Do you like listening to techno music or have an interest in learning more about the genre? If you’ve been wondering what all of the hype is about, continue reading as we dive into the 41 best techno songs of all time!
1. Around The World – Daft Punk
First up on our list is Around The World by Daft Punk, which is one of the most well-known techno songs of all time, and it did very well commercially. It was released on Homework, which was their album from 1997 and quickly became a number-one hit while also introducing a new audience to house and techno music. This track went worldwide and is probably one of the most beloved techno songs even to those who aren’t into this type of music.
2. Kernkraft 400 – Zombie Nation
Next is the German techno band Zombie Nation with the song Kernkraft 400, also called Nuclear Power 400, which was released in 1999 on their first album Leichenschmaus. It went to number two on the UK Singles chart, 99 on the Billboard Hot 100, and 22 in Germany.
It is known as Kernkraft 400 in Germany, which is one of their biggest hits. This track is used as a sports anthem all over the world including basketball, hockey, soccer, and in American football. The instrumental elements of this tune make it stand out among other techno songs.
3. The Bells – Jeff Mills
Jeff Mills released The Bells, which is his signature track, with it being released in 1996 on the album Purpose Maker Compilation. This quickly became one of the hottest songs of the decade, and it’s continued to be a hit to this day. You may know him by his other name, The Wizard, and this track is hypnotic and will put you right into a trance. It’s a timeless techno song that you have to hear to really understand just how amazing it is!
4. Galvanize – The Chemical Brothers
The Chemical Brothers, a British group, are next on the list with Galvanize. This song comes from their 2004 album Push The Button, which is one of their most beloved tracks. When it was released, it stayed on the charts for weeks and made it to number one on the UK Dance chart and three on the UK Singles and Billboard US Dance Single Sales chart.
5. Go – Moby
Go by Moby is on the list, which was released in 1991 from his self-titled album. This is a different type of techno song since it feels more rock than anything, but it’s heavy and gritty, so it’s perfect for a rave. The beats come and go, and it’s a track that was quite popular on the charts. It went to number 16 on the Dance/Electronic Singles Sales chart and 18 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Outside of America, it hit one on the UK Dance chart and nine on the Single Top 100 chart in The Netherlands.
6. Insomnia – Faithless
Faithless released the track Insomnia, which is a mix of dance, techno, and trance rolled into one. There is a part in the song where it goes “I can’t get no sleep,” which quickly became the anthem for many and helped it hit success commercially. It went to number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and UK Dance chart while landing at two on the Billboard Dance Single Sales chart.
This track is all about how using various substances, mostly stimulants, results in a person not being able to sleep. If you suffer from insomnia then you’ll be singing this song all night long.
7. Out of Space – The Prodigy
Next on the list is The Prodigy with Out Of Space, which went to three on the Netherlands Single Top 100 chart and five on the UK Singles chart. It never charted in America but landed at 24 on the Sweden chart and peaked at 30 in The Netherlands.
There is a little bit of punk and rock in it, which is what they were known for, so it goes beyond hardcore techno to make it even better. Out of all of the songs this group had, this quickly became one of their most beloved and famous tracks.
8. Children – Robert Miles
One of the best techno songs we have to talk about is Children by Robert Miles, which is one of his most successful tracks. The inspiration behind the song comes from two things, which included his desire to make a track that was dreamlike, so when people were leaving raves, they would calm down, and then hopefully, it would reduce deaths from car accidents.
He was also inspired to write it because he saw photographs of various children who were victims of the war in Yugoslavia that his father had taken when he was on a humanitarian mission.
The song is filled with dreamy-like instruments, including the piano, and the bass drum as well as other elements that helped it become part of the techno and EDM genre. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and UK Dance chart while making it to two on the UK Singles chart. It also made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at 21.
9. Secret – Absolom
Secret by Absolom makes the list, which quickly became a hit for the group in 1996 when it was released as the title track for the album. It was a hit for them, and the song made it onto the charts in countries such as the UK and Germany. When you hear this track, you’ll notice why the BPM and instruments make it one of the funnest techno songs of the 90s.
