Best Dance Music 1986

1986 a-ha's "Take On Me"

Admit it you love the best dance music of the 80's right? Well thinking of something to write for the year 1986 isn't gonna be a struggle. Let's be honest, you came here because you love the 80's and the dance music that went with it. I knew it! Come on now, how could you honestly not love Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts" and the sampling that started appearing in all of those beloved 80's hits.

More importantly 1986 was a banner year for artists like A-ha, Berlin, Wham, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys and more. The dance music community had it's share of artists that didn't receive the same radio friendly exposure that the big artists got. That was all about to change as many markets had some form of dance music on the radio and mostly programmed on Friday or Saturday nights. I remember as a 16 year old listening to WBMX here in Chicago. It was such a great thing to hear. Music like "Jack Your Body" by Steve Silk Hurley and even some of the newer 12" remixes, who could forget such a great year.

1986 was also the year NBC aired the last episode of the long running Search for Tomorrow. Other news worthy moments of 86, The reopening of the Statue of Liberty after extensive refurbishing, The Goodwill Games in Moscow, and Voyager 2's first encounter with the planet Uranus. On a sadder note this was also the year for the tragic Space Shuttle Challenger accident.

In upcoming posts we will be diving into the great year of 1986. This is the year that 80's dance music might be best known by, although 1988 was an equally good year. Stay tuned you radical 80's dance music lovers, things are going to get jacked up in here!