‘Music For The Dancers’ N°607 – 2010s Music Videos

1 . Olly Murs – Heart Skips A Beat (w/ Rizzle Kicks)

Olly Murs’ “Heart Skips a Beat” hits like a fizzy soda on a summer day—briefly exhilarating with a touch too much sugar.

Released in 2011, this polished pop piece teams Murs with Rizzle Kicks, injecting a playful hip-hop edge into what might otherwise be a standard radio earworm.

Beneath the track’s sunny exterior, it’s essentially a song about infatuation, framed around a bouncy beat and a chorus sticky enough to haunt you for days.

The production leans heavily on precision, cranking out a bright, retro-tinged vibe that feels engineered for mass consumption.

Its rise to number one in the UK singles chart shows the formula works, even if the song’s lyrical substance plays it as safe as a kid with bubble wrap.

Rizzle Kicks’ verses inject humor and quirk but never quite steal the show; their addition feels like a late-stage compromise to give the track an edge that it only half-earns.

The accompanying UK music video underscores the breezy energy, interspersing festival scenes with slick choreography—then there’s the confusing U.S. version, replacing Rizzle Kicks with Chiddy Bang and swapping playful for Californian cool.

What saves the track from sliding into forgettable territory is its unabashed sense of fun—airy guitars and pounding rhythms make no pretense at gravitas, going straight for the dopamine hit instead.

It was even nominated for “Best British Single” at the 2012 Brit Awards, although such accolades often say more about a track’s ubiquity than its artistry.

“Heart Skips a Beat” excels not because it’s profound, but because it knows what it is—pop manufactured for maximum sing-along potential, lodged firmly in the memory whether you want it there or not.

Featured on the 2011 album “In Case You Didn’t Know”.

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

2 . Pixie Lott – Kiss The Stars

Released digitally on January 29, 2012, “Kiss the Stars” by Pixie Lott makes a vivid spin into dance-pop, pulling influences from the glossy, high-energy styling of early 2010s chart music.

Sitting pretty at number eight on the UK Singles Chart, this third single off her second studio album, *Young Foolish Happy,* found its springboard after modest beginnings, debuting at 81 before climbing steadily.

The track, co-written by Pixie alongside Mads Hauge, Phil Thornalley, and Fiona Bevan, aims high with an electronically charged production that seeks to transport listeners into a fantasy-driven headspace.

Its music video, a production drenched in CGI and metallic flashes directed by Bradley & Pablo, underscores a cosmic, futuristic vibe, carefully tailored to match the track’s escapist themes.

Fitted with Madonna-esque costumes and a troupe of dancers, the visuals shimmer with synthetic allure but occasionally toe the line between cutting-edge and contrived.

While critics couldn’t overlook its unmistakable nods to Katy Perry’s “Firework,” Lott injects just enough of her theatrical flair to ensure the song retains a sense of individuality.

The marketing push included strategic live performances, such as her spot on *Strictly Come Dancing*’s semi-final, where her confident delivery elevated the track’s public reception.

Though perhaps not her most lyrically inventive work—it’s more about surface shimmer than deep substance—the song thrives on its infectious, compulsively replayable hooks and relentless energy.

As one of the three Top 10 entries from the *Young Foolish Happy* era, “Kiss the Stars” signals Lott’s willingness to immerse herself in the brighter, glossier side of pop, even if that means trading emotional nuance for pure chart-climbing polish.

Featured on the 2011 album “Young Foolish Happy”.

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

3 . Calvin Harris – Bounce (w/ Kelis)

Calvin Harris’s “Bounce,” featuring Kelis, captures a pivotal moment in the evolution of 2010s electronic music, deftly merging its pounding electro-house beats with a playful, chiptune undertone.

Released in 2011 as the lead single for Harris’s album *18 Months*, the track operates as a transitional point in his career, showcasing his decision to step away from vocal duties and elevate a collaborator—in this case, Kelis—to the forefront.

Chart success followed suit, with the song hitting number two in the UK, number one in Scotland, and gaining solid footing internationally, its infectious momentum translating readily to club floors worldwide.

The track’s production boasts an audacious blend of sleek electronic textures, while Kelis’s vocal delivery adds a dynamic tension, her clipped phrasing offering a striking counterpoint to the track’s relentless synth progression.

The accompanying music video—shot in the neon haze of Vegas under Vincent Haycock’s direction—feels more like a vignette than a narrative, blending fast cuts of lowrider culture with nondescript night-out energy, a visual palette that complements the euphoric chaos of the production.

