31 Best Techno Songs Of All Time

Looking for the best techno music? From the early Detroit days to the present day, these are the best techno songs that have left an unforgettable mark on the scene.

“Good Life” by Inner City

Song Year: 1988

“Good Life” hails from electronic music band Inner City’s debut album “Paradise.” The track is composed and produced by the renowned Kevin Saunderson. Saunderson is one of the pioneers of techno music, and thanks to his inventiveness and creativity with beats, the track quickly became a hit.

Although Saunderson made great bumpy beats for this track, Paris Grey’s vocals ensured this tune had such a huge effect. The song topped the Finland charts and the Billboard Hot Dance Club Party.

“Out of Space” by Prodigy

Song Year: 1992

“Out Of Space” is the 5th single released by the UK band “The Prodigy.”  The track featured on their debut studio album “Experience.” The tune samples Max Romeo’s classic reggae track “Chase The Devil” and some lyrics by rapper Kool Keith on Ultramagnetic MCs’ “Critical Breakdown.”

The track is undoubtedly the most popular of Prodigy’s early works and is frequently performed by the band on their live shows. The British Phonographic Industry certified this track Gold in 2021. One popular refix of this tune is Audio Bully’s 2005 version.

“Around the World” by Daft Punk

Song Year: 1997

Daft Punk is a French music duo known for its huge influence on the electronic and techno music scene. One of their most iconic tunes, “Around the World,” is the 2nd single off the duo’s debut album “Homework.” Upon release, the song quickly became a club banger worldwide, topping dance charts in the US, UK, Spain, Italy, Iceland, and Canada.

“Around The World” is well-known for its catchy hook that’ll have you rocking on the dance floor. The track’s video is choreographed and directed by Blanca Li and Michael Gondry. In 2011, New Music Express ranked the song #21 on their “Top 150 Tunes of The Last 15 Years.”

“The Bells” by Jeff Mills

Song Year: 1996

Jeff Mills was popularly called “The Wizard” early in his career due to his Deejaying technical prowess. Nearing the end of the decade, Mills co-founded the techno group “Underground Resistance” with Detroit’s techno producers Robert Hood and Mike Banks. However, he later departed the collective to pursue a solo career, which gave birth to “The Bells,” a popular tune of the 80s.

The track has no vocals, just a fast-paced bumpy beat. As Mills would later describe it, the track sounds somewhat plain, except for the “bell” that slaps hard. This techno tune is an absolute club hit, and Mills has played it on every live set since its release.

“Animals” by Martin Garrix

Song Year: 2014

“Animals” is one of the most recognized techno tunes of the 2010s. The track, produced by Dutch record producer and DJ Martin Garrix, quickly garnered popularity within the Electronic Dance Music scene. This song made Martin, the youngest artist ever, to have a track debut at #1 on the electronic music outlet Beatport.

“Animals” succeeded commercially, reaching the top 10 electronic and even mainstream music charts. It topped the singles charts in Belgium, UK, and Switzerland. The song topped the Dance charts in the US and peaked at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Subzero” by Ben Klock

Song Year: 2015

Ben Klock, a Berlin-born producer, DJ, and label owner, is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in modern techno history. Klock is internationally recognized for playing techno sets filled with deep, hypnotic, heavy grooves. Neary, a decade after forming his record label, Klockworks, Klock produced “Subzero.”

“Subzero” is devoid of stifling nostalgia and instead wins you with its dynamics and tension-inducing beats. The song also has a vibe characteristic of any techno tune, a danceable beat rhythm.

“Big Fun” by Inner City

Song Year: 1988

Along with “Good Life,” “Big Fun” by Inner City was the first commercial success of electronic dance music. This single topped the Dance charts in the US for a week and peaked at #50 on the US R&B singles chart.

Nonetheless, beyond the track’s undeniable commercial success, it was a turning point for the way it combined a melodic lead vocal and synth melody with a techno-based backing track. Notably, in 2018, Mixmag listed this tune under its “30 All-Time Finest Vocal House Anthems.”

“The Drums” by Cosmic Gate

Song Year: 2001

“The Drums” is the 4th single from the German duo Cosmic Gate’s debut album “Rhythm & Drums.” The track features a futuristic intro with an anxious ambient and monotonous trip-hop rhythm. The first time listening to this song, it sounded like a remake of the iconic techno composition of the 90s, “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” which was the group’s second hit.

You’ll definitely love this song if you like jamming to house and techno music. For Cosmic Gate, “The Drums” often doesn’t miss from their set, and it is a great way to kickstart a rave.

“Nuclear Energy 400” by Zombie Nation

Song Year: 1999

“Nuclear Energy 400” is the first techno single off German musician Zombie Nation’s debut album “Leichenschmaus.” A few months after its release, the track peaked at #22 in Germany while breaking into the top 10s in Belgium and Netherlands. Later the song peaked at #2 on the UK Singles chart and has since been certified Gold by the UK Phonographic Industry.

The tune is popularly utilized as a sports anthem in stadiums like hockey, baseball, American football, and basketball worldwide. The American sports magazine, Sports Illustrated, ranked the tune #8 on its selection of the “Top 10 Stadium Chant Tracks.”

“Knights of the Jaguar” by DJ Rolando

Song Year: 1999

DJ Rolando, also known as The Aztec Mystic, is a techno producer and DJ from Detroit. As a previous member of the legendary Detroit band “Underground Resistance” from 1994-2004, his most reputable work is the track “Knights of the Jaguar.”

“Knights of the Jaguar” is a timeless classic, the archetype of original techno. The tune stays true to its black origins as it features an abundance of funk and groove. The beats are executed in a lethal and danceable manner.

“Get Ready for This” by 2 Unlimited

Song Year: 1992

“Get Ready for This” is the lead track off 2 Unlimited’s debut album. Initially, the Dutch/Belgium band recorded the track as an instrumental called the “Orchestral Mix.” De Coster and Wilde requested Ray to write and rap the song. Anita Doth later joined the group as their female vocalist.

The track achieved instant success across Europe, especially in the United States and Australia. The song is regularly played at sporting events throughout the world. It received a BMI Pop Award in 1996. Fast forward to 2010, Pitchfork featured the song in their selection of “Top 10 Jock Jams of The 90s.”