Do you like to tap dance? Are you looking for a great song to dance to? Here are some of the best tap songs to choose from!
Best Tap Songs
Whether you’re hosting a tap dance party, learning a tap solo for recital or competition, or just looking for something fun to tap to on the dance floor, you need a song that you can easily tap to.
This list contains a variety of pop song choices, old classics, new songs, high energy songs, and slower song options.
So let’s take a look so you can find the perfect song and pull out those tap shoes!
Best Dance Songs
These songs have a rhythmic and percussive quality that makes them well-suited for tap dancing:
1. “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman
2. “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” by The Andrews Sisters
3. “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck
4. “Sweet Georgia Brown” by Brother Bones
5. “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Irving Berlin
6. “Cotton-Eyed Joe” by Rednex
7. “I Got Rhythm” by George Gershwin
8. “Jumpin’ at the Woodside” by Count Basie
9. “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” by Duke Ellington
10. “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller
11. “Shake, Rattle and Roll” by Bill Haley & His Comets
12. “Cissy Strut” by The Meters
13. “Singin’ in the Rain” by Gene Kelly
14. “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” by Tony Bennett
15. “Boogie Shoes” by KC and the Sunshine Band
16. “I Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
17. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
18. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
19. “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson
20. “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
These songs offer a range of tempos and styles, from classic swing and jazz to contemporary pop and funk. Depending on your skill level and personal preferences, you can choose songs that match your tap dancing style and enjoy creating your own choreography. Listen to the beat of the song and start tapping!
Best Songs to Tap Dance to
Here are some more tap dance songs that you can add to your playlist:
21. “Singin’ in the Rain” by Mint Royale
22. “Mr. Pinstripe Suit” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
23. “Tap Dance” by Octave Minds ft. Chance The Rapper
24. “I Wanna Be Like You” from Disney’s “The Jungle Book”
25. “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth, Wind & Fire
26. “Put a Lid on It” by Squirrel Nut Zippers
27. “Zoot Suit Riot” by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
28. “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” by Louis Jordan
29. “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…)” by Lou Bega
30. “Jump Jive An’ Wail” by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
31. “Swing Set” by Jurassic 5
32. “Rhythm is Our Business” by Jimmie Lunceford
33. “The Joint is Jumpin'” by Fats Waller
34. “Ain’t Misbehavin'” by Fats Waller
35. “Boogie Woogie Country Girl” by Big Joe Turner
36. “Iko Iko” by The Dixie Cups
37. “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles
38. “Tuxedo Junction” by Erskine Hawkins
39. “Swingin’ Shepherd Blues” by Moe Koffman
40. “Jumpin’ Jive” by Cab Calloway
These songs cover a variety of genres and eras, offering a diverse selection for your tap dance routines. Whether you’re looking for classic swing, jazz, or a more modern twist, there’s something here for every tap dancer to enjoy.
Classic Tap Songs
Classic tap songs are typically those that have a strong and recognizable rhythm, making them ideal for tap dance routines. These songs often come from the golden era of jazz and swing, which was a popular period for tap dancing. Here are some classic tap songs that have stood the test of time:
1. “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman
2. “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” by The Andrews Sisters
3. “Take the ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington
4. “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller
5. “Jumpin’ at the Woodside” by Count Basie
6. “I Got Rhythm” by George Gershwin
7. “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” by Duke Ellington
8. “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Irving Berlin
9. “Sweet Georgia Brown” by Brother Bones
10. “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” by Tony Bennett
11. “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” by Louis Armstrong
12. “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” by Fred Astaire
13. “Begin the Beguine” by Artie Shaw
14. “Fascinating Rhythm” by George Gershwin
15. “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” from the musical “42nd Street”
16. “Bojangles” by Sammy Davis Jr.
