The late 1990s and early 2000s represent trance music at its absolute peak. This was when the genre moved from underground raves into mainstream consciousness, creating anthems that still pack dancefloors decades later. These tracks didn’t just define a generation of clubbers – they established one of the sonic blueprints that continues to influence electronic music today.
But trance didn’t start in 1997, and didn’t end in 2001 – far from it. So this list also includes some earlier and later tracks, too. You may not agree with them all. You may think there are tracks we’ve missed out. That’s part of the fun! Do let us know your favourites in the comments, and share your memories too – we’d love to hear them.
So here we go: Our guide to the essential classics that shaped trance’s golden era.
Late 1990s “Golden Era”
Energy 52 – Café Del Mar (Three ‘N One Remix) (1997)
The Three ‘N One remix of Café Del Mar (by Producer Sharam Jey, who I booked to play at my club on the back of it) became the definitive version of an already classic track, reaching number 24 in the UK charts in 1997. Named after the famous Ibiza bar, this track was voted number one in Mixmag’s “100 Best Tunes Ever” list in 2001. The main melody is based on “Struggle for Pleasure” by Belgian composer Wim Mertens, transformed into a euphoric trance anthem that captured the essence of Balearic chill-out culture meeting peak-time trance energy.
(Bonus: If you want to hear an iconic progreessive version of the Wim Martens tune, check out the Filterheadz remix of Minimalistix “Struggle For Pleasure”, one of my personal warm up favourites for many years in my own DJ sets.)
Robert Miles – Children (1995)
One of the most successful instrumental tracks of all time, Children sold over 5 million copies and topped charts in more than 12 countries. Miles created this pioneering dream house anthem with dual inspiration: photographs of child war victims from Bosnia that his father brought home, and a desire to calm ravers at the end of nights to encourage safer journeys home. The track’s instantly recognisable piano riff helped establish dream house as a genre and reached number two in the UK, held off only by Oasis’s “Don’t Look Back In Anger”.
BT – Flaming June (1997)
Released on 30 June 1997 (appropriately enough), Flaming June became one of progressive trance’s defining moments. The BT & Paul van Dyk mix was recorded in conjunction with their remix of PvD’s “Forbidden Fruit”, and the two tracks mix brilliantly together. Reaching number 19 in the UK charts, it’s been widely regarded as a trance anthem and showcased BT’s trademark production complexity combined with PvD’s driving energy.
Binary Finary – 1998 (Paul van Dyk Remix) (1998)
The Paul van Dyk remix of 1998 transformed an already strong track into an absolute monster. This remix became the version that dominated clubs worldwide, with PvD’s signature driving bassline and euphoric breakdown making it a staple of his legendary DJ sets. The track’s title simply referenced the year of its release, but its impact lasted far beyond that.
Three Drives On A Vinyl – Greece 2000 (1997)
With its unmistakable Mediterranean melody and driving bassline, Greece 2000 captured the essence of late 90s trance euphoria. The track reached number 12 in the UK charts and became synonymous with the Balearic trance sound. Its simple but effective hook made it instantly recognisable and ensured its place as a timeless classic. One of its composers, Ton TB, was a regular DJ at my club night, Tangled.
Chicane – Saltwater (1999)
Featuring vocals from Irish singer Máire Brennan of Clannad, Saltwater combined ethereal Celtic influences with driving trance production. The track reached number 6 in the UK and showcased how trance could incorporate diverse musical influences while maintaining its euphoric energy. Chicane’s lush production style helped define the more melodic end of the trance spectrum.
Bonus: I think one of the most underrated Chicane songs that captures trance’s softer side, melancholy yet driving, is the Thrillseekers remix of Autumn Tactics – a favourite in my DJ sets for many years (especially when pitched down a little).
System F – Out of the Blue (1999)
Ferry Corsten’s System F alias delivered this uplifting anthem that perfectly encapsulates turn-of-the-millennium trance optimism. The track’s soaring melody and relentless energy made it a fixture in DJ sets worldwide, reaching number 14 in the UK charts. Its title perfectly described the sudden impact it had on dancefloors everywhere.
Read this next: Trance Nation – How Ferry Corsten & Ministry of Sound Changed Dance Music Forever
Gouryella – Gouryella (1999)
The collaboration between Ferry Corsten and Tiësto under the Gouryella name produced this epic trance anthem. With its dramatic build-ups, powerful melody, and perfect balance of energy and emotion, the self-titled track became one of trance’s most celebrated productions. It reached number 15 in the UK and demonstrated how trance could be both anthemic and sophisticated.
