Funk songs really dominated the radio in the 1970s, and for good reason. Few genres that were popular at the time matched the danceable energy and uplifting lyricism that funk was known for. If you’re going through a hard time at the moment, I bet the following funk classics from the 1970s will at least set your mood straight for a little while.
“Ridin’ High” by Parlet from ‘Invasion Of The Booty Snatchers’ (1979)
This delightful offering from the underrated all-girl group Parlet always puts me in a good mood. A standout song from Invasion Of The Booty Snatchers, “Ridin’ High” remains the short-lived trio’s most commercially successful song. It peaked at No. 49 on the US R&B chart, and it’s honestly crazy to me that Parlet didn’t enjoy more commercial success. Today, they’re remembered as the first woman-led group in the P-Funk universe.
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“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire from ‘The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1’ (1978)
Is there a more joyful funk song out there? That’s up for debate, but “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire is, without a doubt, one of the most celebratory funk tunes of the 1970s. It was also an enormous crossover hit. “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire made it all the way to No. 1 on the Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It reached the Top 20 globally and remains one of the band’s most famous songs.
“Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)” by Parliament from ‘Mothership Connection’ (1976)
There’s no way I could leave this Parliament classic off our list of uplifting funk songs from the 1970s. This song is communal, catchy, and huge; all elements of an enduring funk classic. “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)” by Parliament is an anthem for the ages, and it was also the band’s first million-plus-selling single. This funk track peaked at No. 16 on the Hot 100 chart. It has since been sampled and reimagined several times over the years by the likes of Tweedy Bird Loc, Snoop Dogg, and others.
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More The List
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American country singer Johnny Cash (1932 – 2003) plays acoustic guitar in a still form his television series, 'The Johnny Cash Show,' circa 1969. (Photo by Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – 1965: Singer Mel Carter poses for a photo in 1965 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images) -
Canadian folk-rock singer and songwriter Gordon Lightfoot sings and plays acoustic guitar for the television concert series, 'Midnight Special,' 1970s. (Photo by Getty Images) -
ST. PAUL, MN – August 25: Alan Jackson plays acoustic guitar at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 25, 1995.(Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/GettyImages) -
Photo by Michael Webb/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images -
1970s one-hit wonder Norman Greenbaum -
The British singer Kate Bush poses for a photo shoot. Great Britain, 1980 (Photo by Angelo DeligioMondadori via Getty Images) -
American musician Stevie Nicks of the group Fleetwood Mac performs onstage at the Los Angeles Forum, Inglewood, California, December 6, 1979. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)