Great Ballroom Music for Practicing

If you're reading this, odds are you like good ballroom music. Whether it’s for a performance, a social, or for practice, your favourite ballroom music energizes you, makes you want to strength further, push harder, dance fiercer.

All too often, I hear the same tired favourites when I go to dance halls and socials. So today, I’m sharing some of my top favourite ballroom dance songs in each genre, and why I like each one. I hope they inspire and delight you.

Cha Cha - Eliane Elias ‘Oye Como Va’

A refreshing and lounge-y take on an old classic, this one may not rock your socks off, but it will definitely get you grooving in your hips. Good for socials or for practicing.

East Coast Swing - Sam Sparrow ‘Black & Gold’

The swing era may be officially over, but doesn’t mean your ballroom swing music is limited to Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. The modern funky beat keeps the energy high without killing you with the tempo, and the lyrics are great (if you listen to those). Makes a great performance piece.

Foxtrot - Harry Connick, Jr. ‘One Fine Thing’

If Harry’s crooning doesn’t put a smile on your face, the beautiful piano riff certainly will. More laid back then the trumpet-themed classics, and probably a good one to ask your crush out on. Excellent for socials, but could make a classy performance feel good too.

Merengue - J Balvin ‘Eras Así’

I confess it - I’m not much of a fan of traditional ballroom music when it comes to merengue. This one combines the merengue feel with a club beat that will get your foot tapping on or off the dance floor. Works for pretty much anything you want.

Rumba - Fausto Papetti ‘La playa’

Reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino films, Fausto puts a western spin on the traditional rumba rhythm. Downtempo and jazzy, this one is probably better for socials then performing, and - in my students’ experience - tends to be easier to follow then a traditional rumba.

Salsa - Miguel Enriquez ‘Abre Que Voy’

Slow enough to be danceable at a social, with a dramatic build-up that works well for performances. Especially helpful for those newer to salsa percussion, and with lyrics that are about appreciation of salsa music and it’s musicians, what’s not to like?

Samba - Leonard Cohen ‘Woke Up This Morning’

Not your parent's ballroom music, and definitely not your classic samba beat. Nevertheless, this one has great tempo and slinky as a cold hard mafioso. Dramatic and easy to follow, it's perfect for a performance.

Tango (Classic) - The Tango Project ‘Por Una Cabeza’

Well yes, this IS a classic, but this particular variation does it great justice. The strength of the chorus contrasts sharply with the softness of the verses in between, so you can create different emotions more easily. Practicing, social dance, performances - it works for all of them.

Tango (Nuevo) - Bajofondo ‘Montserrat’

This is, hands down, my all-time favourite tango song on the planet. Dark and brooding, a brilliant combination of modern and classic instruments makes this tune as delicious and complex as a 30-year old wine. Definitely best for a performance.

Waltz (Slow) - Dickon Hinchliffe ‘Waltz’

This one is hard to find (hence no YouTube video), but you can spot it on the Married Life Soundtrack on iTunes. The beautiful piano melody starts minimal, and gradually swells to fill even the largest dance halls. Not too challenging to follow, and well-suited for just about anything.

Waltz (Viennese) - Fredrika Stahl ‘Pourquoi Pas Moi?’

I picked up this gem recently, and, like with the slow waltz song above, immediately fell in love with the piano tune. Soft and playful as a group of good friends out for a drink. A bit fast for most dancers, I usually slow it down a bit for socials, or leave it as it is for a lovely performance.

West Coast Swing - Olly Murs ‘Heart Skips a Beat (feat. Rizzle Kicks)’

X-Factor finalist of 2009, Olly Murs gives a pop groove to this catchy tune. With plenty of breaks and pauses for musical interpretation, this could be an easier performance number, or just a good social/practice piece.