‘Music For The Dancers’ N°606 – 2010s Music Videos

1 . Fleur East – Favourite Thing

Released in January 2019, Fleur East’s “Favourite Thing” serves as a bold and rhythmic return to the music scene, following her departure from Syco Music.

The song incorporates Afrobeat elements alongside a polished pop production, mixing infectious beats with a narrative centered on joy and attraction.

East worked with co-writers Ben Hart, Alex Ross, and James Essien to craft a track filled with energy, accentuated by producer Ayo Beatz’s Afro-swing signature.

The vibrant music video, launched on YouTube shortly after the single’s release, makes a pointed nod to East’s Ghanaian heritage, featuring traditional attire and choreography reflective of West African culture.

While it didn’t dominate major global charts, the song reached #18 in the UK, benefiting from East’s strategic promotion on television and social media platforms.

Her performance on *The Greatest Dancer* in January 2019 added to its momentum, cementing its status as a lively, spirited offering in the world of contemporary pop-fusion tracks.

Featured on the 2020 album “Fearless”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Instagram

2 . JLS – She Makes Me Wanna (w/ Dev)

“She Makes Me Wanna” struts into the room with unapologetically glossy production, courtesy of RedOne, embodying a quintessential 2011 party anthem.

JLS, at the height of their UK boyband dominance, crafted this track as a shimmering ode to nightlife escapism, with Dev’s feature lending a polished hook that sticks like spilt soda on a club floor.

The electropop beats are tailor-made for crowded dance floors, pulsing with just enough energy to ignite the standard weekend euphoria, though the lyrics remain firmly in the realm of lightweight party chatter.

Sliding into its debut week with over 98,000 copies sold, it claimed a number-one spot on the UK Singles Chart—a feat both predictable and impressive given JLS’s streak at the time.

The accompanying video, drenched in sun-kissed Miami aesthetics, doubles down on escapism, offering a candy-colored collage of beach scenes and illuminated nightlife sans any narrative ambition.

This track thrived not on novelty but on execution, skillfully bouncing through the late-aughts dance-pop formula without overthinking its purpose or overstaying its welcome.

Dev’s presence adds an international flair, even if her features lean more into pop filler territory than genuine innovation, but it works in the context of what the track aims to be—a well-oiled vehicle for feel-good vibes.

The song’s relentless adherence to uplifting energy secured its place not only in summer playlists but in the arenas of JLS’s 2012 “4th Dimension” tour, where it functioned as both a crowd pleaser and a halftime sugar rush.

With Platinum certification validating its commercial viability, it remains a track that understands its lane: delivering infectious beats without any pretense of lyrical depth or conceptual ambition.

You won’t find groundbreaking artistry here, but that’s beside the point; this is pure adrenaline, served in three-and-a-half slick minutes of synth and swagger.

Featured on the 2011 album “Jukebox”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

3 . Jessie J – Domino

Few tracks mirror pop precision quite like Jessie J’s smash hit “Domino,” a standout from the deluxe release of *Who You Are* in 2011.

Penned by an elite songwriting squad that included Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Claude Kelly, the song bursts with synthetic exuberance, mixing radio-ready polish with just enough edge to remain engaging.

The production, calibrated by Dr. Luke and Cirkut, leans heavily on a formulaic but undeniably effective pop-dance template, sparking endless debates around its sonic similarity to Katy Perry’s catalog—a comparison that feels as unavoidable as it is repetitive.

Lyrically, the song punches in clichés of freedom and exhilaration, a glitter-filled anthem engineered for serotonin spikes rather than deep reflections.

Its success was nothing short of staggering, notching Jessie her second UK chart-topper and peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her best U.S. performance to that date.

The song’s accompanying video opts for a chaotic blast of colors and style flips, mirroring the track’s sugary adrenaline but offering little lasting visual intrigue.

Performance-wise, Jessie leaned heavily into its effervescent vibe, delivering frenetic renditions on major platforms like the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards and *The Voice UK*, where she balanced sass with technical precision.

While “Domino” doesn’t reinvent the wheel, its insistence on relentless, upbeat energy elevates it to the realm of commercial pop’s most persistent earworms.

Nods to empowerment feel perfunctory rather than poignant, but the song is far too invested in being fun to stumble under such scrutiny.

Love it, tolerate it, or tire of it, “Domino” persistently occupies playlists and airwaves—a caffeine shot of pop intent that asks no deeper questions and answers none.

Featured on the 2011 album “Who You Are”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

4 . Dawin – Dessert (w/ Silentó)

“Dessert” by Dawin, featuring Silentó, is a sugary concoction of pop, R&B, and electronic elements that unapologetically leans into its infectious simplicity.

The track, released in 2015, owes part of its success to the whip/nae nae dance craze, a cultural wave Silentó was already riding high on following his own viral anthem.

Rhythm-heavy and unapologetically playful, the song presents itself as a slice of digital-age pop designed to thrive on social media snippets and looping platforms like Vine and TikTok.

Structured to hook listeners within seconds, “Dessert” thrives on repetition, groove, and a cheeky sense of humor that revels in its own frivolity.

