Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, which means it’s time to fire up the grill, make the potato salad and put your drinks on ice for the first cookout of the season. But while you’re getting your menu together, you can’t forget the music. Because you can’t dance, play spades or talk trash without a dope soundtrack in the background.
Suggested Reading
If you need a little inspiration, check out some of the songs we’re adding to our Memorial Day cookout playlist.
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” by 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.
“Hey Mr. D.J.” by Zhané
Zhané’s hit “Hey Mr. DJ” is song that will make everyone want to move.
“Got to Give it Up - Pt. 1" by Marvin Gaye
If you’re looking for a song that will get Grandma out of her seat, Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give it Up” is it. But be warned, if you put this song on, someone will start the electric slide.
“Running Away” by Roy Ayers
At almost seven minutes long, Roy Ayers’ funky single “Running Away” is just the song you need to burn off those cookout calories.
“Before I Let Go” by Maze ft. Frankie Beverly
Frankie Beverly and Maze’s 1981 hit “Before I Let Go” is the unofficial barbecue/family reunion anthem. So it has to have a place on your cookout playlist.
“Just a Touch of Love” by Slave
Even if you weren’t around in the summer of 1979 when Slave’s hit “Just a Touch of Love” came out, you’ll find it hard not to dance to the song’s insane baseline.
“Square Biz” by Tina Marie
Ok, so Tina Marie wasn’t Black. But she definitely deserves an invitation to the cookout. Her hit “Square Biz” still goes hard over 40 years after its 1980 release. She even raps on the track!
“Dance Tonight” by Lucy Pearl
Lucy Pearl was a supergroup made up of former EnVogue member Dawn Robinson, Toni! Tony! Toné! alum Raphael Saadiq and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest. Their 2000 single “Dance Tonight” from the Love and Basketball soundtrack was their biggest hit.
“Doo Wop (That Thing)“ by Lauryn Hill
There’s a reason why The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is on most music lovers’ all-time favorite album lists. The album’s lead single, “Doo Wop (That Thing)“ is a big one.
“Get Me Bodied” by Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s “Get Me Bodied” is the perfect song to get you ready for all of your Memorial Day weekend parties.
“We Got the Funk” by 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.
“Love Like This” by Faith Evans
The sample of Chic’s 1978 classic “Chic Cheer” and Faith Evans’ vocals make her 1998 hit “Love Like This” one of the hottest R&B tracks of all time.
“Family Affair” by Mary J. Blige
If your Memorial Day cookout is a family affair, you have to play Mary J. Blige’s hit for all of your aunties, cousins and play cousins.
“Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)“ by 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.
“After Party” by Koffee Brown
Everybody knows that after the party it’s the after party. And there’s no better song to get you hyped for whatever is next than Koffee Brown’s 2001 hit.
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