17. “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön” by The Andrews Sisters
18. “Singin’ in the Rain” by Gene Kelly
19. “A Fine Romance” by Fred Astaire
20. “Tuxedo Junction” by Erskine Hawkins
These classic songs provide a rich and diverse selection for tap dancers, offering a blend of tempos and styles that cater to both traditional and contemporary tap routines. They have remained popular among tap dancers for generations and continue to be a source of inspiration for new choreography.
Popular Song Choices to Tap to
Here’s a list of popular songs from various genres that you can tap dance to:
1. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
2. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
3. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
4. “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson
5. “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
6. “Shut Up and Dance” by WALK THE MOON
7. “Treasure” by Bruno Mars
8. “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth, Wind & Fire
9. “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
10. “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams
11. “Levitating” by Dua Lipa
12. “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I
13. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
14. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen
15. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
16. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
17. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
18. “Sugar” by Maroon 5
19. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
20. “La La Land” (Soundtrack) – Various Artists
These songs offer a mix of tempos, rhythms, and styles, making them suitable for tap dance routines of various levels and moods. Feel free to adapt your choreography to match the music’s energy and character, and have fun creating your own tap dance routines to these popular tunes.
Excellent Choice for Your Dance Playlist
Here are some song title ideas by specific artists that are popular and would be fun to tap to! Finding a unique and more modern song can be a great way to mix up tap dancing!
Check out these artists to find a catchy tune and a hit song to dance to:
Ingrid Michaelson Tap Songs
Ingrid Michaelson is known for her pop-folk style, and while her music is not typically associated with tap dancing, you can certainly get creative and use her songs for tap routines. Here are a few Ingrid Michaelson songs that have a rhythmic quality and could work well for tap dancing:
1. “You and I”
2. “The Way I Am”
3. “Maybe”
4. “Girls Chase Boys”
5. “Hell No”
6. “Be OK”
7. “Time Machine”
8. “Celebrate”
9. “Light Me Up”
10. “Turn to Stone”
Keep in mind that Ingrid Michaelson’s music tends to be more on the mellow and acoustic side, so you may need to adapt your tap routine to the tempo and feel of each song. These songs offer a mix of tempos and emotions, providing opportunities for both energetic and more lyrical tap dance routines. Be creative and experiment with different movements and steps to make the choreography fit the music.
Imagine Dragons’ Tap Songs
Imagine Dragons’ music often features energetic beats and catchy rhythms that can be suitable for tap dancing. Here are some Imagine Dragons songs that you can consider using for your tap dance routines:
1. “Radioactive”
2. “Believer”
3. “Thunder”
4. “Whatever It Takes”
5. “Demons”
6. “On Top of the World”
7. “It’s Time”
8. “Roots”
9. “Natural”
10. “I Bet My Life”
These songs offer a mix of tempos and moods and have a great beat, allowing you to create tap dance routines with a variety of styles and dynamics. Feel free to experiment with different movements and steps to match the energy and feel of each song.
Taylor Swift Tap Songs
Taylor Swift’s music, known for its catchy melodies and relatable lyrics, can also be suitable for tap dance routines. Here are some Taylor Swift songs that you might consider for tap dancing:
1. “Shake It Off”
2. “Blank Space”
3. “Love Story”
4. “You Belong with Me”
5. “Delicate”
6. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
7. “Style”
8. “ME!” ft. Brendon Urie
9. “Lover”
10. “22”
11. “Sparks Fly”
12. “I Knew You Were Trouble”
13. “The Man”
14. “Wildest Dreams”
15. “Red”
16. “End Game” ft. Ed Sheeran and Future
17. “New Romantics”
18. “Out of the Woods”
19. “All Too Well”
20. “Begin Again”
Taylor Swift’s songs cover a wide range of tempos and moods, allowing for diverse tap dance routines. You can adapt your choreography to match the energy and feel of each song, creating dynamic and entertaining performances to her music.