Despite its seemingly lightweight nature, the track secured serious commercial mileage, achieving multi-platinum status in Australia and charting comfortably across European markets.

Casablanca Records released it, with Dawin both as artist and producer, ensuring every element felt deliberately calibrated for maximum pop currency.

The music video, teeming with bold colors and kinetic energy, cemented its viral appeal, amassing millions of YouTube views that testify to the track’s trend-chasing magic.

Dawin’s performance on mainstream platforms like “The Today Show” underscores the track’s reach beyond a niche audience, though its appeal arguably hinges on its ephemeral, zeitgeist-driven charm rather than enduring substance.

Credit where it’s due: Silentó’s feature adds a spark of dynamic contrast, though some might argue his inclusion rides more on the novelty factor than deep musical compatibility.

While “Dessert” might not claim a place in the halls of pop’s most profound artistic statements, its capacity to energize dance floors and social feeds is undeniable.

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5 . Cliq – Wavey

“Wavey” by Cliq steps into the room with a confident swagger, pairing house grooves with Alika’s sharp rap delivery in a way that’s hard to ignore.

The 2017 track, tinged with bass-heavy undertones, pulsates with the kind of energy designed to keep late-night crowds moving without pause.

Released via Columbia Records, it’s less about storytelling and more about capturing a mood—one where freedom feels as accessible as the next beat drop.

The production leans into a polished, club-ready aesthetic, paying homage to the UK’s electronic scene while staying approachable enough for mass playlists.

The video complements the track’s vibe with flashy, celebratory visuals that place the listeners directly at the center of an unfiltered night out.

Alika’s contributions elevate the piece, her no-nonsense performance providing a necessary edge to what could otherwise have been standard electronic fare.

The track later found additional life through remix versions, a testament to its malleability within DJ sets and underground circles.

Its streaming success reinforces its staying power, proving that sometimes, all a song needs is the right blend of rhythm, charisma, and a slight wink at its own cool to leave its mark.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Instagram

6 . Luis Fonsi – Échame La Culpa

Released as a standalone single in 2017, Luis Fonsi’s “Échame La Culpa” brought together reggaeton flair and tropical pop sensibilities in a bilingual duet with Demi Lovato.

The track pulls its energy from a sharp interplay between Spanish and English lyrics, giving it a broader appeal while balancing levity and emotional undercurrents in its narrative of reconciliation and blame.

Lovato’s first venture into Spanish-language music added a fresh dynamic, though her vocal delivery, admittedly strong, veered more into pop melodrama than reggaeton subtlety.

Fonsi, still somewhat riding the tidal wave of “Despacito,” offsets this with his polished yet instinctively rhythmic performance, though at times the production’s cleanliness borders on overly sanitized radio-readiness.

Its climb to #47 on the Billboard Hot 100 and domination of European and Latin American charts demonstrated its global resonance, even if critics might question the depth beneath its glossy surface.

Directed by Carlos Pérez, the music video threw vibrant visuals into the mix, achieving the requisite one-billion-view milestone, though it leaned on expected tropes of choreographed playfulness and romantic tropics.

While this may not rewrite pop history, its breezy catchiness and cross-cultural framework leave it lodged in the playlist of contemporary Latin pop iconography.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Twitter

7 . Jason Derulo – Tip Toe (w/ French Montana)

“Tip Toe” from Jason Derulo and French Montana hits with a rhythm that feels like a mischievous wink across a crowded room. Released in late 2017 as part of a “Platinum Hits” reissue, the track leans heavily into tropical and dancehall influences, expertly packaged by producers Pip Kembo, Bantu, and King P.

Jason Derulo’s signature falsetto glides over a pulsating beat designed to jolt even the laziest corners of a nightclub to life, while French Montana’s feature adds a layer of gritty coolness, like bourbon tossed into a fruity cocktail. It’s fun, sure, but the real star of this song might be its spirited music video— a colorful montage of high-energy choreography and lavish visuals that cater to a culture of online moment-sharing.

The single caught fire in the UK, climbing as high as the fifth spot on the chart, while getting only a polite nod stateside. Its appeal isn’t exactly universal, yet there’s an undeniable swagger here that knows its audience well and banks on being remembered less for depth and more for pure, unadulterated rhythm.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

8 . Nadia Ali & iiO – Rapture

“Rapture” doesn’t merely check the boxes for early-2000s club hits—it sears its way into your memory like the glow of neon against a rain-drenched cityscape.

Nadia Ali’s voice, sultry yet detached, imbues the track with an almost otherworldly allure, as though she’s whispering secrets from some astral plane.

Produced by Markus Moser, the song seamlessly combines progressive house with trance, creating a pulsating undercurrent that throbs with urgency and unspoken desire.

The lyrics exude a cocktail of passion, connection, and mystery, making it a quintessential anthem for dimly lit, crowded dance floors where people lose themselves in the beat.

Its global chart success, peaking impressively at #2 in the UK, is matched only by its ubiquity in DJ sets, bolstered further by remixes from heavyweights like Armin van Buuren and Deep Dish.

The music video, a surreal blend of futurism and fantasy, has aged like an artifact of a bygone aesthetic, still captivating for all its sharp edges.