10. Freefall – Jeckyll & Hyde
Jeckyll & Hyde had a hit with Freefall in 2007 from the album The Album, and it quickly topped the charts in The Netherlands and Germany, just to name a few. This song mixed techno with jumpstyle to create one of the more iconic tracks of the early 2000s in this genre. There was a radio version and the studio version of the song, and both of them were successful and loved by fans and music critics alike.
11. Good Life – Inner City
Next up is Inner City with the song Good Life, which came out in 1988 from the album Paradise. This went to number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart by Billboard. It also went to four on the UK chart and number one in Finland. What’s great about this track is that Paris Grey is featured as the vocalist, and it’s one of the best techno songs that blends elements of house music to create just the perfect track.
12. Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Marusha
Marusha makes the cut with Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and this song was released in 1994 by the German artist. As you probably could guess, this is a cover of the track from The Wizard Of Oz, and it being redone in techno style made this an excellent and unique cover.
She gained commercial success when she covered this song, with the single selling more than a half-million copies, and it helped pave the way for other techno artists at the time. It charted in multiple countries and is one of the most classic and iconic tracks in history.
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13. Minus/Orange 1 – Richie Hawtin
Richie Hawtin is on our list with Minus/Orange 1, which was released in 1999, and he is one of the leaders in the second techno wave that occurred in the 90s. This track is thought of as one of his signature songs, and it has a very unique sound that will bring you right into his world and put you into a trance.
The track quickly became an anthem for a generation, and it helped him become one of the biggest techno musicians of all time. It is believed to be one of the top techno songs of all time, and it’s still a beloved classic today.
14. Get Ready For This – 2 Unlimited
One song you’ll recognize even if you’re not into techno is Get Ready For This from 2 Unlimited, which was released in 1992. This track is probably one of the most famous techno songs because it’s a dance track that you’ll hear regularly at the club or a sporting event. The group itself has sold more than 18 million records, and this song helped them reach the massive level of commercial success that they’re known for.
It’s specifically played at NBA events and NHL events, among other sporting events. The track allowed more people to hear techno, and it brought the genre to an international audience. On the charts, it went to 14 on the Hot Dance Club Play Billboard chart, 17 on the Top 40 chart, 36 on the Rhythmic Top 40, and 38 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of America, it landed at two on the UK Singles chart, three on the Ireland chart, and four on the European chart.
15. Can’t Stop Raving – Dune
The German group Dune had a hit with Can’t Stop Raving, which was released in 1995 and it’s one of their most successful tracks to date. It went to seven on the German chart, nine in The Netherlands, and four on the Spain chart. This remains one of their biggest hits and a beloved techno song by those who enjoy this genre.
16. The Riddle – Gigi D’Agostino
The Riddle by Gigi D’Agostino makes the list. This is one of the most iconic songs in techno and is thought of as one of his signature tracks. He is an Italian, and when he covered this song, it not only helped the track become a hit again, but it also helped him gain commercial success. While it didn’t chart in America, it peaked at seven in France, five in Hungary, and four in Germany.
17. Xtal – Aphex Twin
In 1992, Aphex Twin released Xtal, which is one of the most serene-feeling techno songs you’ll ever hear. When you compare this track to other techno songs, you’ll find that it’s much more trance-like and also cathartic at the same time. If you haven’t heard of him, he deals with EDM music, and his techno always had more ambiance, which helped make him such a successful artist, even commercially.
18. Elements – Carl Craig
Carl Craig released Elements in 1996, which is one of the most successful songs of his career. Unlike other techno music, it is much slower, and the chords aren’t nearly as harsh as you’d expect. He was one of the leaders in Detroit when it came to techno music, and when you listen to this track, you’ll quickly understand what made him special. This song is going to calm you down and make you feel like you’re in a dream-like trance.
19. Spring – RMB
Next is Spring by the German band RMB, which was released in 1996 on the album Widescreen. You’ll hear a lot of hardcore techno in this song, and it’ll make you feel like you’re in a trance with the variety of instruments used in the track. The song was a smash hit in Germany where it peaked at number seven on the charts. It also went to 18 on the Finland charts and 11 on The Netherlands chart.
20. Hurt – Seth Troxler Feat. Matthew Dear
In 2009, Seth Troxler released Hurt, which has a very bubbly and upbeat sound and doesn’t delve as far into techno as other songs. This track is one of the best songs by him. What we love about this track is that it’s mystical, and it’ll leave you wanting to hear more of it while also making you feel like you want to dance.