Veracocha – Carte Blanche (1999)
Another collaboration between Ferry Corsten and Vincent de Moor under the Veracocha alias, Carte Blanche became an instant classic with its distinctive acid line and driving groove. The track’s relentless energy and memorable hook made it a favourite among DJs and clubbers alike, cementing its place in trance history.
Get our course: Ferry Corsten’s Trance Mixing Masterclass
Delerium – Silence (Tiësto’s In Search of Sunrise Remix) (2000)
While the original Silence was laidback featuring vocals from Sarah McLachlan, Tiësto’s remix transformed it into a trance anthem. His “In Search of Sunrise” mix (released in 2000) stripped back the production to focus on the haunting vocals and added his signature progressive trance energy, creating one of the most played tracks in trance history.
All that said, the version I played that preceded this one, and that was far and away the favourite version at the club night, Tangled, that I co-founded and DJed at, was Fade’s Sanctuary remix – less obvious, more of a grower, it used to really grab the place by the scruff of its neck! (Plus ultimately, Tiësto based his version on it.)
DJ Quicksilver – Timeriders (Lange Remix) (1998)
Lange’s remix of Timeriders (the original was also from 1998) took the original’s energy and injected it with pure trance euphoria. The remix became more popular than the original, with its driving bassline and uplifting breakdown making it a peak-time favourite in clubs worldwide. This was one of my go-to songs to close a DJ set and a night, lights up, everyone going for it one last time – and the production on the drop still kicks hard today.
William Orbit – Barber’s Adagio for Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix) (1999)
Ferry Corsten’s remix of William Orbit’s classical adaptation created a haunting trance masterpiece. Taking Samuel Barber’s emotional classical piece and adding driving trance production, Corsten created a track that worked equally well in moments of reflection and peak-time euphoria. It demonstrated how trance could successfully incorporate classical music’s emotional depth.
“Pre-trance” anthems
Quench – Dreams (1993)
This tough but uplifting anthem combined a killer riff with a memorable vocal hook. Dreams captured the optimistic spirit of early 90s pre-trance European scene, with its soaring breakdown and driving energy making it one of those tracks that bridged the gap between the early and the late 90s for this type of music, making it a favourite among both DJs and clubbers.
Humate – Love Stimulation (Paul van Dyk Lovemix) (1993)
Paul van Dyk’s Lovemix transformed this into an absolute weapon. The remix’s driving energy and euphoric, incessant piano-led melody and breakdown made it a staple of PvD’s sets and helped establish his reputation as one of trance’s premier faces early on.
Jam & Spoon – Stella (1992)
This German duo’s contribution to trance combined ethereal melodies with driving production. Stella showcased their ability to create atmospheric tracks that maintained dancefloor energy, helping establish the deeper, more progressive side of trance music right from the off.
Age of Love – Age of Love (Watch Out For Stella Club Mix) (1992)
Originally released in 1990, this track gained new life through this remix in 1992, the “Watch Out For Stella Club Mix” by Jam & Spoon. Its distinctive bassline, chopped up female vocal melody and driving energy made it a bridge between early rave culture and modern trance.
Transformer 2 – Pacific Symphony (Original Mix) (1992)
This production featured lush, orchestral elements combined with driving trance energy, Pacific Symphony lived up to its name with sweeping melodies that evoked oceanic imagery, demonstrating how trance could create cinematic soundscapes. When the piano hits towards the end, it’s all over. Devastating.
Dance 2 Trance – Hello San Francisco (1993)
This early trance anthem helped establish the genre’s characteristic sound. With its memorable vocal sample and driving energy, Hello San Francisco became a bridge between the harder sounds of early 90s rave and the more melodic trance that would dominate later in the decade.
Marmion – Schöneberg (Marmion Remix) (1993)
This German production has something of the psy-trance vibe about it, a bit of a guitar-esque feel too. Schöneberg’s driving groove and atmospheric production made it a favourite among DJs looking for tracks that worked to turn heads in more conventional sets.
Vernon – Wonderer (1995)
This progressive trance chugger featured ethereal production and a distinctive melody that set it apart. Wonderer’s atmospheric qualities and driving bassline made it perfect for those magical moments on the dancefloor when energy and emotion perfectly aligned.
Cygnus X – The Orange Theme (1994)
This dark German production became an underground classic with its distinctive acid line and relentless energy. The Orange Theme’s driving groove, key changes and memorable hook made it a favourite among DJs and helped establish the harder-edged sound that influenced much of late 90s trance, for instance with artists like Tomcraft.
