here’s the gist of why i consider these songs fun: all of these songs are filled with glorious interweaving, conversating polyrhythms. and that of course relates to the second point, which is that any of these songs allow me to peacefully flail around like the harmlessly spazzing schizo weirdo that i am. do these songs reward repeated listening? oh friend, you have no idea.☺
MOST FUN SONGS OF ALL TIME
james brown ― cold sweat (1967)
the full take. i mean do i really need to explain why this song is so much fun? one of the goat drum breaks and the first lyrics in it are, “i don’t care.” definitive fun moment: when the band comes back in after the break. that’s a common thing in this list, fyi.
archie bell+drells ― tighten up (1967)
parts 1+2. this is such an obvious groove and bassline, i have to think it’s not the first time this ever happened. it’s not even a song, really; just a white hot simmering vibe that’s constantly on the edge of jubilation, but also too cool for that. definitive fun moment: “we dance just as good as we walk!”
cannonball adderley ― walk tall “live at operation breadbasket” (1970)
impossible to pick a definitive recording, i went with the fastest tempo. more of a feature for joe zawinul, but damn, roy motherfriggin` mccurdy! for such a simple riff, he finds just about every permutation of the groove. definitive fun moment: when the brass comes back in after joe’s long, vampy solo. hell yeah!
lee dorsey ― occapella (1970)
music appreciating itself is one of my favorite tropes. this song is just about as comforting as i can think of. such an obvious groove, too. when they hit the chorus background vox, it occurs that i never had free will and it’s my duty to sing along. definitive fun moment: when they sing it occapella, duh.
new birth ― got to get a knutt (1972)
songs that have a cast of characters are perfect for my split brain, and this one does not disappoint. across numerous incredible drum breaks, quick horn blast turns, buried sampled bits, and the overall sense that you’re getting away with something mischievous just by listening to it, “got to get a knutt” feels less like a song and more like you got invited to hang out with some wholesome weirdos for a few minutes. there’s so much nonsense going on here, i friggin` love it! definitive fun moment: “if you’re still wondering, I’M STILL FLICKING A BITCH.”
fred+jb's ― more peas full take (1972)
the full 13 minute take, gosh darnit. i did establish some rules for myself with this and limit myself to one song per artist. so i’m totally cheating here, obviously. oh well, having too much fun to care! definitive fun moment: handclaps+bass break. literal moment in rhythmic history imo.
pointer sisters ― chainey-do (1975)
the tempo picks up through the course of the running length here, so get ready to meet chainey. four words for you: layered fuzz wah tablas. you have fun with that, because i sure do. definitive fun moment: trying to keep the groove during the percussion break so you hit the chorus with full force when they come back in.
breakwater ― release the beast (1980)
daft punk knew, but they forgot about the buildup. yeah, the riff roolz but HEY! EVERYBODY GET UP!!! definitive fun moment: big sigh. it’s still the riff. alltimer.
curtis mayfield ― toot an`toot an`toot (1981)
I AM NOT A MATURE PERSON. definitive fun moment: I APOLOGIZE TO CURTIS MAYFIELD’S SPIRIT AND LEGACY
frankie smith ― double dutch bus original 12” mix (1981)
another brilliant cast of characters in this one, and a song about walking as well! really love how much rapport he seems to have with everyone along the way. definitive fun moment: MUH GIZ-ZURL.
michael jackson ― wanna be startin` somethin` (1982)
probably the favorite to win this poll. imagine if this was his signature song lol. definitive fun moment: HEEE-HAAAWW!!!!! (duh)
public enemy ― you're gonna get yours reanimated tx version (1992)
went for the remix/dub version from greatest misses for one simple reason: you just don’t get many opportunities for 4 minute air turntabling routines. yeah you can do air guitar, air bass, air drums, even air horns with most pop songs, but not many chances to get your inner scratch nerd out. definitive fun moment: intermittently big bassline ftw.
fishmans ― walking in the rhythm shinjuku-version 2 mix (1997)
a truly immersive kankyo ongaku experience, this takes their `97 mission statement and throws it into another dimension entirely. less remix, more storybook. definitive fun moment: 6:36, but it won’t make any sense unless you traverse the previous 6:35.
j-live ― them that's not (2000)
follow the story, rap along, try to keep track of the tempo, and then it literally loops back on itself… just a complete meal of a song for me. definitive fun moment: “once upon a time there was a brother named castro.”
da one away ― trash da junk (2001)
no clue who this group is. first heard this on the infamous madlib kcrw chocolate city radio show from 2001. i suppose this is a good time to reiterate: polyrhythms are fun. definitive fun moment: when the bassline finally sorts itself out around 2:30.
vote with your heart and have fun!
― austinato (Austin), Tuesday, 19 August 2025 17:02 (three days ago)