teaching videos, click here.

Blues

I Got the Blues

Artist: Brother Yusef

For more Blues music, click here.

For Blues demo videos, click here.

Bluesy Waltz

Not the Same

Artist: Mingo Fishtrap

For more Bluesy Waltz music, click here.

For Bluesy Waltz demo videos, click here.

Box Step Waltz

Moon River

Artist: Andy Williams

For more Box Step Waltz music, click here.

For Box Step Waltz demo videos, click here.

Cha Cha

Smooth

Artist: Santana, Rob Thomas

For more Cha Cha music, click here.

For Cha Cha demo videos, click here.

Cross-Step Waltz

Arwen’s Vigil

Artist: The Piano Guys

For more Cross-Step Waltz music, click here.

For Cross-Step Waltz demo videos, click here.

For Cross-Step Waltz teaching videos, click here.

Cumbia

Como La Flor

Artist: Selena

For more Cumbia music, click here.

East Coast Swing

In the Mood

Artist: Glenn Miller Orchestra

For more East Coast Swing music, click here.

For East Coast Swing demo videos, click here.

For East Coast Swing teaching videos, click here.

Five-Step Waltz

From Eden

Artist: Hozier

For more contemporary Five-Step Waltz music, click here.

For vintage Five-Step Waltz music, click here.

Foxtrot

Beyond the Sea

Artist: Robbie Williams

For more Foxtrot music, click here.

For Foxtrot demo videos, click here.

For Foxtrot teaching videos, click here.

Fusion

Movement

Artist: Hozier

For more Fusion music, click here.

For Fusion demo videos, click here.

Hambo

Trollspolska

Artist: Laurie Hart & Sarah Cummings

For more Hambo music, click here.

Hesitation Waltz

Meant

Artist: Elizaveta

For more Hesitation Waltz music, click here.

For Hesitation Waltz teaching videos, click here.

Kizomba

No Bai

Artist: Sonnos

For more Kizomba music, click here.

For Kizomba demo videos, click here.

Mazurka (Balfolk)

Des haus débats

Artist: Accordzêam

For more Balfolk Mazurka music, click here.

For Balfolk Mazurka demo videos, click here.

Mazurka (Vintage)

The Rock Wren

Artist: Rodney Sauer

For more Vintage Mazurka music, click here.

For Vintage Mazurka demo videos, click here.

Merengue

Suavemente

Artist: Elvis Crespo

For more Merengue music, click here.

For Merengue teaching videos, click here.

Milonga

El Esquinazo

Artist: Juan D’Arienzo

For more Milonga music, click here.

Newport

leaf on leaf

Artist: 明星 (Akeboshi)

For more Newport music, click here.

For a Newport demo video, click here.

Nightclub Two Step

Thinking Out Loud

Artist: Ed Sheeran

For more Nightclub Two Step music, click here.

For Nightclub Two Step demo videos, click here.

For Nightclub Two Step teaching videos, click here.

One Step

Bad Boy Good Man

Artist: Tape Five, Henrik Wagner

For more One Step music, click here.

Polka (Balfolk)

Polka Surplas

Artist: Shillelagh

For more Balfolk Polka music, click here.

Polka (Vintage)

Be Okay

Artist: Oh Honey

Note:

For more Vintage Polka music, click here.

For Vintage Polka demo videos, click here.

Redowa

Nara (Theme to Cold Case)

Artist: E. S. Posthumus

For more Redowa music, click here.

For Redowa demo videos, click here.

Rotary Waltz

Perfectly Broken

Artist: BANNERS, Lily Meola

For more Rotary Waltz music, click here.

For Rotary Waltz demo videos, click here.

For Rotary Waltz teaching videos, click here.

Rumba

Those Sweet Words

Artist: Norah Jones

For more Rumba music, click here.

For Rumba demo videos, click here.

Salsa

Vivir Mi Vida

Artist: Marc Anthony

For more Salsa music, click here.

For Salsa demo videos, click here.

For Salsa teaching videos, click here.

Samba

Say Hey (I Love You)

Artist: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Cherine Tanya Anderson

For more Samba music, click here.

For Samba demo videos, click here.

Scottish (Balfolk)

Cranberrie (scottish)

Artist: Rémi Geffroy

For more Balfolk Scottish music, click here.

Schottische (Vintage)

What the Hell

Artist: Avril Lavigne

For more Vintage Schottische music, click here.

For Vintage Schottische demo videos, click here.

Sokkie

Kaptein

Artist: Kurt Darren

For more Sokkie music, click here.

For Sokkie demo videos, click here.

Street Swing

Your Song

Artist: Rita Ora

For more Street Swing music, click here.

For Street Swing demo videos, click here.

For Street Swing teaching videos, click here.

Tango

La Cumparsita

Artist: Amerimambo

For more Tango music, click here.

For Tango demo videos, click here.

For Tango teaching videos, click here.

Tango Vals

Corazón de Oro

Artist: Lalo Schifrin

For more Tango Vals music, click here.

Texas Two Step

Night Shift

Artist: Jon Pardi

For more Texas Two Step music, click here.

For Texas Two Step demo videos, click here.

For Texas Two Step teaching videos, click here.

Waltz Galop

Right Round

Artist: Flo Rida, Kesha

For more Waltz Galop music, click here.

West Coast Swing

911

Artist: Teddy Swims

For more West Coast Swing music, click here.

For West Coast Swing demo videos, click here.

For West Coast Swing teaching videos, click here.

Zouk

Suncity (feat. Empress Of)

Artist: Khalid, Empress Of

For more Zouk music, click here.

For Zouk demo videos, click here.

Zwiefacher

Eisenkeil

Artist: Franzl Obermeier Und Seine Blasmusik

For more Zwiefacher music, click here.

For Zwiefacher demo videos, click here.

Zydeco

Zydeco Diva

Artist: Lil' Nathan & The Zydeco Big Timers

For more Zydeco music, click here.

Updated: February 2025
First Displayed: February 2025