Fun & Upbeat Oldies

Start the year off right by stepping into the Oldies Vault for some fun, upbeat and rockin’ songs.

In 1971, the Isley Brothers sang us their best advice – Love The One You’re With. In these challenging times, that includes not only lovers, but friends, family and even your pets!

How can you not feel “mellow” and “happy” when you hear the 59^th Street Bridge Song? Do you remember who sang that song and it’s more recognizable title? Hint: It was written by Paul Simon and arranged by Leon Russell (song listed below).

There are so many great oldies out there that still make us jump, laugh, dance and snap our fingers. And speaking of fingers, Little Steve Wonder wowed everyone in l963 with his off the chart hit, Fingertips – enough to make anyone jump outta their chair and sway to Wonder’s swagger and hipness. Irene Cara’s Flashdance is still exhilarating and filled with positive energy – encouraging all of us to follow our dreams. And you’ll still want to get up and dance when you re-visit Herbie Hancock’s iconic (and electronic) Rockit featuring DJ scratch master, DXT – a song way ahead of it’s time in l983.

The 80’s really pushed the way we “looked” and “moved.” ZZ Top told us in no uncertain terms, that if you want the ladies, you’ve got to be that Sharp Dressed Man. Prince’s catchy U Got The Look (Sheena Easton on backup vocals) and Roxette’s The Look made women incessantly primp their hair and makeup.

Roy Orbison was a powerhouse success on the Billboard charts, even though his life was filled with tragedy. His Oh, Pretty Woman with his rolling cat-growl is a timeless classic. You Got It, his last big hit came in l989, released after his death in Dec. of 1988 (heart attack). It was his first top 10 hit in 25 years. It’s a beautiful, laid-back, happy, positive love song. If you don’t remember it, check it out on YouTube, it’s one of my personal all-time favorites.

So c’mon, let’s get 2022 started with some upbeat, fun oldies. Check them out on YouTube and/or load them into your favorite listening devices. Do some dancing and singing in the privacy of your own home. If your bones can take it, try to “duck walk” along with Chuck Berry, clap your hands with Little Stevie Wonder or go ahead and Shake Your Groove Thing. Then it’s time to ride with Robert Hazard on the Escalator of Life or hit the road in search of that little ole place to get together – The Love Shack. Let The Good Times Roll:

Let The Good Times Roll – Shirley & Lee ‘56

Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry ‘58

La Bamba – Richie Valens ‘59 Los Lobos ‘87

Zip-A-Dee Dooh-Dah – Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans ‘63

Fingertips – Little Stevie Wonder ‘63

Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison ‘64

Hold On! I’m A Comin’ – Sam & Dave ‘66

Good Vibrations – Beach Boys ‘66 Todd Rundgren ‘76

I Got Rhythm – The Happenings ‘67

The Happening – The Supremes ‘67

The 59^th Street Bridge Song (also known as Feelin’ Groovy) – Harper’s Bizarre ’67

Sweet Soul Music – Arthur Conley ‘67

It’s A Beautiful Morning – The Rascals ‘68

Make Your Own Kind of Music – Mama Cass Elliott ‘69

Put A Little Love In Your Heart – Jackie DeShannon ‘69, Al Green & Annie Lennox ‘89

Psychedelic Shack – Temptations ‘70

Joy To The World – 3 Dog Night ‘71

I Just Want To Celebrate – Rare Earth ‘71

Love The One You’re With – Isley Brothers ‘71 Stephen Stills also ‘71

Love Train – The O’Jays ‘73

Some Kind of Wonderful – Grand Funk ‘75

Let’s Live For Today – Grassroots ‘76

Back In The Saddle – Aerosmith ‘77

Enjoy Yourself – The Jacksons ‘77

Dusic – Brick ‘77

Shake Your Groove Thing – Peaches & Herb ‘79

Old Time Rock & Roll – Bob Seger ‘79

Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind & Fire ‘81

Escalator of Life – Robert Hazard ‘82

Pac-Man Fever – Buckner & Garcia ‘82 (a silly song, but so much FUN!)

Flashdance…What A Feeling – Irene Cara ‘83

Rockit – Herbie Hancock ‘83

Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top ‘83

Party Train – Gap Band ‘83

Footloose – Kenny Loggins ‘84

New Attitude – Patti Labelle ‘85

Rhythm Of the Night – Debarge ‘85

The Future’s So Bright, I’ve Got To Wear Shades – Timbuk 3 ‘86

Dancing On The Ceiling – Lionel Richie ‘86

Rock Steady – The Whispers ‘87

U Got The Look – Prince ‘87

The Look – Roxette ‘88

You Got It – Roy Orbison ‘89 (written by Roy, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne)

Love Shack – B-52’s ‘89

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Musicians and publishers can contact Ann I. Wonder at: ann@wonderwomensixty.com