Great R&B Party Songs That Stand Up to Time

Artists such as Chris Brown and Mary J. Blige will keep the dance floor packed

By

Updated on 12/11/18

Picking out R&B tunes for a fun dance session is serious business. Certain elements are needed: They must ignite the dancing mood, build momentum, and keep the party going all night long. Here's a list of some obvious favorites and more obscure tracks that will guarantee a great evening:

01

of 10

'Run It!' Chris Brown featuring Juelz Santana

BET's '106 & Park' Taping for New Year's Eve Broadcast - December 16, 2005 — FilmMagic / Getty Images

This 2005 song, which jump-started Chris Brown's career and turned him into a household name, is one of those signature jams that can still be played at parties and get people on the floor. As the lyrics say, "Is ya man on the floor? If he ain't... Let me know."

02

of 10

'Just Fine,' Mary J. Blige

2015 amfAR Inspiration Gala New York - Show — Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

"Just Fine" was the first single released from Mary J. Blige's eighth studio album, "Growing Pains." "Just Fine" is a sunny, optimistic, upbeat track about how great life is. As Blige sings, "I ain't gonna let nothin' get in my way, no matter what nobody has to say."

03

of 10

'Champagne Life,' Ne-Yo

102.7 KIIS FM's 2015 Wango Tango - Show — Kevin Winter / Getty Images

"Champagne Life," which can be found on Ne-Yo's "Libra Scale" album, is a Michael Jackson-esque tune about enjoying the type of life where "trouble is a bubble in a champagne glass" and "dreams and reality are one and the same."

04

of 10

'Do It to It,' Cherish

'I Am Bolt' - World Premiere - Red Carpet Arrivals — Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

"Bounce with it, drop with it, lean with it, and rock with it." Cherish may turn out to be a one-hit wonder, but their hit, the Southern-fried "Do It to It," featuring Sean Paul (the one from YoungBloodZ, not the dance hall reggae artist), is a perfect party song.

05

of 10

'Like This,' Kelly Rowland featuring Eve

BET Awards 2007 - Show — Michael Caulfield / Getty Images

"Like This" is one of the best solo tracks that Kelly Rowland has ever recorded. This song, off her "Ms. Kelly" album, was her first solo outing after Destiny's Child. The song has an addictive go-go beat that is laced throughout this ladies' party-anthem album.

06

of 10

'Cupid Shuffle,' Cupid

"Cupid Shuffle" was a novelty hit from 2007 that sparked a short-lived dance craze in the South that has since been forgotten. Despite its short shelf life and thin lyrics, it's still a great party song.

07

of 10

'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough,' Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson - File Photos By Kevin Mazur — WireImage / Getty Images

An oldie but a goodie from the late King of Pop's "Off the Wall" album, it was the first solo recording over which Jackson had creative control and won him his first solo Grammy and American Music Awards. The song is considered to be the first song to showcase Jackson's talents as a solo artist, both as a singer and a songwriter.

08

of 10

'Wall to Wall,' Chris Brown

Real 92.3's The Real Show — Christopher Polk / Getty Images

"Wall to Wall" is a popping banger off Brown's second album, "Exclusive." The song's chart success was short-lived, but it has stood up over time.

09

of 10

'DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love,' Usher featuring Pitbull

2016 Samsung Pay New Year's Eve Party — Getty Images for Samsung / Getty Images

The ultimate dance song, "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" has you "dancing like it's the last night of your life." The track is featured on "Versus," the follow-up to Usher's mega-hit album "Raymond v. Raymond." Usher is joined by rapper Pitbull in this high-energy club song that is one of the most dance- and electronic music-oriented songs Usher has recorded.

10

of 10

'September,' Earth, Wind & Fire

"September," by funk band Earth, Wind & Fire, has been perhaps the most-played party song for Labor Day weekend events every year since its release in 1978.