Get Your Funk On: The Best 80s Dance Music
The 80s were a great time for dance music. If you’re looking to get your funk on, check out our list of the best 80s dance tunes.
Introduction
The 1980s was a decade of big hair, big fashion, and big music. From Prince and Madonna to Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, the 80s produced some of the most legendary musical artists of all time. But it wasn’t just the pop stars that defined the decade – dance music also played a huge role in shaping 80s culture.
From electro to hip hop, new wave to funk, there was a style of dance music to suit everyone in the 80s. And with the advent of MTV, dance music videos became an essential part of the pop culture landscape. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to relive the best 80s dance tunes!
The Birth of Funk
In the early 1970s, James Brown and other black musicians began heavily incorporating elements of African music into their own. This new sound would come to be known as funk. Funk was a stripped-down, rhythmic style of music that was based on the groove. The focus was on the rhythm section, which created a strong, propulsive beat that was meant to be danced to. The melodies and lyrics were secondary to the groove.
Funk quickly caught on with black audiences, and by the mid-1970s, it had become one of the most popular genres of black music. In the late 1970s, Parliament-Funkadelic brought funk to a wider audience with their wild, psychedelic brand of funk. They would prove to be hugely influential, not just on funk but on all genres of popular music.
Other important funk bands of the 1970s included Earth, Wind & Fire; Kool & The Gang; and Chic. These bands would help shape the sound of popular music in the 1980s and beyond.
The Rise of Funk
The rise of funk music in the early 1980s coincided with the increased popularity of dance music and the decline of disco. Funk songs were often shorter and more repetitive than disco songs, making them more suitable for dancing. They also incorporated elements of soul, R&B, and hip hop, making them more appealing to a wider range of listeners.
Funk songs often had a catchy bass line or drum groove that was easy to dance to, and they often featured call-and-response vocals between the singer and the audience. The best funk songs were generally uptempo and positive in nature, making them perfect for dancing.
Some of the most popular funk songs of the 1980s include “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan, “Super Freak” by Rick James, and “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc. These songs are still popular today, and they continue to be played at clubs and parties around the world.
The Funk of the 80s
Funk music rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with artists like Parliament-Funkadelic, James Brown, and Prince leading the way. Funk is a type of African-American dance music that is characterized by a strong bassline and simple, syncopated rhythms. The genre often incorporates elements of soul, R&B, and disco.
In the 1980s, funk underwent a major resurgence thanks to the popularity of artists like George Clinton, Rick James, and Prince. These artists helped to make funk music more mainstream and accessible to a wider audience. Funk songs often have a party-like atmosphere and are designed to get people moving on the dance floor.
If you’re looking for some great 80s funk songs to add to your playlist, check out these classics:
-“Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)” by Parliament-Funkadelic
-“Super Freak” by Rick James
-“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.
-“U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer
-“Kiss” by Prince
The End of Funk
The end of funk can be traced back to two key events: the rise of disco in the mid-1970s and the release of George Clinton’s solo album Computer Games in 1982.
Disco marked the beginning of a new era in dance music, one that was characterized by synthesizers and electronic rhythms. This new sound quickly overshadowed funk’s organic groove, causing many funk bands to either disband or change their sound.
Meanwhile, Clinton’s solo album signaled the end of Parliament-Funkadelic, the most influential and important funk band of all time. After Clinton’s departure, Parliament-Funkadelic struggled to find its footing, releasing a string of underwhelming albums that failed to captivate audiences.
By the early 1980s, funk was no longer the dominant force in black music; it had been replaced by disco, soul, and later hip-hop. Nevertheless, the influence of funk can still be heard in today’s music, from Prince to Outkast.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 80s was a great decade for dance music. Some of the best artists of all time emerged during this time and created some of the most iconic and timeless songs that we still enjoy today. If you’re looking to get your groove on, then be sure to check out some of the classic tracks on this list. You’re sure to have a great time!
