15 Funk & R&B Classics That Still Hold Up
The '80s were a golden era for funk, soul, and R&B. Synths, slapping basslines, smooth vocals—it all came together in a sound that still resonates.
These 15 tracks prove it. Whether you’re rediscovering them or never stopped playing them, they’re as iconic as ever.
00:00 - 01 - Loose Ends - Hangin' On A String (1985)
03:58 - 02 - The S.O.S Band - Just Be Good To Me (1983)
07:15 - 03 - Imagination - Just an Illusion (1982)
11:19 - 04 - The Gap Band - Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me) (1980)
14:49 - 05 - Atlantic Starr - Circles (1986)
18:30 - 06 - Midnight Star - Operator (1984)
24:20 - 07 - D Train - You're the One for Me (1981)
28:50 - 08 - Kashif - I Just Gotta Have You (1983)
33:15 - 09 - Howard Johnson - So Fine (1982)
37:10 - 10 - Tom Browne - Funkin' for Jamaica (1980)
41:04 - 11 - George Benson - Give Me the Night (1980)
44:20 - 12 - Michael Jackson - Rock with You (1980)
47:45 - 13 - Heatwave - Lettin' It Loose (1982)
52:28 - 14 - Luther Vandross - Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl) (1982)
55:45 - 15 - Instant Funk - I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl) (1979)
The '80s were a golden era for funk, soul, and R&B. Synths, slapping basslines, smooth vocals—it all came together in a sound that still resonates.
These 15 tracks prove it. Whether you’re rediscovering them or never stopped playing them, they’re as iconic as ever.
00:00 - 01 - Loose Ends - Hangin' On A String (1985)
03:58 - 02 - The S.O.S Band - Just Be Good To Me (1983)
07:15 - 03 - Imagination - Just an Illusion (1982)
11:19 - 04 - The Gap Band - Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me) (1980)
14:49 - 05 - Atlantic Starr - Circles (1986)
18:30 - 06 - Midnight Star - Operator (1984)
24:20 - 07 - D Train - You're the One for Me (1981)
28:50 - 08 - Kashif - I Just Gotta Have You (1983)
33:15 - 09 - Howard Johnson - So Fine (1982)
37:10 - 10 - Tom Browne - Funkin' for Jamaica (1980)
41:04 - 11 - George Benson - Give Me the Night (1980)
44:20 - 12 - Michael Jackson - Rock with You (1980)
47:45 - 13 - Heatwave - Lettin' It Loose (1982)
52:28 - 14 - Luther Vandross - Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl) (1982)
55:45 - 15 - Instant Funk - I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl) (1979)
Tracklist
| 1 | Hangin' On A String by Loose Ends |
| 2 | Just Be Good To Me by The S.O.S Band |
| 3 | Just an Illusion by Imagination |
| 4 | Burn Rubber On Me by The Gap Band |
| 5 | Circles by Atlantic Starr |
| 6 | Operator by Midnight Star |
| 7 | You're the One for Me by D Train |
| 8 | I Just Gotta Have You by Kashif |
| 9 | So Fine by Howard Johnson |
| 10 | Funkin' for Jamaica by Tom Browne |
| 11 | Give Me the Night by George Benson |
| 12 | Rock with You by Michael Jackson |
| 13 | Lettin' It Loose by Heatwave |
| 14 | Sugar and Spice by Luther Vandross |
| 15 | I Got My Mind Made Up by Instant Funk |
Awesome
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Great
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