A friend is having a funky dance party and asked me for some recommendations that would be sure to get even the shyest souls out on the dance floor. Here’s what I had off the top of my head–each of which has been featured here at OTE:
I Wish, Stevie Wonder
When I Think of You, Janet Jackson
(I Wanna) Be Your Man, Jesse Johnson
In My House, Mary Jane Girls
Rock Steady, Aretha Franklin
What have you got? Only AAA-list, most funkadelic selections, please.
The Commodores-Brick House
Do you seriously not have anything by George Clinton!?
His presence was implied by the word “funkadelic.”
Funkadelic – Loose Booty
‘Superstition’, Stevie Wonder
‘I cant get next to you’, Temptations
something by Prince
“I want to take you Higher” – Sly and the Family Stone
“Sex Machine”, James Brown
“O.P.P”, Naughty By Nature
“Superfreak”, Rick James, Beeyatch!
“Kung Fu”, Curtis Mayfield
“When Doves Cry”, Prince
“Cisco Kid”, War
“Ain’t Nobody” – Rufus w. Chaka Khan
“Oh Sheila” – Ready For the World
Anything by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings.
Got to have some James Brown.
Kim Weston’s original version of “Take Me in Your Arms”
Sly’s “Thank You Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin”
George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog”
The Meter’s “Hey Pocky A-way” and “Cissy Strut”
Parliament “Give Up the Funk”
Poppa was a rollin’ stone – temptations
Play that funky music (white boy) – wild cherry
and you can’t go wrong with ‘Lovely Day’ by bill withers.
“Hercules” by Aaron Neville
“That Lady” by The Isley Brothers
“Look-ka pv pv” by The Meters
“The Motor-Booty Affair” by Parliament
“Rigor Mortis” by Cameo
“Soul Power” by James Brown
“Flashlight” by Parliament
and as things wind down: “I’d Rather Be With You” by Bootsy Collins
You might want to try some early Talking Heads, which has a lot of funk influences. Try “Girlfriend is Better,” “Life During Wartime,” “Burning Down the House,” “Once in a Lifetime,” or “Take Me to the River.” One of these songs, tossed into the mix, would provide a surprise and a bit of variety.
How about Shining Star by Earth Wind & Fire?
“Boogie Wonderland” Earth, Wind & Fire
“You and I” Rick James
“Super Freak” Rick James
“Tear the Roof Off the Sucker” Funkadelic
“One Nation Under a Groove” Funkadelic
“Papa Was a Rolling Stone” Temptations
“City County City” War
“Third World Girl” Marvin Gaye
“Chase Me” Con Funk Shun
I’ve thought of a few more songs that your friend might not otherwise think of. All of these songs bring the funk, even if they come from groups that you wouldn’t normally classify that way:
Daft Punk: “Around the World”
LCD Soundsystem: “Daft Punk is Playing at my House”
Franz Ferdinand: “Take Me Out”
Gang of Four: “I Love a Man in a Uniform”
David Bowie: “Let’s Dance”
Blondie: “Heart of Glass”
And a few that haven’t yet been mentioned but that you have to play:
Lipps Inc.: “Funkytown”
Red Hot Chili Peppers: “Give it Away”
Those last two are a bit more obvious, and your friend might well already have them on the list.
“Everything I Do Gohn Be Funky (From Now On)”- Lee Dorsey
“I’ll Call Before I Come”- Outkast
“Superbad”- James Brown
“Controversy”- Prince
How could I have forgotten to mention Ohio Players’ “Love Rollercoaster?” David A. Spitzley suggested Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. I’d also suggest something from their Daptones label-mates, The Budos Band, perhaps “Chicago Falcon.”
Tower of Power!
Jungle boogie