In 2010, Ali reimagined the track for her “Queen of Clubs Trilogy,” proving its malleability within the genre, though the original remains the definitive incarnation, full of smoky desire and relentless rhythm.

Featured on the 2006 album “Poetica”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Twitter

9 . Chris Brown – Beautiful People (w/ Benny Benassi)

Chris Brown’s “Beautiful People,” crafted alongside Italian DJ Benny Benassi, lands squarely in the world of electro house, merging dance-pop energy with a glossy, pulsating beat.

Released as part of Brown’s 2011 album “F.A.M.E.,” it layers themes of self-expression and positivity over a backbone of relentless electronic rhythm.

The song balances shimmering synths with Brown’s smooth vocals, creating a track that thrives equally on dance floors and festival stages.

Critics and fans alike acknowledged its mass appeal, with the song climbing to the top of the UK Dance Chart and landing comfortably in the upper echelons of other global charts.

The accompanying video, rich with cameos from industry heavyweights like T-Pain and Nelly, is less a narrative and more a montage of carefree studio moments and high-energy party scenes.

This isn’t uncharted territory for either artist, but their collaboration injects a fresh hybrid of R&B hooks and club-ready edginess.

While “Beautiful People” doesn’t disrupt genre conventions, its sheer celebratory momentum is hard to resist, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the glimmering production’s carefree joy.

Featured on the 2011 album “F.A.M.E.”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

10 . Jennifer Lopez – On The Floor

“On the Floor” emerges as a pulsating anthem, pulling inspiration from Kaoma’s 1989 global hit “Lambada” and infusing it with an infectious club-ready energy.

Jennifer Lopez, paired with Pitbull, crafts a track that feels like a formulaic attempt at global domination, blending Latin pop influences with polished production from hitmaker RedOne.

The rhythm, undeniably catchy, is designed for nightlife frenzy, while the lyrics encourage the listener to abandon all inhibitions—strictly on brand for Lopez’s return to the charts.

Commercial success was inevitable, with its calculated hooks and mass appeal, cementing its status as a chart favorite in over 30 countries.

While undeniably effective in its mission, “On the Floor” doesn’t prioritize nuance or depth, fixating instead on being an anthem for the moment.

The accompanying Taj Stansberry-directed video, with its opulent visuals and energetic choreography, found its audience, racking up billions of views on YouTube.

This track doesn’t break musical ground but serves as a high-energy, accessible reminder of pop’s ability to hook into our collective pulse—even if it leans on nostalgia and repetition to do so.

Featured on the 2011 album “Love?”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

11 . Avicii – Lonely Together (w/ Rita Ora)

“Lonely Together,” a striking pairing of Avicii’s production finesse and Rita Ora’s vocal brightness, captures fleeting connections in an age of transient emotions.

Emerging from Avicii’s 2017 “Avīci (01)” EP, its polished electronic beats complement Ora’s yearning lyrics, creating a duality of euphoria and vulnerability.

Co-written by a team including Avicii, Ora, and Benny Blanco, the song ascends with shimmering synths that evoke both longing and exhilaration, painting a portrait of temporary escape.

The accompanying music video, directed by Levan Tsikurishvili, amplifies the theme with surreal visuals, featuring characters defying the laws of physics in frozen moments of intimacy and chaos.

Commercially, the track soared to No. 4 on the UK charts and resonated globally, cementing its place as a late-era Avicii classic before his untimely passing in 2018.

More a bittersweet anthem than a club banger, it balances effervescent production with introspective undertones, creating a multilayered listening experience worth revisiting.

Featured on the 2018 album “Phoenix”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

12 . Benny Benassi – Cinema (w/ Gary Go)

Benny Benassi’s “Cinema,” featuring the restrained yet affecting voice of Gary Go, slices through the electronic music landscape with a laser-focused precision that balances pulsating beats and syrupy melody.

Released in 2011 as part of Benassi’s “Electroman” album, the track merges yearning lyrics with razor-sharp production, crafting a sound teetering between cinematic grandeur and club euphoria.

Its chart trajectory speaks volumes about its reception—breaking into the UK Singles Chart’s top 20 while climbing to #8 on the UK Dance Chart, a feat for a track that doesn’t sacrifice subtlety for mass appeal.

The Skrillex remix, infamous for transforming the song’s ethereal melancholy into a chaotic dubstep avalanche, earned a Grammy nod in 2012. And while some purists argue the remix cannibalizes the original’s emotional core, there’s no denying its cultural imprint or mainstream resonance.

Benassi’s production takes the kind of risks often sanitized out of EDM, presenting a track less about mindless hedonism and more about melancholic reverie.

Its perennial placement at sprawling festivals like Ultra and Electric Daisy is a testament to its adaptability—it thrives in sweaty crowds just as much as in solitary headphone moments.

The accompanying video, with its visuals steeped in sleek minimalism, further bolsters the song’s duality: a blend of personal intimacy and synthetic vastness.

Whether embraced for its original elegance or its feral remix incarnation, “Cinema” doesn’t sit still—it evolves in the memory, much like the genre it so deftly represents.

Featured on the 2011 album “Electroman”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site