Music Lists

Looking for that perfect song to practice your new moves? We have made our song lists available to our students and the general dancing public. Song lists are grouped by dance style (Swing, Waltz, Two-Step, etc) and music genre (Country, Pop/Rock, etc.), and listed in ascending tempo order (slowest songs at the top). Most songs are available for purchase through iTunes.

Have you found a perfect dance song that we've missed? Contact us and let us know!

East Coast Swing - Single Step (Jive)

All forms of Swing dance trace their roots back to the original Big-Band driven Lindy Hop of the 1930's. Options for swing music include Classic 1930's Big Band Swing, 50's Jitterbug, Rock 'n' Roll, Rockabilly, Country Swing, and the revival Swing/Jump Blues artists of the 90's. Swing music is characterized by a lilting feeling of "1 & a 2, 3 & a 4" (hard swing) or "1&2, 3&4" with the &s being short and quick. Music is listed by genre and tempo.

East Coast Swing - Triple Step (Ballroom Jive)

East Coast Swing requires a slightly slower tempo than Jive (up to 160 bpm). Good East Coast music can be found in Country Music, Rock 'n' Roll from the 1950's and 1980's, Revival Swing and Jump Blues. Swing music is characterized by a lilting feeling of "1 & a 2, 3 & a 4" (hard swing) or "1&2, 3&4" with the &s being short and quick. Music is listed by genre and tempo.

West Coast Swing (WCS)

West Coast Swing is typically even slower than East Coast (up to 130bpm). Although it is also a six-count triple step pattern, the rhythm and "feel" of West Coast is different from East Coast. Most notably, it tends to have a bluesier feel than East Coast. West Coast Swing is broken into two sub-genres of Classic and Funky. Classic WCS music can be found in Country, Blues, and Rock. Funky WCS is found in R&B and Pop. Music is listed by type, genre, and tempo.

Hustle Music

Hustle originated in the Disco era and the rhythm is very disco-esque. Hustle music has a solid "four on the floor" beat translating to the typical "Boom Boom Boom Boom" sound of disco and modern dance music. Hustle music does not have a significant swing to it. Hustle and West Coast music are often confused, so listen for that swing -- if it's got a swing, then swing; if it doesn't swing, then hustle. Hustle music can be found in Disco, Pop, and Country. Music is listed by genre and tempo.

Salsa Music

Salsa is the merging of traditional Latin rhythms and contemporary Jazz music. Music listed includes traditional Salsa music, as well as popular music that isn't truly Salsa but it works for Salsa Dance. Music is listed by genre and tempo.

Cha Cha Music

Cha Cha music has a similar rhythm to Salsa, but with a slower tempo and a triple-step pattern. A simple comparison is that Cha Cha music is to Salsa Music as East Coast Swing Music is to Single-Step Swing Music. Cha Cha is typically Latin, though good Cha Cha rhythms can also be found in Country and Pop music. Music is listed by genre and tempo.

Rumba Music

Rumba music sounds like a very mellow Cha Cha with a slightly slower tempo. Ideal Rumba music has a Latin feel to it and a hint of romance. Music is listed by genre and tempo.

Polka Music

Polka music is up-tempo music with a triple-count rhythm (ta-ta-ta, ta-ta-ta...). Traditional polkas include lots of fiddle and oomp-pa-pa styles, whereas contemporary polkas are usually found in Country music.

Two-Step/Six Step Music

Two-step and six-step are typical Country dances so the vast majority of music is found in that genre. Two-step music has a solid beat of "1,2,3,4" or "1&2, 3&4" with the each count being equal in duration (unlike swing where the & is short). Two-step music should have a regular cadence to it and should make you feel like walking (not swinging). Two-step music is faster than six-step with typical tempos ranging from 150-200 beats per minute. Music is listed by genre and tempo.

Six Step Music (aka Triple-Two)

Six-step is the slower cousin of two-step though the triple step actually makes it look and feel like a faster dance. The typical tempo range for six-step is 100-150 beats per minute. Music is listed by genre and tempo.

Slow Waltz Music

There are many good sources of slow waltz music available, from Classical to Country to Pop. Remember that the distinguishing feature that sets the Waltz apart from other styles is the 3/4 timing (3 beats to a bar, not the 4 of most music). Music is listed by genre and tempo.