Euro House

Euro House is a musical genre that has been popular across Europe and worldwide since the early 1990s. It has its roots in the 1980s dance music scene, which saw the emergence of house music in the United States and the British acid house movement. The genre combines elements of house music, techno, and pop, along with influences from different cultures and regions. The term "Euro House" started to be used in the late 1980s to describe a new style of dance music that was emerging in Europe. This genre was heavily influenced by American house music but also incorporated elements of European disco and Hi-NRG. Euro House was initially a British term, but it soon became a genre that was popular all over Europe, particularly in Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. One of the first Euro House tracks that reached international success was "Pump Up The Jam" by Belgian group Technotronic in 1989. The song fused elements of hip-hop, house, and electro, and became a worldwide hit, reaching number one in several countries, including the United States. This success paved the way for other European acts to create Euro House tracks, including Rozalla, Snap!, and Culture Beat. In the early 1990s, Euro House became more mainstream with the success of songs like "It's My Life" by Dr. Alban and "Rhythm Is A Dancer" by Snap!. These songs were characterized by a catchy melody, simple lyrics, and a driving beat, making them perfect for dancing and partying. These tracks became instant classics and are still popular in many clubs today. Euro House continued to evolve and diversify during the 1990s. One particular subgenre that emerged was "Eurodance," which was characterized by a faster tempo, Eurocentric rap verses, and heavily layered production. Popular Eurodance acts included 2 Unlimited, Haddaway, and La Bouche. Another subgenre that emerged was "Italo House," which combined elements of Italo disco from the 1980s with house music. This style was particularly popular in Italy and produced hits like "Ride On Time" by Black Box and "Everybody Everybody" by The Blackout Allstars. In the late 1990s, Euro House began to decline in popularity, as other genres like trance and progressive house became more popular. However, Euro House remained a significant influence on dance music, with several of its elements still present in modern dance tracks.

Snap!: This German group had major hits in the early 90s, with singles like "The Power" and "Rhythm Is a Dancer." They combined catchy synth hooks with rap and dance beats. Haddaway: This Trinidadian-German singer had a number one hit in many countries with his 1993 song "What Is Love." His soulful voice and house-inspired beats helped make the song a classic. Dr. Alban: This Nigerian-born Swedish artist had several Euro House hits in the 90s including "It's My Life" and "Sing Hallelujah." His infectious melodies and memorable choruses are still beloved by fans of the genre. Real McCoy: This German group had a string of hits in the mid-90s, including "Another Night" and "Run Away." Their music draws on many influences, from Euro House to techno and pop. Culture Beat: This German group had a huge hit in 1993 with "Mr. Vain." Their upbeat dancefloor anthems combined sultry vocals with pounding beats and synths. Corona: This Italian group had major hits in the 90s including "The Rhythm of the Night" and "Baby Baby." Their music offered a sophisticated blend of house beats and intricate melodies. La Bouche: This German-American duo had hits like "Be My Lover" and "Sweet Dreams" in the mid-90s. Their music was distinctive for its strong vocals and pulsing dance beats. Eiffel 65: This Italian group scored a huge hit in 1999 with "Blue (Da Ba Dee)." Their music features upbeat melodies and catchy choruses, with a distinctive electronic sound. 2 Unlimited: This Dutch group had hits in many countries with "Get Ready for This" and "Twilight Zone." Their music combined electronic beats and rap with catchy melodies and sing-along choruses. DJ Bobo: This Swiss artist had hits in the 90s like "Somebody Dance with Me" and "Take Control." His music blended electronic dance beats with pop hooks, making it irresistible to fans of both genres.

1. "Better Off Alone" - Alice Deejay 2. "Children" - Robert Miles 3. "Sandstorm" - Darude 4. "9 PM (Till I Come)" - ATB 5. "Be my Lover" - La Bouche 6. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" - Eiffel 65 7. "Rhythm is a Dancer" - Snap! 8. "The Weekend" - Michael Gray 9. "Insomnia" - Faithless 10. "Greece 2000" - Three Drives 11. "I Like to Move It" - Reel 2 Real feat. The Mad Stuntman 12. "What is Love" - Haddaway 13. "Café Del Mar" - Energy 52 14. "Sun is Shining" - Bob Marley vs. Funkstar De Luxe 15. "Discopolis" - Lifelike & Kris Menace 16. "Satisfy" - Benny Benassi & The Benassi Bros. 17. "Silence" - Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan 18. "It's Like That" - Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins 19. "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)" - Modjo 20. "Pump Up the Jam" - Technotronic 21. "Push the Feeling On" - Nightcrawlers 22. "Finally" - CeCe Peniston 23. "Show Me Love" - Robin S. 24. "Sing It Back" - Moloko 25. "You Don't Know Me" - Armand Van Helden feat. Duane Harden