Gwen Stefani Tap Songs
Gwen Stefani’s music, with its upbeat pop and ska influences, can be great for tap dance routines that require high energy and rhythm. Here are some Gwen Stefani songs that you might consider for tap dancing:
1. “Hollaback Girl”
2. “Sweet Escape” ft. Akon
3. “Rich Girl” ft. Eve
4. “What You Waiting For?”
5. “Wind It Up”
6. “The Sweetest Escape” ft. Akon
7. “Make Me Like You”
8. “Luxurious”
9. “Cool”
10. “Misery”
11. “Spark the Fire”
12. “Now That You Got It” ft. Damian Marley
13. “4 in the Morning”
14. “Early Winter”
Gwen Stefani’s music often features catchy beats and energetic melodies, making it suitable for tap dance routines that focus on fun and movement. These songs provide a variety of tempos and styles to work with, allowing you to create dynamic tap dance choreography to her music.
Katy Perry Tap Songs
Katy Perry’s music is generally more pop-oriented, but you can still find songs in her discography with catchy rhythms and beats that could work well for tap dancing. Here are some Katy Perry songs that you might consider for tap dance routines:
1. “Firework”
2. “California Gurls” ft. Snoop Dogg
3. “Teenage Dream”
4. “Hot N Cold”
5. “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”
6. “Dark Horse”
7. “Walking on Air”
8. “Birthday”
9. “This Is How We Do”
10. “Roar”
11. “Chained to the Rhythm”
12. “Harleys in Hawaii”
While Katy Perry’s music may not have the same swing or jazz influences as classic tap dance songs, her pop tracks offer a modern and vibrant backdrop for tap dance routines. Feel free to adapt your choreography to match the tempo and mood of each song, and let your creativity shine in your tap dance performances.
Red Hot Chili Peppers Tap Songs
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ music is primarily known for its rock and funk elements, but some of their songs have rhythmic qualities that could work well for tap dancing. Here are a few Red Hot Chili Peppers songs that you might consider for tap dance routines:
1. “Give It Away”
2. “By the Way”
3. “Higher Ground” (a cover of the Stevie Wonder classic)
4. “Around the World”
5. “Suck My Kiss”
6. “Dani California”
7. “Can’t Stop”
8. “Go Robot”
9. “The Zephyr Song”
10. “Aeroplane”
Keep in mind that Red Hot Chili Peppers’ music tends to be more rock-oriented, so you may need to adapt your tap routine to the tempo and feel of each song. These tracks have distinctive rhythms and grooves that can provide a unique and energetic backdrop for your tap dancing. Be creative and experiment with different choreography to match the music’s energy.
Slower Song Options for Tap Dancing
While tap dancing is typically associated with fast-paced and rhythmic music, you can also create beautiful and expressive routines to slower songs. Slow tap dance routines can showcase control, emotion, and musicality. Here are some slower songs that you can use for tap dancing:
1. “At Last” by Etta James
2. “My Funny Valentine” by Chet Baker
3. “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
4. “Moon River” by Audrey Hepburn
5. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
6. “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone
7. “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
8. “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt
9. “Summertime” by Ella Fitzgerald
10. “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles
11. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
12. “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones
13. “Un-break My Heart” by Toni Braxton
14. “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker
15. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
16. “I’m Kissing You” by Des’ree
17. “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
18. “The Nearness of You” by Norah Jones
19. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
20. “Your Song” by Elton John
These songs provide a slower tempo and emotional depth, which can be beautifully expressed through tap dance. Slow tap routines allow you to focus on intricate footwork, dynamics, and storytelling, creating a captivating performance for your audience.
We hope you find the perfect addition to your tap play list on this song list!
Whether you’re planning your next party or just looking for a catchy melody to dance to yourself this list has many many options to choose from!
These songs allow you to feel the lyrics of the song and just get into the dance. To dance well to any style it’s important to have a good time and get into the dance. To do that you need good music that you can feel and relate to!
More Songs for Other Dance Styles
If you would like to find a popular tune to dance to other dance styles then check out the below links! You are sure to find a fun song in the many dance music options.
