I’m a lover of many things “old school.” I watch old school shows and listen primarily to old school music. And I don’t mean just the 80’s “old school.” I mean, old school.
See, back in the day my mother used to have these things called “card parties.” You may or may not know what I’m speaking of if you were born after 1981. During the card parties, they’d play old, which was current for them, music. Whether it was listening to Herb Kent on the radio (for all my Chicago radio peeps) or playing records, music was the back drop of those card parties. Yes, records. Albums, to be exact.
For today’s old school installment, I want to talk some of my favorite old school songs. Now, this list could go on and on, but I’m going to attempt to stop at 25 30. And these are in no particular order, because that would take days, or weeks. And I also limited myself to 1980 and prior, with no repeat artists unless part of a duet. REALLY tough, especially because of my love for Lionel Richie, but here goes!
Lisa’s Old School Hit List
- Sara Smile, Hall & Oates
- Float On, The Floaters
- Oh What a Night for Dancing, Barry White
- Love Ballad, L.T.D.
- Knocks Me Off My Feet, Stevie Wonder
- Lost Inside of You, One Way (ft. Al Hudson)
- Never Can Say Goodbye, Jackson 5
- I’ll Never Love This Way Again, Dionne Warwick
- Sailing, Christopher Cross
- Love X Love, George Benson
- If I Can’t Have You, Yvonne Elliman
- Stairway to Heaven, O’Jays
- Then Came You, Spinners & Dionne Warwick
- You Know How to Love Me, Phyllis Hyman
- What You Won’t Do for Love, Bobby Caldwell
- This Time I’ll Be Sweeter, Angela Bofill
- It’s Gonna Take A Miracle, Deniece Williams
- Let Me Be Your Angel, Stacy Lattisaw
- Our Love, Natalie Cole
- Am I Dreaming, Atlantic Starr
- Close the Door, Teddy Pendergrass
- Zoom, Commodores
- Would You Mind, Earth, Wind & Fire
- Show & Tell, Al Wilson
- Young Hearts Run Free, Candi Staton
- A Love of Your Own, Average White Band
- Don’t Ask My Neighbors, Emotions
- Reunited, Peaches & Herb
- Strawberry Letter 23, The Brothers Johnson
- Sweet Thing, Rufus and Chaka Khan
Yes, I know – most of them are ballads. And, I know I’m missing A LOT of hits. (Like, a lot.) Maybe I’ll do one more list from 1980 through 1990. Why not share some of your favorites in the comments?
Love it!!!!!
That’s saying a lot coming from you!!
Thanks Lisa!
Clearly you were in the ballads. It’s all good. I still get a little tug at the heart when I hear Zoom. I can’t help it…
Oh my goodness! Lionel is one of my ABSOLUTE favorites. And I remember having the Commodores album and playing Zoom ALL the time. I was close to picking “Just to be Close to You” because of the soliloquy at the beginning. “You’re my heart, you’re my soul…you’re my stroooooong inspiration, Baby. That’s why I’m standing here, singing and opening my arms to you…”