This release was not without its contradictions; Harris’s reliance on Kelis’s voice highlights his skill as a producer, yet the song occasionally feels caught between indulgent repetition and its attempts to craft a larger anthem.

Still, “Bounce” is undeniably a tethering point between the mainstreaming of electronic dance music and Harris’s ascent into pop-dominated territory.

What lingers beyond its production pizzazz is its cultural timing—predating the full commercial saturation of EDM yet carrying the hallmarks of a genre poised for global ubiquity.

Featured on the 2012 album “18 Months”.

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

4 . Dua Lipa – New Rules

Dua Lipa’s “New Rules” emerges from her self-titled debut album, a refreshing blend of electropop and tropical house that feels simultaneously calculated and cathartic.

Released on July 7, 2017, the track carries the unmistakable fingerprints of Ian Kirkpatrick’s polished production, coupled with sharp songwriting contributions from Caroline Ailin and Emily Warren.

Lyrically, it’s a no-nonsense manual for dodging romantic self-destruction, delivered with wry precision and a melodic hook that’s impossible to shake.

Propelled by verses that casually slide into its now-iconic chorus, the song encapsulates both heartbreak and empowerment without spilling into sentimentality.

Commercially, it climbed to the top of the UK charts and lodged itself firmly within the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, marking a global triumph that had been building quietly yet deliberately.

The accompanying music video, directed by Henry Schofield, isn’t just choreography-heavy eye candy—it’s a visual manifesto of female solidarity, underlined with humor and an unmistakable wink at the viewer.

A far cry from mawkish anthems of self-reliance, “New Rules” finds its power in its restraint, smuggling insightful commentary into slickly packaged pop perfection.

Its legacy now includes Brit Award accolades and digital-certified milestones, but the real strength of the track lies in how unmistakably modern it still feels, years after its release.

This isn’t just a song—it’s audacious proof that pop can be purposeful without forgoing its playful edge.

Featured on the 2017 album “Dua Lipa”.

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

5 . LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem (w/ Lauren Bennett, GoonRock)

Released on January 25, 2011, “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO (featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock) kicks off their second and final album *Sorry for Party Rocking* with unabashed energy.

The track’s EDM backbone, punctuated by sharp synth lines, stomping beats, and Bennett’s interjections, firmly establishes its raison d’être: to dominate the dance floor with reckless abandon.

Co-produced by GoonRock, its infectious “every day I’m shufflin’” hook helped revive the Melbourne Shuffle, blending nostalgia with viral appeal.

The accompanying video, a post-apocalyptic dance-off disguised as a zombie invasion, tapped into peak 2010s absurdist aesthetics while doubling as an elaborate inside joke for party enthusiasts everywhere.

Chart-topping in 51 countries, including a six-week reign on Billboard’s Hot 100, this global juggernaut racked up enough achievements to warrant a Diamond certification by the RIAA in 2018.

Beyond parties, the song’s cultural ubiquity seeped into productions like *21 Jump Street* and a Super Bowl halftime cameo—a soundtrack for unrestrained revelry and commercial spectacle alike.

Originally crafted with Flo Rida in mind, LMFAO commandeered it into a career-defining anthem, one that feels less like a song and more like a strategic takeover of pop culture’s hyperactive corners.

Its undeniable success in 2011, and its lingering resonance in playlists, begs more reflection: has “Party Rock Anthem” aged gracefully with time or devolved into a caricature of its over-the-top self?

Featured on the 2011 album “Sorry For Party Rocking”.

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

6 . Pitbull – Give Me Everything (w/ Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer)

Released in 2011 as part of *Planet Pit*, “Give Me Everything” propels Pitbull into the mainstream, blending slick hip-hop with an insistent dance-pop pulse.

Produced by Afrojack—apparently conceived in the shower—the track features Ne-Yo’s polished hooks and Nayer’s sultry cameo, creating a sonic cocktail fit for global domination.

Thematically, it hangs its hat on living for the moment, hammering that ethos with lyrics like “Take advantage of tonight ‘cause we might not get tomorrow.”

The real magic, though, is its Broadway-esque theatricality married to unrelenting hooks, which proved irresistible on international charts, including a number-one spot on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.

The accompanying video doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but seeing the collaborators revel in their own exuberance certainly sells the hedonistic vibe.

While some critics might shrug off the track’s repetitive nature, its massive sales and Diamond certification (10M+ units in the U.S. alone) speak volumes for its staying power.

Nayer’s feature here is unforgettable yet a singular blip in her career—her only Hot 100 entry to date.