One notable book that delves into Euro House is the "Europop: The Impact of Eurovision Song Contest on European popular music" by Ian Inglis. In the book, Inglis provides an overview of how Eurovision and Euro House have influenced the European pop music scene, from the 1950s to the 21st century. He described how the introduction of Euro House to the Eurovision contest in the late 1980s marked a significant turning point in the competition, making it more appealing to a younger audience. Inglis also highlighted how Euro House has transcended national borders and enriched the European music industry. In his article "Euro House Music: Explained" published on Medium, music blogger Rob Hampson describes the defining characteristics of Euro House, such as its use of synthesizers, drum machines, and samples. He also mentions how the genre is influenced by other electronic music styles, such as Chicago House and Italo Disco. Hampson points out that Euro House's global popularity can be attributed to its appeal to mainstream audiences, as well as its ability to adapt and evolve, such as with the fusion of Latin and hip-hop elements in Euro House during the late 90s and early 2000s. In the book "Rave Off: Politics and Deviance in Contemporary Youth Culture" by Steve Redhead, he discusses how Euro House and other rave genres have challenged the dominant norms and values of society, particularly in the UK. Redhead observed how the rave culture provided an alternative space for young people to express themselves and connect with others outside of the mainstream culture. He also highlighted how Euro House, particularly its use of samples and remixes, has challenged the traditional concept of artistic "ownership" and copyright laws. Notable figures in the music industry have also commented on Euro House. Legendary DJ David Guetta, who has produced numerous Euro House tracks, remarked in an interview with Billboard that the genre is all about creating a "feel-good" vibe. He also emphasized the importance of combining melodic elements with energetic beats to create a sense of euphoria for the listeners. Meanwhile, German dance music pioneer DJ Taucher praised Euro House for its ability to unify people on the dance floor, regardless of their cultural background. In an interview with Mixmag, he shared that Euro House's infectious beats and uplifting melodies have a universal appeal, which has contributed to the genre's success and longevity.

The social context of Euro House was marked by the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. Europe was witnessing significant social and cultural changes. The collapse of Communist regimes led to the opening up of borders and a new wave of European integration. This new era of openness created a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and facilitated the spread of music across borders. The cultural context of Euro House was influenced by the rise of electronic dance music in the late 1980s. House and techno music were gaining popularity in Europe, and DJs were experimenting with new styles and sounds. The rave culture, which emerged from the underground club scene, was becoming visible in mainstream media, and people from different walks of life were joining the party. The technological context of Euro House was marked by advances in music technology. Technological innovations such as MIDI and digital recording made it easier for DJs and producers to create and manipulate music. The advent of the sampler allowed producers to create new sounds and incorporate existing recordings into their music. The use of drum machines and synthesizers gave producers more control over the sound of their music. Notable record labels played a vital role in the rise of Euro House. German-based record labels such as ZYX and Harthouse were instrumental in producing and promoting Euro House music. Belgium-based label, Dance Opera, released several Euro House hits, including "The Ultimate Seduction" by The Ultimate Seduction and "Love Is Energy" by Datura. Italian label, Media Records, produced several Euro House anthems, including "Rhythm Is a Dancer" by Snap! and "I Like to Move It" by Reel 2 Real. Music journalists also played a vital role in popularising Euro House. Publications such as Mixmag, DJ Magazine, and Muzik were some of the most prominent publications in the electronic dance music scene. They provided a platform for DJs and producers to showcase their music and interviews with leading figures in the industry. DJ Dave Pearce, who worked for BBC Radio 1, was one of the most famous Euro House DJs. His show, Dance Anthems, featured the latest Euro House tracks, and his mixtapes were hugely popular in the UK. The cultural impact of Euro House cannot be overstated. It shaped the sound of dance music in the 1990s and paved the way for other dance music genres. Euro House was also instrumental in opening up the global music market to European artists. Euro House music became popular in clubs around the world, and it dominated the charts in Europe and beyond. The genre gave birth to several international hits such as "No Limit" by 2 Unlimited, "What Is Love" by Haddaway, and "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay.