There is some controversy among the principle
songwriters of "Summer Of '69" as to exactly
what the title refers to. Bryan Adams was only 9
years old in 1969 and claims it is a sexual
metaphor. His songwriting partner Jim Vallance
disagrees seeing other possible inspirations
such as the film Summer Of '42.
Regardless of the origin it was a top 5 pop hit
and is looked at fondly by a wide range of music
fans.
This nostalgic journey of a song appealed to
a wide range of music fans from rock to
adult pop to country. It is catchy enough
for young audiences while guaranteed to please
fans of the classic songs "Werewolves Of London"
and "Sweet Home Alabama" referenced in the
recording. "All Summer Long" was a significant
pop hit around the world.
"Ice Ice Baby," the "Under Pressure" sampling
#1 smash from Vanilla Ice is easily derided, but
it remains a key record for breaking hip hop
into the US pop charts. It is also likely to
raise a smile and a laugh at any party. Keep
this one handy when you need a good laugh and
fond memories from revelers of a certain age.
And you only thought songs about the back end
had disappeared. R&B singer Sisqo found a
permanent place on party soundtracks with this
appreciation of female anatomy and the accessory
of a thong. The frenetic concoction was a top 15
pop hit.
The
Doobie Brothers played this song in various
forms for three years before recording it. Armed
with a massive guitar riff and rhythm track that
foreshadowed the coming of disco, it remains a
great retro 70s party song.
Gaining its greatest success through
inclusion on the Saturday Night Fever
soundtrack, "Disco Inferno" takes its cue also
from the hit movie The Towering Inferno.
The song describes a party so "hot" it is
literally going up in flames.
"The Humpty Dance" is sung by Humpty Hump,
the alter ego of Digital Underground member
Shock G. He proudly describes some of his sexual
exploits. The hip hop and funk blend is a party
classic. The song includes a variety of samples
from other songs and in turn it has been sampled
widely in more recent music. "The Humpty Dance"
was a #11 pop and #1 rap hit for Digital
Underground.
Fueled by ragga vocals from Trinidad and
Tobago artist the Mad Stuntman, this song has
been a favorite for breaks in sports events. It
was a top 5 pop hit in the UK and a top 10 dance
hit in the US. The song was featured prominently
in the animated film Madagascar.
As the song says, there are women with big
butts, and there are men that appreciate them.
MTV's initial ban of the accompanying video only
helped the song gain public attention. The song
went clear to #1 on the pop singles chart and
won a Grammy Award. It also spawned a string of
songs appreciating this aspect of female anatomy.
It has also been a party classic for two decades.
This song helped turn soap opera actor Rick
Springfield into a pop star. It went to #1 on
the pop singles chart and is a classic of
romantic angst. 30 years later it remains a sing
along party classic revived recently as a top
hit from the TV show Glee.
High school dances in the 1950s were often
refereed to as "the Hop." This song was
originally called "Do the Bop," but, after
hearing it,
American Bandstand's
Dick Clark suggested the name change. The
song went to #1 for five weeks. It regained
popularity after being performed by Sha Na Na at
Woodstock in 1969 and then being included on the
soundtrack to the movie American Graffiti
in 1973.
Unfortunately for the Bangles, one of their
least favorite of their recordings is likely to
be one of their most memorable. The ultra-catchy
novelty of "Walk Like An Egyptian" landed at #1
on the pop singles chart for four weeks. It has
just enough novelty and a call for physical
involvement that it makes a great enduring party
song.
This unlikely combination of hip hop, jazzy,
and a trippy attitude remains a party classic
over 20 years later. De La Soul's debut album
3 Feet High and Rising, which includes
"Me, Myself and I," is seen today as a pop and
hip hop landmark.
Destiny's Child invite you to party with them
at a club. Can you resist? This song urgently
depicting the party atmosphere went to #3 on the
pop singles chart.
Originally recorded as "Sexy B**ch," this
song became an instant party classic. Toss
together admiration of the female anatomy with a
driving, club ready beat, and you have instant
party fun. In one of the two versions the song
went to #1 in at least 10 countries around the
world.
The sound may be steeped in retro disco, but
Rihanna created a stomping party jam with
this hit. Vocal patterns lifted from
Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'" are swirled in to further heat up the
mix. This instant classic is sure to generate a
peak dance moment at any party.
In case you ever wondered about the source of
that squeal that so effectively ups the
intensity of "Jump Around," it is a saxophone
sample from "Shoot Your Shot" by Jr. Walker and
the All Stars. House Of Pain's hip hop classic
is a favorite for generating energy and
encouraging everyone to, well, "jump around."
The chorus originally was, "Can I get a f**k
you," but then was changed to "Can I get a...what
what" for mainstream radio. This song helped
make Ja Rule a star. You will likely find
yourself singing along to the infectious chorus.
The song may not be socially acceptable in
some quarters due to its support of drinking
one's troubles away, but it is very difficult to
avoid singing along and having visions of joyful
camaraderie. This was Garth Brooks' third #1
country hit and the first from his 17 times
platinum album No Fences. It also went
to the pop top 40 in the UK.
This bit of island style electro-pop inspired
the popular "electric slide" line dance. You can
still see it being enjoyed at wedding receptions
everywhere. The dance isntructions themselves
have been subject to copyright conflict, but
that doesn't stop fans from enjoying the
electric slide.