21. What Time Is Love? – The KLF
What Time Is Love was released by The KLF in 1990, which instantly made the group a household name within the rave world. The song is mysterious and will put you into a trance when you hear it, and it was a master hit all around the world. It made it to number two on the UK Dance chart, five on the UK Singles chart, eight in Denmark, and 23 in Switzerland. This track is still thought of as one of the best house and techno songs of all time, and it has left a lasting legacy on the genre.
22. Energy Flash – Joey Beltram
In 1990, Joey Beltram released the track Energy Flash, which features the drum machine, and it’s one of the biggest and most beloved techno songs of all time. This track is a defining tune of the techno genre, and it’s energetic with its beat and will make you want to party the night away. To this day, artists use this song as inspiration, and it’s one of his signature tracks that has stood the test of time.
23. Ghetto Kraviz – Nina Kraviz
In 2012, Nina Kraviz released Ghetto Kraviz, which was a dark techno song that has a lot of energy and a steady tempo that is different from a lot of other techno songs. This track is going to make you feel like you’re walking on the runway in a modeling show, and it’s definitely one of those songs that has a lot of attitude in it. It was a success as soon as it was released and is one of her signature tracks.
24. Beatbox Rocker – Westbam/ML
Beatbox Rocker by Westbam/ML was released in 1997 on the album We’ll Never Stop Living This Way. This song was a huge hit immediately. What we love about this track is the high energy in the beat, and it’s one of those techno songs that’s going to bring you to your feet and keep you dancing the night away no matter where you are.
25. La La Land – Green Velvet
In 2001, La La Land was released by Green Velvet on the album Whatever, and this track was a hit on the charts everywhere. It made it to number 12 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and 29 on the UK Singles chart. While he had tracks that were bigger hits than this one, it stands out as one of their best techno songs because it used some experimental sounds but still felt balanced with the traditional sound also permeating through the track.
26. Born Slippy – Underworld
Underworld released the track Born Slippy in 1996, which is one of the biggest songs and most famous tracks on our list because it was featured in the movie Trainspotting. You can tell this techno song originated in the UK because it has the feel of the 90s UK techno scene with the bass, drums, and even some trace put into it to create a timeless techno song.
27. The Boat – U96
U96 makes the list with The Boat, which ended up selling more than two million copies and is one of the hottest techno songs of the 90s. Their name is the World War II submarine that the Germans used, and that’s where the group got its name. This track went to number one on the charts in Germany and was a worldwide hit that is still getting airplay today.
28. Knights Of The Jaguar – DJ Rolando
In 2009, Knights Of The Jaguar was released by DJ Rolando, which is his signature song, and there is a melody featured in this track that’s going to leave the hair on the back of your neck standing up long after it is over. It seems nostalgic to a point but also progressive and sounds a little futuristic, so it’s one of those techno songs you’ll keep coming back to over and over.
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29. Dexter – Ricardo Villalobos
Ricardo Villalobos is next with Dexter, which was released in 2003, and it’s one of the longest songs on this list coming in at around nine minutes! This track makes you feel that sinking feeling in your gut because it has an ominous sound, and it’s sort of chilling to listen to. While it’s repetitive, you’ll notice it feels like a story is being told throughout the song, which is what makes it catchy and fun.
30. No U.F.Os – Juan Atkins
No U.F.O’s was released in 1985 by Juan Atkins, and it was one of the most defining techno songs of the 80s and helped bring it to a wider audience. In fact, this could be considered the first techno song to be produced. It was a defining moment for this new type of music, and in Chicago and Detroit, it got a ton of radio play.
31. Flat Beat – Mr. Oizo
Mr. Oizo released Flat Beat in 1999 on the album Analog Worms Attack, and this song is one of those tracks that has a great rhythm and catchy beat. The video for the song is funny and memorable, and it helped the track reach massive commercial success. While it didn’t chart in America, it went to number one on the UK charts, hit number two in Spain, and went to four on the Sweden and Switzerland charts.
