You know how it sounds and feels. You're at a party, enjoying the conversation, food and background music when a new melody begins. Your ears perk up and zero in. The tune is distinct enough to recognize within just a few notes. Your hands clap, your arms swing, your body twists, your legs jump. You're moving in place. You scurry to gather all your partners and lead them to the dance floor. It's just the right song, your favorite song, and you're ready.
Yes, everybody has different favorites. But it has been my experience that my five favorite dance songs are guaranteed to get everyone movin' and shakin'. You can be at a small party, a reunion, a wedding, wherever there is music, and these songs will lead everyone out onto the dance floor.
Even while driving, these tunes have your hand patting the wheel, your foot tapping the pedals or your fingers snapping. As the music plays on, you're singing along, or at least humming if you've forgotten the words.
The first selection on my play list is an old oldie, which slides over several generations, titled In the Mood by Glenn Miller.http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3844 It was the number one song in 1940 and was a big hit again when it was rerecorded in 1943 and 1953. I'm sure back in the day the dance was swing but today it doesn't really matter how you move to it. For some it evokes times past but for the younger dancers it is a chance to create new memories to a great, big band sound.
Next up is Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels' 1966 Devil with a Blue Dress On. Everyone knows at least the beginning lyric, "fee fee fi fi fo fo fum" and the chorus "Devil with the blue dress, blue dress, blue dress, Devil with the blue dress on". (I'm sorry if the tune is stuck in your head now). But that song will get any party started.
The have-to-play song at any high school or wedding dance still has to be My Girl, written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, two of the Miracles out of Motown. The song was a number one seller for The Temptations in 1965. First of all, it is a good choice and a safe bet for the young male who doesn't dance. All he has to do is get up his courage, ask her to dance and then just rock back and forth. Later, it is a tearjerker for the reception guests watching the father-of-the-bride swaying with his daughter. At all the dances in between it is a sweet opportunity to let dancers catch their breath after the rock and roll or as a romantic close to the evening.
My next selection is the been-around-forever, sure-fire, everyone-get-out-on-floor collection that is sprinkled throughout the evening. Take your pick. The set includes YMCA - give everyone a lot of room, the Chicken Dance - extra amusing with old ladies with bad knees, the Hokey Pokey - the little kids are so proud when they join the circle, and We Are Family - always good for a show of unity by family, friends and anyone else who happens to be around. One or two of these songs may be enough. It is best to spread them out or paramedics may be needed. All of these are a good but challenging workout for the drunks. Each is a dance anthem requested by many.
The last, the best and my all time favorite song to dance to is Gimme Some Lovin' by the Spencer Davis Group. Steve Winwood co-founded the Spencer Davis Group and recorded this song in England.http://www.stevewinwood.com/bio.full.htm A year later, 1966, the song became a hit in the United States. You can't not dance to it. It has the perfect combination of beat, rhythm, and sound for dancing. I don't even know the words, except of course "gimme some lovin'. And it doesn't matter because I don't have to know the words to move my feet. I think a lot of people will agree that a party dance is just not complete without Gimme Some Lovin'.
Now, you may have noted that several of these songs are from the mid sixties. I was a teenager then and just starting to pay attention to music and groups. Maybe that is why these songs have stayed with me. My first dances were to songs by music giants of the time, including Elvis, the Beatles, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, The Monkees and so many more. To me, that era will always be hard to top for dance music. Those oldies will always be my goodies.