This month’s top 10 list provides a succinct argument for the dominance of electronic music on the pop charts. To put this into perspective, consider January of 1992, when Nirvana’s album Nevermind famously replaced Michael Jackson’s Dangerous as the number one album on the Billboard chart. This unlikely feat marked not just a change in fortune for Nirvana, but signaled a larger change in folks’ tastes.
Skipping back to the present, the last month has seen the release of new singles by Katy Perry, Coldplay, Jennifer Lopez, and a collaboration between Justin Timberlake and (fittingly) Michael Jackson. As was the case in 1992, each of these chart toppers has been replaced by a newer act in a previously overlooked genre. To that end, none of the folks above made the cut in this month’s list—as the majority of the votes went to club rockers like Avicii, Afrojack, 3LAU and Bright Lights.
Like fashion and film and most other cultural goings-on, music is cyclical. So, DJs won’t be replacing pop stars entirely—not permanently at least. Moreover, there’s plenty of room for outliers. The changing musical landscape doesn’t seem to have hurt Pitbull or Imagine Dragons—both of whom turn up in the list below. But, if it seems like dance music has a near monopoly on the airwaves these days, this month’s playlist is proof of that change.
History and context aside, there’s a lot to be excited about here. Plus, if there was ever a time for huge beats and raging synths, it’s the summer. So, check out a few of the high energy highlights below, grab a few favorites, and take them for a spin.
Here’s the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred–the web’s most popular workout music blog.
Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne – Rather Be – 122 BPM
Crazibiza, Dave Aude & Vassy – Hustlin‘ (Radio Version) – 124 BPM
Janelle Monae – What Is Love (Walden Radio Edit) – 127 BPM
3LAU & Bright Lights – How You Love Me – 128 BPM
Afrojack & Wrabel – Ten Feet Tall – 126 BPM
John Legend – All of Me (Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment Remix Radio Edit) – 128 BPM
Avicii – Addicted to You (Albin Myers Remix) – 128 BPM
Ariana Grande & Iggy Azalea – Problem – 103 BPM
Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World – 100 BPM
Pitbull & G.R.L. – Wild, Wild Love – 120 BPM
To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.
So do you like electronic music? I’m not much of a fan, and I don’t recognize any of the songs–few of the musicians. But I am just reporting it.
