Ringing in Oldies Blasts From the Past

The New Year has landed – 2022 is on its way to becoming a distant memory as we all breathe in the freshness of 2023. The new year is also a time of reflection – of years gone by, and it’s also a great time to dive into the oldies vault and re-visit some superior blasts from the past.

Some are lost hits are rarely heard on oldies radio like Aint No Stoppin’ Us Now by the R & B group McFadden & Whitehead who wrote songs for many Philadelphia soul acts and helped define The Sound of Philadelphia. Also from Philly, Mark Valentino provided us with his one-hit wonder, The Push and Kick.

Mind, Body and Soul by the 60’s group, the Flaming Ember and Roy Orbison’s Oh Pretty Woman, were both begging, soulful hits proclaiming undying love.

And who can’t sing along with Curtis Mayfield whenever they hear Superfly? But there’s no singing needed, just finger snapping and swaying to the hip, easy going vibes of The “In” Crowed by Ramsey Lewis. And which version of Respect Yourself do you prefer? The ‘70’s Staple Singers classic OR the “I’m a tough guy with an attitude” version by Bruce Willis in the late 80’s?

These decades-old hits still stand the test of time. Some are feisty, festive, naughty, nice, upbeat or just plain fun to re-visit. Others are pulsating enough to motivate you for a marathon workout! Load them into your favorite listening devices, check them out on YouTube and bring your favorites back into 2023:

La Bamba – Richie Valens ‘59

Shop Around – The Miracles ‘60

Push & Kick – Mark Valentino ‘62

Love Me Do – The Beatles ‘64

Oh Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison – ‘64

Let’s Hang On – 4 Seasons – ‘65

Concrete and Clay – Eddie Rambeau ‘65 and Unit Four plus Two also in ‘65

Catch Us If You Can – Dave Clark 5 ‘65

The “In” Crowd – Ramsey Lewis ‘65

I Got You (I Feel Good – James Brown ‘65

These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra ‘66

Cool Jerk – The Capitols ‘66

Lightning Strikes – Lou Christie ‘66

Light My Fire – The Doors ‘67

Respect – Aretha Franklin ‘67

Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison ‘67

I Say A Little Prayer – Dionne Warwick ‘67 and Aretha Franklin ‘68

Hush – Deep Purple ‘68

Dance To The Music – Sly & the Family Stone ‘68

Give Peace A Chance- John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band ‘69 (recorded in a hotel suite in Montreal, Canada)

Mind, Body and Soul – Flaming Ember ‘69

Groovy Situation – Gene Chandler ‘70

Respect Yourself – Staple Singers ‘71 Bruce Willis ‘87

Use Me – Bill Withers ‘72

Superfly – Curtis Mayfield ‘72

Midnight Train to Georgia – Gladys Knight & the Pips ‘73

Do It (Til You’re Satisfied) – B.T. Express ‘74

Get Dancin’ – Disco Tex & the Sex-O-Lettes ‘74

It’s Only Rock N’Roll (But I Like It) – Rolling Stones ‘74

Lady Marmalade – Patti Labelle ‘75

Dream On – Aerosmith ‘76

Stayin’ Alive – The Bee Gees ‘77

Do Ya Wanna Get Funk With Me – Peter Brown ‘77

Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead ‘79

Good Times – Chic ‘79

Celebration – Kool & the Gang ‘80

Give Me The Night – George Benson ‘80

I’m Alive – ELO ‘80

Give It To Me Baby – Rick James ‘81

Private Eyes – Hall & Oates ‘81

Let It Whip – Dazz Band ‘82

Abracadabra – Steve Miller Band ‘82

Eye of the Tiger – Survivor ‘82

Lady Love Me (One More Time) – George Benson ‘83

When Doves Cry – Prince and The Revolution ‘84

Swept Away – Diana Ross ‘84 (written & produced by Daryl Hall)

Flashdance (What a Feeling) – Irene Cara ‘83

Rock You Like A Hurricane – Scorpions ‘84

Party All The Time – Eddie Murphy ‘85

Material Girl – Madonna ‘85

Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves – ‘85

C’est La Vie – Robbie Nevil ‘86

Rock Steady – The Whispers ‘87

I Want Your Sex – George Michael ‘87 (from film: Beverly Hills Cop II)

Who’s That Girl – Madonna ‘87

Wild Thing – Tone Lok ‘88

Push It – Salt-n-Pepa ‘88

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