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Writer's pictureAsh L. Scipio

Cookout Music Essentials


1. "Square Biz" - Teena Marie

Don't tell me y'all weren't s h o o k when y'all figured out that Ms. Teena is, in fact, not the black lady you imagined singing this.


https://youtu.be/o9wotiDai5U


2. "Never Too Much" - Luther Vandross

Luther makes every playlist. Date night? Put on some Luther. Party? Put on some Luther. Cookout? Put on that Luther "Never Too Much".


https://youtu.be/pNj9bXKGOiI


3. "I Like It" - DeBarge

Those who really know me, know my love for the DeBarge family and their endless hits.


https://youtu.be/VqaKisKIyUo


4. "There'll Never Be" - Switch

Whew, a bop.


https://youtu.be/HkADoYdKt-Q


5. "Ain't Nobody" - Chaka Khan

Sis is a living legend STILL making new good music!


https://youtu.be/-Ro8-ngA8gs


6. "Return of the Mack" - Mark Morrison

Everybody gotta stop what they're doing and dance with this one!


https://youtu.be/C-5nist-qeQ


7. "Every Little Step" - Bobby Brown

This is that "lemme hit a slight two step in my seat" bop.


https://youtu.be/P0FKzPfsxA4


8. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" - Michael Jackson

A cookout playlist without MJ? Unheard of.


https://youtu.be/1ZZQuj6htF4


9. "Before I Let Go" - Frankie Beverly & Maze

If your cookout playlist doesn't have this song (THIS version, not the new Beyoncé one), it aint a cookout playlist,


https://youtu.be/Rbj15Zlh-Ag


10. "Candy" - Cameo

This is that song everybody gets up and dances to with a chicken wing in one hand and their plate in the other.


https://youtu.be/WkOUCOIk_-o


11. "Get Down On It" - Kool & The Gang

"You don't know nothin' bout this, nephew!"


https://youtu.be/2xJWQPdG7jE


12. "I Wanna Be Your Lover" - Prince

That "I aint got no money" line is what we hear when somebody don't wanna bring nothing to the cookout.


https://youtu.be/Rp8WL621uGM


13. "Cool It Now" - New Edition

New Edition will make any playlist. 🙌🏽


https://youtu.be/RZUq6N7Gx1c


14. "Love and Happiness" - Al Green

This is when it's time to go because the drunk uncle woke up from his nap and started dancing.


https://youtu.be/sCXEtvbJkkY


15. "I'd Rather Be With You" - Bootsy Collins

Another drunk uncle anthem.


https://youtu.be/0tgYr03o3dE


16. Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

THE one and only summertime anthem!


https://youtu.be/Kr0tTbTbmVA


17. "Jump On It" - Sugar Hill Gang

Every time I hear this, I think of that "Fresh Prince" episode. So here’s the scene from the episode. 😂


https://youtu.be/fV5TZyUMVsM


18, "Fire & Desire" - Rick James and Teena Marie

When that drunk Aunt and Uncle decide that "you don't know nun about this".


https://youtu.be/CPikYsi6_zU


19. "Ring My Bell" - Anita Ward

The pure Auntie in me lives for this song.


https://youtu.be/4_68RwJyzkA


20. "Mary Jane" - Rick James

When you and your cousins say y'all going to the store but y'all really... nevermind.


https://youtu.be/PrPNwLuk0zQ


21. "Got To Be Real" - Cheryl Lynn

Ms. Lynn has bops for DAYS!


https://youtu.be/tlCC1XojRzM


22. "Do I Do" - Stevie Wonder

That breakdown on "Yes, I got some honey kisses..." is the truth!


https://youtu.be/bQEBZfG5SaY


23. "A Night to Remember" - Shalamar

Fun fact: Member Jeffrey Daniels is forever legendary not only for his vocals but also his choreography. He created the moonwalk and taught it to MJ.


https://youtu.be/-_lx5GAiUDc


24. "Love Come Down" - Evelyn "Champagne" King

Do do do do do do do do do d-doooooo!


https://youtu.be/CbFiRZM8hhI


25. "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)"

Long song title, but a bop! Who else thinks of "Big Momma's House" when they hear this?


https://youtu.be/6QIw1BQIvT4


And that's it! That's the playlist! Honorable mentions are:

"If This World Were Mine" - Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn

"Computer Love" - Zapp & Roger

"Outstanding" - The Gap Band

"I Need Your Lovin'" - Teena Marie

"The Bird" - The Time

"September" - Earth, Wind & Fire

"We Are Family" - Sister Sledge

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