32. Absurd – Fluke
Absurd by Fluke, which was released in 1997, makes the cut, and this song is one of the best tracks of the decade. It can be found on the soundtrack to the movie Sin City, and it’s one of those techno songs that features a ton of synth, and it’ll make you want to dance the night away.
33. Domino – Oxia
In 2006, Oxia released the track Domino, which instantly became one of the biggest techno songs of the decade, and it’s still a beloved track even today. There is a melancholy feel and sound to it, which gives you a nostalgic feeling when you hear it. It’s a classic song that stands the test of time and is one of our most timeless tracks featured on this list.
34. Master Jack – Robert Hood
In 2016, Robert Hood released Master Jack, which is part of minimal techno. This means it’s repetitive, and the sound is very understated compared to traditional techno music. This song is going to make you get up and dance, and it’s going to make you feel like you have ice running through your veins.
35. Magneze – Surgeon
Magneze by Surgeon is on the list, which was released in 1997, helping him become a household name. It’s a quick track that is more frantic and exciting than other techno songs, and it fits the industrial techno genre very well. It’s hard and raw and one of his biggest hits to date.
36. Sandstorm – Darude
Darude had a hit with Sandstorm, which was his debut single that was released in 1999, and it quickly became one of the biggest techno songs around. It is still one of the most played music today, and what we love about it is that it’s one of the best instrumental tracks out there.
On the charts, this song did well throughout the globe with it landing at number one in the UK, Ireland, and Norway. In America, it went to 83 on the Billboard Hot 100, 11 on the Dance Singles Sales chart, and made it to five on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.
37. E-Dancer – Kevin Saunderson
![KEVIN SAUNDERSON presents E-Dancer [live techno set]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rwHEH3WC_5k/0.jpg)
E-Dancer by Kevin Saunderson makes the list, which was released in 1996, and helped make Detroit techno a success commercially. While it does keep some of the traditional techno elements, it also contains a more hypnotic feeling to it, and it’ll quickly put you into a trance. Thanks to tracks like this one, even people who weren’t fans of techno began to listen to it and enjoyed this more progressive style.
38. Iguana – Mauro Picotto
Mauro Picotto released Iguana in 1999, which remains his most famous song to date. The rhythm of the track mixed with the beat and bass make it memorable, while it also seems gloomy and dark to evoke certain emotions and feelings. He found success with this song, and it is thought to be one of the best techno-progressive tunes out there.
39. Subzero – Ben Klock
Ben Klock, a producer and musician out of Germany, had a hit with Subzero. This song was released in 2015 on the album N++, and this track is more mysterious because of its layers than other techno songs, and the bass is just amazing. It’s a timeless track that we love to listen to because it’s haunting and will keep your mind busy trying to figure it out.
40. I’m Strong – Robert Owens
I’m Strong by Robert Owens makes the list, which was released in 2008 on the album Classic Cuts. This song remains one of his most iconic tracks, and it’s a techno song that is still very popular today. What we love about this track is that it has a bass line that’s very groovy, and it’s one of the more unique techno songs out there.
41. Big Fun – Inner City
Last on our list is Big Fun by Inner City, which was the first song for the band to reach the charts and make it to number one. This track became a crossover hit, and it was also the first song by the electronic dance group to achieve pop success. It was a milestone moment because it used a backing track that was techno and mixed a synth hook with infectious vocals.
It is thought to be one of the best techno and house songs of all time, and it was produced by Kevin Saunderson. It went to number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart while hitting three in The Netherlands, four in Switzerland, and eight on the UK Singles chart.
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From the time she was little, Florence loved listening to music and quickly learned how music can make you happy and feel fulfilled. One of her favorite memories is being in the garage with her dad working on classic cars with the local rock station blaring in the background. Ever since Florence was 3, she loved grunge music and spent hours listening to bands such as Alice in Chains, Mad Season, Soul Asylum, and Soundgarden.
She also enjoys classic rock, modern rock, nu metal, alternative rock, and old 90’s R&B. Her love of music grew as she got older, and used music to help her get through tough times in her life. More often than not, you’ll see Florence with earbuds in while she’s writing, cooking, cleaning, and doing other tasks. She also loves to debate music with her friends such as which lead singer is the best vocalist, the most iconic guitar solos in music, and what songs are really the best of the decade.