Legend B – Lost In Love (1994)
This high-tempo, simple yet emotional anthem combined a killer uplifting melody with stripped back production. Lost In Love captured the more romantic side of trance music, with its soaring breakdown and highly euphoric energy making it perfect for those peak emotional moments on the dancefloor.
Turn of the Millennium Anthems
Rank 1 – Airwave (1999)
Airwave became one of the most iconic trance anthems of all time when it reached number 10 in the UK charts. The Dutch duo’s production combined a memorable melody with driving energy that perfectly captured the euphoric essence of late 90s trance. Its distinctive breakdown and powerful drop made it an essential weapon in every trance DJ’s record box.
Ayla – Ayla (Taucher Remix) (1996)
German producer DJ Taucher’s creation under the Ayla moniker became an instant classic. The track’s Middle Eastern-influenced melody and driving bassline made it instantly recognisable, reaching number 22 in the UK charts and becoming a staple of trance sets worldwide. It’s still dropped sincerely by DJs today.
Mauro Picotto – Lizard (1998) / Komodo (2000)
Italian producer Mauro Picotto delivered two massive hits that defined the harder edge of trance. Lizard (1998) introduced his distinctive tribal-influenced sound, while Komodo (2000) (which prominently featured similar elements) became even more successful, reaching number 13 in the UK charts. Both tracks showcased how trance could incorporate harder, more aggressive elements while maintaining melodic appeal.
Push – Universal Nation (1998)
Belgian producer M.I.K.E.’s project Push delivered this timeless anthem that remains a dancefloor destroyer. Universal Nation’s distinctive melody and truly relentless energy made it a favourite among both progressive and uplifting trance DJs. The track reached number 37 in the UK charts but its impact on trance music far exceeded its commercial performance.
Paul van Dyk – For An Angel (1998)
For An Angel became PvD’s signature track in 1998, reaching number 13 in the UK charts. The track’s emotional melody and perfect production made it one of trance’s most enduring anthems. It demonstrated PvD’s ability to create tracks that were both euphoric and sophisticated, helping establish him as one of trance’s most important artists.
Later Anthems
Tiësto – Lethal Industry (2001)
As trance moved into the new millennium, Tiësto’s Lethal Industry showcased a harder, more aggressive sound. The track’s relentless energy and industrial influences demonstrated how trance was evolving, while its anthemic qualities ensured it remained accessible to mainstream audiences.
Armin van Buuren – In and Out of Love (feat. Sharon den Adel) (2008)
Armin’s collaboration with Within Temptation vocalist Sharon den Adel produced this powerful vocal trance anthem. The track combined den Adel’s distinctive vocals with driving trance production, becoming one of Armin’s most successful tracks and demonstrating how trance continued to evolve into the late 2000s.
Read this next: Everything You Wanted To Know About Trance (But Were Too Afraid To Ask)
OceanLab – Satellite (2004)
The collaboration between Above & Beyond and vocalist Justine Suissa delivered this emotional vocal trance classic. Satellite’s combination of heartfelt lyrics, Suissa’s distinctive vocals, and Above & Beyond’s production made it an enduring favourite that helped define the emotional, vocal-driven side of trance in the mid-2000s.
Above & Beyond – Sun & Moon (2011)
Featuring vocals from Richard Bedford, Sun & Moon became one of Above & Beyond’s biggest tracks. The combination of Bedford’s emotive vocals and Above & Beyond’s uplifting production created an anthem that resonated with both longtime trance fans and newcomers to the genre. It demonstrated how trance continued to create emotionally powerful music into the 2010s.
Gareth Emery – Sanctuary (2010)
Featuring vocals from Lucy Saunders, Sanctuary showcased Gareth Emery’s ability to create uplifting vocal trance that combined emotional depth with dancefloor energy. The track’s soaring melody and powerful breakdown made it a favourite in his DJ sets and helped establish him as one of trance’s leading artists in the 2010s.
Final Word…
These tracks represent more than just a playlist – they’re the foundation of trance music’s golden age. Each one contributed something unique to the genre’s evolution, whether through innovative production techniques, emotional depth, or pure dancefloor energy. While trance has continued to evolve, these classics remain as powerful today as when they were first released, proving that truly great music transcends trends and time.
Love these trance classics and want to learn how to mix them properly? Ferry Corsten (who made several of these) teaches you exactly that in our brand-new course with him, Ferry Corsten’s Trance Mixing Masterclass.
Phil Morse