Ultimately, “Give Me Everything” triangulates Pitbull’s pivot from niche rap artist to global pop fixture, unapologetically embracing party anthems as its new playground.

Featured on the 2011 album “Planet Pit”.

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

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

“Lonely Together” by Avicii and Rita Ora offers a sleek blend of emotional turmoil masked with a pulsating EDM backbone, a piece that teeters on contradictions between longing and fleeting escapism.

Released in August 2017 as part of Avicii’s “AVĪCI (01)” EP, the track captures the late DJ’s knack for marrying melancholy with euphoric beats, a formula electric enough to peak at #4 on the UK Singles Chart and linger for 26 weeks.

Co-written by seasoned industry players like Andrew Watt and Ali Tamposi, the song reflects a pop savvy that’s as commercially calculated as it is production-polished, achieving certifications ranging from platinum in Europe to gold in smaller markets.

The music video, a dreamy sequence of surreal frozen moments directed by Levan Tsikurishvili, complements the track’s oscillation between reality and emotional suspended animation, garnering accolades like the MTV VMA for Best Dance Video in 2018.

Despite its glittering reception, there’s a cynicism lurking beneath—its glossy exterior runs the risk of feeling overengineered, a staple critique of much late-2010s EDM.

Rita Ora’s vocal performance anchors the track with breathy urgency, yet doesn’t leap far enough to dismantle her image as a versatile but occasionally restrained pop figure.

By the time Ora performs it live—as she did poignantly at the MTV EMAs in tribute to Avicii—you can’t help but feel the weight of its legacy, both as an earworm and as one of Avicii’s final well-crafted odes to imperfection.

Featured on the 2017 album “Avīci (01)”.

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

8 . Sean Kingston – Party All Night [Sleep All Day]

Sean Kingston’s “Party All Night (Sleep All Day)” leans into the carefree allure of nocturnal debauchery sprinkled with a dose of EDM energy.

Released on December 21, 2010, the track sidestepped its original purpose as part of the *Back 2 Life* album, eventually carving a niche for itself in pop culture via soundtracks from *The Inbetweeners Movie* and *Shark Night 3D.*

With Stargate and Sandy Vee at the production helm, the song borrows vibes from genres as diverse as reggae, hip-hop, and pop, creating a vibrant sonic collage tethered to David Hentschel’s 1983 tune “I Can’t Dance.”

The single found a cozy spot on the UK Singles Chart at number 9 and flirted with the U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, peaking at number 2.

Its accompanying music video is a visual handbook to nightlife escapism, clocking in at 3 minutes and 52 seconds of flashy party moments, while the lyrics unapologetically stick to the mantra of indulgent excess.

The track also made a brief splash through its association with MTV’s *Jersey Shore*, an alignment that added to its rowdy, club-ready character.

Gold-certified in the UK with 400,000 units credited to its name, it may not achieve the earworm legacy of Kingston’s earlier hits, yet it stakes out its claim as a late-night anthem suited to carefree celebrations.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

9 . Rizzle Kicks – When I Was A Youngster

Rizzle Kicks’ “When I Was A Youngster” sits comfortably between nostalgia and mischief, reflecting the duo’s knack for pairing buoyant melodies with playful lyricism.

Released as part of their debut album *Stereo Typical* in 2011, the track’s genre-hopping production leans on alternative hip hop grooves while borrowing tastefully from The Clash’s “Revolution Rock.”

The Rural’s production infuses the song with an infectious energy, tapping into a whimsical sense of childhood ambition — think astronaut dreams juxtaposed with the reality of growing up.

Jordan and Harley’s conversational flow echoes the casual brilliance of a chat between friends, filled with humor but sharp enough to underline the lightweight societal critiques woven through the lyrics.

The accompanying music video, directed by Toby Lockerbie, cranks up the whimsy with exaggerated costumes and scenarios, matched only by its silly charm — an offbeat cameo from Ed Sheeran, hurling shoes, adds an extra layer of absurdity.

Charting at #8 on the UK Singles Chart, the song’s wide appeal cemented its place in pop culture, amplified by its inclusion in the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

Live performances, such as their memorable appearance on *The Xtra Factor,* highlighted their easy charisma and ability to translate polished studio tracks into laid-back, crowd-pleasing showcases.

Its lyrical simplicity, buoyant hook, and cheeky instrumentation contribute to its enduring charm, though some cynics might dismiss its lightheartedness as being overly simplistic.

Still, “When I Was A Youngster” thrives within its lane, offering a brief, relatable escape into the dreams and delusions of youth — all while refusing to take itself too seriously.

Featured on the 2011 album “Stereo Typical”.

