I was asked to sub a class this weekend, and it felt like the perfect excuse to finally bring a long-standing idea to life—a dance-themed profile to celebrate International Dance Day later this week. I’ve been collecting songs for this theme for years (literally a bucket playlist), and narrowing it down was no small task. There are so many great songs about dancing. But based on the reaction from my riders, I think I landed on some of the best—this one was a hit.
I wanted to share it with you right away so you can use it for International Dance Day…although let’s be honest, you never really need a reason to want to dance. I’ll be using it in my regular class this summer.
Now, just to be clear—while the theme is “dancing,” we’re not dancing on the bike. That’s not what we do. But we absolutely encourage you (and your riders) to get into the rhythm, ride to the beat, nod your head, feel the energy of the music, and genuinely enjoy the experience. When the playlist is this good, that part comes naturally.
One of the things I love about this theme is the variety. I intentionally pulled from a wide range of genres—pop, rock, dance, country, and yes, even a little disco—to keep things fresh and engaging. When you’re working from a “bucket list” of songs like this, it really helps to anchor the ride with a clear structure. I find that three or four longer segments—each starting with a fast flat, building into a climb, and followed by recovery—give you the flexibility to incorporate different tempos and styles without it feeling disjointed.
This profile follows that format, with four sets that move from flats into climbs, mixing steady work with short, higher-intensity surges. And the music? So much fun. You’ll find classics like Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” a Tiësto remix of “Dancing on My Own,” and plenty more tracks that drive the ride from start to finish.
ICA members can find the full profile and playlist below. And if you want to expand your options even further, be sure to check out our International Dance Day Theme Ride Thursday post, where you’ll find three curated bucket playlists with nearly 500 dance-themed songs to choose from.
Go ahead—turn up the music, ride the rhythm…you might as well dance.