Rocking sex trio 80s dance jam - "Nasty Girl" Vanity 6

"Nasty Girl" Vanity 6

I heard this song at a bar recently, and it blew my mind. I hadn't heard this in years! It wasn't easy to find the name/band on my phone - it kept coming up as Prince! The reality is that this is Prince-assembled lingerie-wearing 80s dance move-performing sex trio Vanity 6. This song has so many amazing components: sick dance beats, a super catchy sing-a-long worthy chorus, a synthesizer break down, and a talking interlude including the phrase "I need 7 inches or more." I mean... this is amazing. This song makes me want to dance. These are the original envelope-pushing no pants-wearing pop stars!

How you'll feel: Like letting your hair down for a few minutes.

When to play it: When you're DJing at a dark crowded art bar on Friday.

Side note: I CANNOT find this on iTunes, and it's driving me insane! If anyone knows where I can download this song, please let me know!

Beat boxing electronic hip hop dance fight explosion - "Neckbrace" Ratatat

"Neckbrace" Ratatat

New York electronic music duo Ratatat has been making beats since their debut album in 2004, and every album has a hit. From "Seventeen Years" to "Lex" to "Mirando" and now "Neckbrace." I may not pick up all the albums, but when a good Ratatat single comes out, it's mine! It's electronic without lacking melody, it's clean without being too simple, and it's indie dance without being messy or lo-fi. This song makes me feel awesome and bad ass.

How you'll move: Pigeon-headed neck-bobbing.

When to play it: Hipster dance party; walking down the street to dance fight your worst enemy.

Side note: Highly recommend having the aforementioned tracks in your party music arsenal.

Black and white rainy piece of love glass - "Letter to Hermione" David Bowie

"Letter to Hermione" David Bowie

I heard this song on a Ricky Gervais podcast; it's one of his favorites of all time. I've never heard a Bowie song like this. This song makes me feel like I'm in a vintage black and white movie, sadly walking down a rainy sidewalk, a broken-hearted man peering out of a rain splattered cafe window. This song is pretty and sad, simple and rich, short but powerful. I don't have a lot of favorite "love songs"; I think this made the cut.

When to play it: A grey rainy afternoon.

How you'll move: I don't think you will; eyes-closed sing-a-long only.

Side note: I think the length and content of this post is relative to the song. This song is a track on "Space Oddity."

Hazy saloon sweat lurch - "Pretty Babies" Karen Elson

"Pretty Babies" Karen Elson

I heard this song on the Tom Ford "secret" fashion show video on The Huffington Post Web site (I guess the "live" show was the secret?). The show was antique and European, set to Karen's delicate voice, the dreamy guitar, and old-timey organ. This song makes me imagine The Great Gatsby's Daisy lounging on a sweaty pale yellow afternoon or sassy burlesque dancers writhing in a dusty saloon. It's a decent jam.

When to play it: On a lazy summer afternoon while bathed in faded sunset light.

How you'll move: Eyes-closed swaying in your vintage house dress.

Side note: Karen Elson - model, musician, Jack White's wife, yada yada yada...