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

10 . Sub Focus & Dimension – Desire

“Desire,” a 2018 collaboration between Sub Focus and Dimension, pushes the boundaries of UK drum and bass while showcasing the polished production that both artists are known for.

The track thrives on high-energy beats and a pulsing rhythm that captures the essence of longing, with the theme centered around the craving for someone’s undivided attention and emotional connection.

Seen as a significant moment for both producers, it marked their first official collaboration, merging the styles of Sub Focus, famed for tracks like “Tidal Wave” and “Turn Back Time,” with Dimension, celebrated for his global performances and singles such as “Rush.”

Its commercial success might not have cracked pop chart ceilings—peaking at 42 on the Official Singles Chart—but it held its own in the dance world, spending 28 weeks on the Official Dance Singles Chart and becoming a staple on club playlists throughout 2018 and beyond.

The kaleidoscopic visuals in its accompanying music video, entirely shot on a phone, cleverly mirrored the track’s kinetic energy, underscoring an aesthetic of raw immediacy with clips of live audience reactions and a b2b performance filmed in an 80-capacity venue.

Beyond its chart presence, the single amassed four million streams, riding the wave fueled by Dimension’s world tour stops in cities like Sydney and Los Angeles, where its cascading synth riffs worked their way into sweaty dance floors and festival vibes alike.

Slicing into radio territory, it earned a coveted spot as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1, a stamp of approval for fans of the genre while cementing its relevance within UK electronic music conversations.

In true drum and bass fashion, “Desire” is unapologetically relentless in its pacing—a bold sonic manifesto for listeners craving an adrenaline jolt packaged in expertly layered production and undeniable rhythm.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

11 . CNCO, Little Mix – Reggaetón Lento [Remix]

“Reggaetón Lento (Remix)” emerges as a cultural cocktail, where Latin pop dynamism meets British chart power.

CNCO’s unmistakable reggaeton rhythm collides with Little Mix’s polished pop vocals, blending Spanish and English in a seamless sonic exchange.

The track, a reworking of CNCO’s sultry original, retains its flirtatious core, but Little Mix’s contribution adds textured harmonies and a broader appeal.

Its clever production ensures a polished dance-floor hit, yet there’s a restrained energy that manages to avoid over-commercialization.

The music video leans on club visuals and coy glances, a narrative built on anticipation rather than interaction—some might argue a metaphor for the groups themselves, separated by both language and physical space.

Chart performance across borders testifies to its mass appeal, while its multi-platinum certifications highlight its commercial potency.

The live debut on “The X Factor UK” finale underscored its crossover ambitions, cementing its place as a bilingual anthem of 2017.

Intriguingly, what makes this remix resonate isn’t just the music—it’s the collision of cultures, amplified by a fanbase eager for such collaborations.

The song occupies a peculiar space: both meticulously crafted and oddly spontaneous, polished but not too slick, global yet deeply local in rhythm.

It’s a celebration of hybridization, though whether it’s a lasting cultural moment or a fleeting pop experiment remains debatable.

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

12 . Chris Brown – Beautiful People (w/ Benny Benassi]

Chris Brown’s 2011 anthem “Beautiful People,” featuring Italian DJ Benny Benassi, finds its footing in the pulsing landscapes of electro-house and progressive dance, showcasing Benassi’s signature production wizardry.

Pulled from Brown’s fourth studio album, *F.A.M.E.*, the track leans heavily into glossy synth lines and vocoder-heavy vocals, toeing the line between club euphoria and mainstream accessibility.

Thematically, it champions inner beauty and optimism, though its relentless autotune often pushes the emotional poignancy into more synthetic waters.

Chart performance was a mixed bag, cracking the top 10 in a handful of countries like the UK (peaking at #4) while stalling at #43 stateside on the Billboard Hot 100, though it achieved a more fitting reception on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart, where it climbed to #1.

The accompanying video eschews narrative for a pseudo-documentary montage of Brown’s backstage antics, peppered with cameos from music heavyweights like Diddy, Nelly, and T-Pain, underscoring his celebrity rolodex more than the song’s uplifting message.

Critics lauded its sleek production, yet one can’t ignore the inherent tension between its aspirational lyrics and the glitzy, self-congratulatory visuals.

While the production brought Eurodance to the forefront of American pop airwaves, the track could feel a bit too polished, a calculated assembly rather than an electrifying moment of spontaneity.

Still, its platinum certification in 2017 and a Grammy-winning parent album cement its place in Brown’s kaleidoscopic career, though it arguably dances closer to disposable euphoria than lasting emotional resonance.

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

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