When you start swing dancing, you soon realise that not every jazz song is suitable for dancing - and not every dance style suits every song. Some pieces invite you to do some fast footwork, others call for elegant restraint. Here is a selection of iconic jazz tracks that have been popular in the swing dance scene for decades - be it for Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston or solo jazz.
1st Count Basie - One O'Clock Jump
A prime example of swing with drive and clarity. The rhythm rolls, the tempo is danceable - ideal for Lindy Hop at an intermediate level. Basie creates space for the dancers without the song losing any of its tension.
2nd Duke Ellington - C Jam Blues
Slower, but no less groovy. The simple structure makes it perfect for improvisation - both in solo jazz and in couple dancing. A classic for musical "listening" on the dance floor.
3. Ella Fitzgerald - A-Tisket A-Tasket
Playful, light and vocally precise. Ella Fitzgerald provides the perfect soundtrack for a relaxed Charleston or cosy Lindy Hop in a social dance setting.
4. Lionel Hampton - Flying Home
Fast, energetic, driving - Flying Home is not for the faint-hearted. Perfect for advanced dancers or for shag dancers who love speed. Played live, this track is a crowd-puller.
5th Artie Shaw - Begin the Beguine
Elegant big band sound with a pinch of melancholy. Anyone who dances Balboa will find plenty of musical texture for subtle footwork here. Also suitable for slower Lindy Hop.
6 Cab Calloway - Minnie the Moocher
Charm, humour and swing in its purest form. This song is not only musically exciting, but also historically relevant. Calloway's stage presence is legendary - and you can feel it in every bar.
7th Chick Webb - Lindy Hopper's Delight
It's not just the name that makes this song a must for Lindy dancers. Chick Webb, drummer and bandleader of the Savoy Ballroom, delivers a rhythmic firework display that comes straight from the cradle of Lindy Hop.
What should you look out for in swing music for dancing?
- SpeedMany pieces are between 110-180 BPM. Balboa and Shag often faster, Charleston more variable.
- Clear pulseA good danceable rhythm section is essential.
- StructureRecognisable phrases, breaks or call-and-response help with improvisation.
Iconic jazz tracks for swing dancers are more than just beautiful music - they are tools, sources of inspiration and communication spaces. If you want to dance, you have to learn to listen. These classics offer the perfect introduction.
More posts
Our Lindy Hop playlists by style or tempo
Do's and don'ts on the dance floor
The golden age of jazz: legends who shaped the swing era
The Jazz Age Revival: Why swing dancing is making a comeback
Why swing dance is the ultimate social workout
