Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, making this weekend the perfect time to fire up the grill, put some drinks on ice and get grilling with your friends and family. But everyone knows you can’t have a good cookout without a banging playlist, so while you’re thinking about the menu, you’re also going to need to think about the music.
But rather than shuffling through a random playlist on your favorite music streaming service, why not curate your own set that you won’t have to skip through?
Suggested Reading
You never know who may show up to your cookout, but this playlist is sure to get everybody moving. If you’ve never seen your mean uncle bust a move before, these songs might just do the trick.
Got a favorite cookout song you want to add? Tell us in the comments.
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” - Michael Jackson
It’s hard to say which one of Michael Jackson’s albums was his best, but Off the Wall is definitely up there. And “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” is one of the funkiest tracks of all.
“Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby” - The O’Jays
Sampled by Big Pun on “I’m Not A Player,” the O’Jays 1976 hit “Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby” still hits today.
“Before I Let Go” - Maze Ft. Frankie Beverly
No disrespect, Beyoncé, but I’ll take Franke Beverly’s version of “Before I Let Go” any day.
“Love Thang” - First Choice
First Choice, a ‘70s girl group from Philly, was known for their dance hits which inspired much of the house music that would become popular decades later, like “Love Thang.”
“Just a Touch of Love” - Slave
There’s something about the bass on Slave’s “Just a Touch of Love” that makes you want to dance.
“Running Away” - Roy Ayers
You can’t have a funk playlist without at least one track from Roy Ayers. And at almost 7 minutes long, dancing to “Running Away” will burn some serious calories.
“We Got The Funk” - Positive Force
Positive Force didn’t have a lot of hits, but they’ll always be remembered for their funk classic “We Got The Funk,” released on Sugarhill Records in 1979.
“Outstanding” - Gap Band
“Outstanding” was one of the biggest hits on the Gap Band’s 1982 platinum-selling album Gap Band IV.
“And the Beat Goes On” - The Whispers
Before there was New Edition, there were The Whispers, who have been doing their thing since the ‘60s, and “And the Beat Goes On” is one their classic funk hits. The dance moves in the video are everything.
“Square Biz” - Teena Marie
Teena Marie was one of the funkiest white girls in the game and “Square Biz” is undeniably one of the hits we’ll never stop dancing to.
“Nights (Feel Like Gettin’ Down) - Billy Ocean
You may remember him for “Caribbean Queen,” but “Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)“ is arguably one of Billy Ocean’s most danceable tracks.
“I Want to Thank You” by Alicia Myers
The first lead singer of the group One Way, Alicia Meyers’ vocals are undeniable on her R&B hit, “I Want to Thank You.”
“One Nation Under a Groove” - Funkadelic
When it comes to funk, you can’t beat George Clinton and Funkadelic.
“Get Down On It” - Kool & The Gang
When Kool & The Gang asks, “What you wanna do? You wanna get down?” you can’t say no!
Straight From 
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