The Best Funk and Oldies Music to Get You Moving
This is the best funk and oldies music to get you moving. You won’t be able to sit still when you listen to these classics.
The Best Funk Songs
Funk is a unique genre of music that is characterized by a groove that is often times considered infectious. This type of music is often accompanied by bass lines that aresyncopated, or off-beat. The use of horns and electric guitars are also common in funk music. If you are looking for a songs that will make you want to get up and move, then check out the list of funk songs below.
“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
“Superstition” is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. It was released on October 24, 1972, as the lead single from his fifteenth studio album, Talking Book.
The song’s lyrics describe various superstitions, such as a black cat crossing one’s path, and the steps one takes to avoid bad luck. The song also features a distinctive bass line by Wonder’s friend, touring bassist Bob Babbitt.
“Superstition” was a commercial success upon its release, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Wonder’s first and only single to top the chart. The song also peaked at number one on the Cash Box Top 100 and number two on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In 2008, “Superstition” was rankednumber 74 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2010, it was rankednumber 44 on Billboard’s Greatest Songs of All Time list.
“I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5
One of the most recognizable opening lines in all of pop music, “I Want You Back” announced to the world that the Jackson 5 were a force to be reckoned with. Written by the father/son team of Berry Gordy and Alphonso Mizell and produced by the great Hal Davis, the song is a masterclass in economy, clocking in at a tight two minutes and 58 seconds. Motown songwriter/producer Deke Richards claimed that he was the one who came up with the now-famous opening line, “Oh baby, give me one more chance,” which was reportedly inspired by a breakup he was going through at the time. The Mizells finished the rest of the song, working out the arrangement with Davis so that it would feature all five Jackson brothers prominently. “I Want You Back” was released as a single in October 1969 and hit No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts in early 1970.
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” by Michael Jackson
This song was released in 1982 on Jackson’s “Thriller” album. This is one of Jackson’s most well-known and iconic songs, and it perfectly embodies the funk genre. The bassline is catchy and groove-oriented, while the lyrics are playful and flirtatious. This song will get you moving and grooving in no time.
“Pick Up the Pieces” by Average White Band
This song was released in 1974 and was an instant hit. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is still a favorite among funk fans today. The song is known for its catchy groove and horn section, which helped make it a radio staple.
“Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” by James Brown
Saying that James Brown was influential is a bit like saying that water is wet. He was the hardest working man in show business, and his brand of high-octane, no-holds-barred funk changed the sound of music forever. This song, in particular, is a marvel of economy and funkiness, with Brown’s distinctive vocal style on full display. It’s guaranteed to get any party started.
The Best Oldies Songs
There’s nothing quite like a good oldies song to get you moving. Whether you’re at the gym, out for a run, or just trying to get through your day, a little funk and soul can go a long way. Here are some of our favorite oldies songs to get you moving.
“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” by The Four Tops
The Four Tops’ classic 1965 Motown single “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” is one of the most beloved oldies songs of all time. The catchy tune, which was written by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr., and Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland, perfectly encapsulates the sound and feel of 1960s soul music. The Four Tops’ version of the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks in 1965, and has since been covered by numerous artists, including The Jackson 5, Macy Gray, and UB40.
“My Girl” by The Temptations
“My Girl” is a 1964 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. Written and produced by the Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, the song became the Temptations’ first U.S. No. 1 single, and is their signature song. “My Girl” was included on the Temptations 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey.
“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
First recorded by Ben E. King in 1961, “Stand by Me” was written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller. The song has been covered by many artists over the years and was ranked at number 121 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song has also been selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
“Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” is a song co-written by soul singer Otis Redding and guitarist Steve Cropper. It was recorded by Redding at Stax Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 7, 1967, three days before his death in a plane crash. The song was released on January 8, 1968, reaching number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in March 1968; it held that position for four weeks. It was the first posthumous single to reach number one on the US charts, and became the second-best selling single of 1968 in the US, behind Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”.
The song features a commonplace melody but features beautifully simplistic guitar playing by Cropper and memorable lyrics by Redding. The lyrics of the song are about longing for someone and missing them deeply.Redding wrote most of the lyrics while sitting on a houseboat at Waldo Point in Sausalito, California watching the bay with some friends. While he wanted to be able to see his children grow up and experience life, he realized that he would never be able to do so because of his touring commitments. The Dock of the Bay was one of the first songs to deal with themes of death and impermanence, which would become a recurrent theme in later Redding songs.
“Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
Thisrobbery ballad about a man imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit was first recorded in 1955 by Al Hibbler. The following year, it became a No. 1 hit for Jimmy Young. In 1965, The Righteous Brothers took the song back to the top of the charts with their legendary performance of it at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. The single went on to sell more than 2 million copies and is still one of the most popular love songs of all time.
