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