Eurodance and its importance in 2020’s electronic dance music

Reading the title probably makes you wonder (in case you were born after 2000 of course) what Euro Dance is, why are you putting this article on an edm course’s page? I promise you, it will all make sense by the end of this article.

It is 1992, I am only 6 years old standing on my grandma’s porch when all of a sudden my uncle Cyril starts singing: “It’s my life, my worries (it’s my life)”. I‘m stunned like “what”?

What I heard was one of the most iconic Eurodance singles of all time by Dr Alban – It’s My Life. For me, it was a soft introduction to the world of the future.

Now I want you to hit the play button on the video to the right and listen while reading. I’m going to take you on a journey back in time to the 1990s. A time when electronic beats and catchy melodies were the heart and soul of the European music scene.

Ah, Eurodance! If you think about it, Eurodance was like that infectious rhythm that you couldn’t help but move to. It was the kind of music that made you feel alive, happy, and ready to dance the night away.

Now, if you’re wondering, “What exactly is Eurodance?” Well, it’s a genre that beautifully blends elements of house, techno, and, of course, dance. It’s characterized by its lush synth riffs, strong beats, groovy percussions, and, most notably, catchy, often repetitive vocal hooks. Just listen to “2 Unlimited – No limit!” with its incredibly “hard” to remember the chorus: “No no, no no no no, no no no no, no no there’s no limit! And trust me, once you hear a Eurodance track, it’s hard to get it out of your head!

Originating in the late 1980s, Eurodance quickly gained momentum in the 1990s. It was the kind of music that transcended borders, making waves not just in Europe but across the planet. Artists and groups like 2 Unlimited, La Bouche, and Culture Beat became household names, delivering hit after hit that dominated the charts. But here’s the thing – while Eurodance was undeniably upbeat and energetic, it wasn’t just about the beats and melodies. It often carried messages of love, unity, and peace, resonating with listeners on a deeper level. It was more than just music; it was a movement, a cultural phenomenon that defined a generation.

I remember those days, when every club and radio station would be blasting Eurodance tracks, and the dance floors would be packed with people moving in unison to the rhythm. It was a time of unity, joy, and pure musical ecstasy.

It was a very special time for me especially when I came into my teens and could finally go out and dance at a “discotheque” with my friends and enjoy the 4/4 beat part of the night when the DJ blasted one hit of the moment after the other from names like GALA, Alice DJ, Vengaboys, Paffendorf, Captain Jack, Aqua, U96, Snap! And later the German-influenced “Trance” from my friends Paul van Dyk, Talla 2xlc, and Armin van Buuren, but let’s go back to the subject of Euro Dance.

So, if you ever find yourself reminiscing about the good old days or just want to experience the magic of Eurodance, dive into some classic tracks. Let the music transport you back in time, and trust me, you’ll be dancing like it’s 1999!

In essence, Eurodance is not just a genre; it’s an emotion, a feeling of nostalgia, and a testament to the power of music to bring people together. And even today, its influence can be felt in modern electronic and dance music. We are now in a moment of huge importance, especially after what happened during COVID-19 when we were all forced to separate and stay home. We missed the unity, the dance, and the music. This actually might be one of the main reasons why so many producers like David Guetta or Hypaton recently blasted out so many reworks of these Eurodance classics.

One producer did take it to a whole new level and he did not rework any old song he took this iconic style and created something new that sounds super fresh to nowadays generation and brings my generation to “the good old days” of Eurodance. I am talking about Calvin Harris, the number one EDM producer on Spotify! His recent productions like “Miracle” with Ellie Goulding or “Desire” with Sam Smith completely took over listeners’ playlists and guess what? Yet again, it is transforming the music industry like Tsunami!

This 20-year rework cycle actually happens every couple of decades. I’m going to be very honest with you, This isn’t just a random observation. There’s a deeper phenomenon at play here, and it’s something that’s intrigued music enthusiasts and producers like us for years. Can you guess what that is? The answer to that will be discussed in a future blog post so subscribe to our email newsletter at the bottom of our page as we’ll be talking about it in a future blog post.

If you wonder how to make Euro Dance in the style of Calvin Harris, then join me LIVE on Zoom on September 30th 2023 where I’ll be teaching a full Masterclass on How To Make Euro Dance like Calvin Harris. Click here to sign up now >>> ENROLL.

Thank you and have an amazing day in the studio!

love you all,

Tibor/ReOrder