The Funkiest Songs of 2016
A list of the year’s best, most funky songs. From soul to disco to R&B, these tracks will get you moving.
The Year in Funk
As we turn the corner into 2017, it’s time to take a look back at the year that was in funk. From classic hits like Parliament’s “Flash Light” to Prince’s “Kiss” to modern classics like Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” there was no shortage of great funk tunes in 2016. Here’s a look at some of the best:
– Parliament – “Flash Light”
One of the classic funk songs of all time, Parliament’s “Flash Light” is still as fresh and exciting as it was when it was first released in 1978. The song features a signature bass line from Bootsy Collins and a catchy vocal hook from George Clinton, making it one of the most infectious and danceable tunes of all time.
– Prince – “Kiss”
Prince’s 1984 hit “Kiss” is another timeless classic that remains as popular today as it was when it was first released. The song features a funky guitar riff and Prince’s signature falsetto vocals, making it one of the most distinctive and iconic funk tunes of all time.
– Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Bruno Mars’ 2014 smash hit “Uptown Funk” is one of the freshest and funkiest tunes in recent memory. The song features a catchy horn section and Mars’ slick dance moves, making it one of the most fun and entertaining funk tunes in recent years.
The Best Funk Songs of 2016
The best funk songs of 2016 are a mix of old and new. Some of the funkiest songs of 2016 come from classic funk artists like Prince and Parliament, while others are from newer artists like Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. What all of these songs have in common is a groovy, danceable beat that will make you want to get up and move.
“Ain’t Nobody” – Lettuce
Lettuce is an American instrumental funk band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band has been together for over 20 years and has released 9 studio albums. “Ain’t Nobody” is the lead single from their 2016 album, Crush.
“Up Above the World So High” – The New Mastersounds
The New Mastersounds are a UK-based quartet, who have been playing their brand of instrumental funk and soul for over 15 years. “Up Above the World So High” is the lead single from their 2016 album, Made for Pleasure.
The song starts with a driving bass line from Pete Shand, which is then joined bystax-horn like licks from guitarist Eddie Roberts. The horns give way to a tasty guitar solo from Roberts, before the song comes to a close with a funky breakdown.
“Up Above the World So High” is a funked-up take on the traditional Christmas carol, “Up On the Roof.” The New Mastersounds have taken the original melody and put their own spin on it, creating a truly unique holiday song.
“The Chicken” – Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier’s “The Chicken” is a funked-up ode to, well, chicken. The song is built around a simple groove that allows Collier’s virtuosic vocal and instrumental skills to shine. The result is a catchy and unique track that will get your feet moving.
“I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” – The Beatles
The Beatles track “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” has been hailed as one of the funkiest songs of 2016. The song, which was originally released in 1969, was re-released on the band’s ” Abbey Road” album in September of 2016.
“I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” is a funk song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and recorded by the Beatles. The song is notable for its bluesy feel and heavy use of sustain. The song was originally released on the 1969 album “Abbey Road” and later re-released on the 2016 album “Abbey Road”.
“Superstition” – Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” is a funk classic for a number of reasons: its indelible bassline, its catchy groove, and its status as an anthem for the superstitious. The song was released in 1972 as the lead single from Wonder’s album Talking Book and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of Wonder’s most successful singles.
The Worst Funk Songs of 2016
The following songs have been deemed the worst funk songs of 2016. We highly recommend avoiding these tunes if you enjoy funk music. The list is in no particular order.
“Formation” – Beyonce
Beyonce’s “Formation” might just be the worst funk song of 2016. The beat is incessantly grating, the lyrics are uninspired, and Beyonce’s vocal performance is flat and cardboard-like. The only thing remotely redeeming about this track is its slightly catchy hook. “Formation” is a skippable track that’s best left off of any 2016 funk playlist.
“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake
“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for the soundtrack to the film Trolls (2016), his fifth studio album, Man of the Woods (2018), and served as its lead single. The song was written and produced by Timberlake, Max Martin and Shellback. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” is an uptempo disco groove incorporating elements of R&B, soul, Funk, pop and synth-pop. Timberlake described it as “feel-good music” and “a summer anthem”.
The accompanying music video for “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” was directed by Mark Romanek and premiered on May 6, 2016. The video features cameo appearances from members of the cast of Trolls: Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Gwen Stefani, James Corden, Russell Brand and Kunal Nayyar. The video won Best Choreography at the MTV Video Music Awards. It also won Best Song at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, as well as being nominated for Grammy Award for Song of the Year at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
“Hotline Bling” – Drake
“Hotline Bling” is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake, which serves as the lead single from his fourth studio album Views (2016). The song is credited as a bonus track on the album. It was released to digital retailers October 24, 2015, and to rhythmic radio stations on October 27, 2015. Recording sessions took place during 2014 and 2015 at three different studios:Metro Boomin’s Boominati World in Atlanta, Georgia;Soulection Studios in Los Angeles, California;and Lil’ Boy Records Studios also in Los Angeles.
“Hotline Bling” received mixed reviews from music critics. Many praised the song’s production and Drake’s change of subject matter from previous releases, while others criticized its lyrical content. Commercially, the song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on both the US Rhythmic Songs chart and the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart; it became Drake’s first number-one hit on both latter charts as a lead artist.
An accompanying music video for “Hotline Bling” directed by Director X was released on October 19, 2015. It subsequently became popular on social media platforms such as Vine and YouTube. In the visual, Drake dances in various settings including a fluorescent lit car park. The video inspired many popular memes, most notably the “Drake Dance”, which saw people across social media mimicking Drake’s dance moves from the video. “Hotline Bling” won two awards at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards: Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Direction; it also won Video of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2016.’
The song is featured in a commercial for Apple Inc.’s iPhone 6s/6s Plus smartphones that aired during Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016.”Hotline Bling” was ranked at number 435 in Pitchfork Media’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in January 2017
“Cake by the Ocean” – DNCE
This funk song by DNCE was released in 2016 and quickly topped the charts. It is known for its catchy beat and repetitive lyrics. However, many people believe that the cake referred to in the song is actually a sexual innuendo. The video for the song also caused controversy, as it featured the band members eating cake in a suggestive manner.
“Work from Home” – Fifth Harmony
“Work from Home” is a song recorded by American girl group Fifth Harmony for their second studio album, 7/27 (2016). It was released on February 26, 2016, as the lead single from the album. The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. “Work from Home” became the first top 10 hit by a girl group in ten years when it peaked at number four on April 9, 2016, and its parent album 7/27 debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 album chart on May 13, 2016.
