22 Songs For Everyone Who Loves Old School Joints

Let's be honest, you don't listen to any song after 2001 and that's your right!

1. "Never Too Much" by Luthor Vandross

Epic Records

Date released: 1981

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: This is a blassic (black classic), but your folks will be ecstatic and chanting "That's my song!" while they do the two-step in their living room.

2. "Outstanding" by The Gap Band

UMG Records

Date released: 1982

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: A cookout staple you, your aunties, and your cousins will be dancing to, it's just that good. It's a song you can obviously do an electric slide to, no matter your proficiency.

3. "She's Always In My Hair" by Prince

NPG Records

Date released: 1985

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Anything Prince ever released was a bop and he knew it, but this joint right here does something to you every time. Maybe it's the guitar and the synths, maybe it's just Prince bragging that this girl (you) love him so damn much you'll go through everything with him, but whatever it is, it slaps. Plus, you can sing along to the damn thing, which earns extra points. When Prince said "Maybe I'll marry her, maybe I won't," I felt that. The power.

4. "(I Know) I'm Losing You" by The Temptations

UMG Recordings

Date released: 1967

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Basically Jimmy Ruffin didn't have to go that hard, but he did and for that, we will always thank him. This was peak soul music, and every other boy band has tried to compare (not even themselves, I know you know the Temptations history, we've all seen the biopic), but just could not measure up. Your grandfather probably played this when your grandmother was sick of his shit and really didn't know what to do. Your mother took up the tradition for your pops, and now you listen to it not even understanding why you vibe with it so much. This is a blassic you play in the living room on Thanksgiving, and I know I'm being specific, but I'm absolutely right; fight me.

5. "Between The Sheets" by The Isley Brothers

Sony Music Entertainment

Date released: 1983

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: It's a sensual bop your parents probably played when it was time for them to get frisky, and let's not forget the transition of "I like the way you relieve me," or just the production, in general, that has been sampled multiple times, like when Biggie used it in "Big Poppa" back in '94, or Jay-Z later on in "Ignorant Shit" on his American Gangster album. A classic, indeed.

6. "Fire and Desire" by Rick James and Teena Marie

Motown Records

Date released: 1981

Throwback level: 🕰 🕰 🕰/5

Why it's dope: Who doesn't want to hear a classic ballad by two singing legends? Not to be vulgar, but it's Rick James, bitch and he came to slay and along with Teena Marie the song is absolute FIRE (and desire). You see what I did there?

7. "Candy Rain" by Soul For Real

Geffen Records

Date released: 1994

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: We love a '90s jam and well, Soul For Real truly did do that. I sure do dream of candy-covered raindrops when I'm thinking of my crush, how did you know? And I know all of you know the dance that went with it. Iconic music video we'll always be thinking of.

8. "Can We Talk" by Tevin Campbell

Warner Brothers

Date released: 1992

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Tevin Campbell really did do that for all the people pining over their crush, but with the classic slowish slow jam track, you'll wanna sway while finally confessing your love in a dramatic fashion.

9. "Weak" by SWV

BMG

Date released: 1992

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: This joint right here all black girls were born knowing the lyrics to. You know I'm right and you're gonna try hard to fight it, but there's no way you can deny it. This song is so sweet it knocks you off your feet.

10. "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume

Sony Music

Date released: 1983

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: This right here, boy. It's so good. Almost better than the actual Juicy Fruit gum you used to chew on as a kid, PLUS it was sampled by the legendary Biggie Smalls so we '90s kids automatically stan.

11. "Roni" by Bobby Brown

MCA Records

Date released: 1988

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Well, well, well this was Bobby Brown at his prime. When he still had a six pack. Before the horrible reality show of the '00s he was a snack and he wanted you to know that you were ALSO a snack. Let's all sit back and reminisce on Bobby's straight sex appeal while we jam to this joint.

12. "You Give Good Love" by Whitney Houston

Artista Records

Date released: 1985

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Off her debut album, this song is more smooth and soulful than the pop hits "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" or "How Will I Know." As soon as the synth chords hit at the beginning you are immediately transported to Whitney's greatness.

13. "Caught Up In The Rapture" by Anita Baker

Elektra Records

Date released: 1986

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: The smoky, whiskey vocals of Anita Baker is honestly a gift every damn time and "Caught Up In The Rapture" is a number one example. The fact that she compares love to religion is absolutely hit-worthy.

14. "The Makings Of You" by Curtis Mayfield

Warner Strategic Marketing

Date released: 1970

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Rappers love to sample this joint right here and for good reason. Curtis Mayfield is a genius. The dreamy instrumentals and the smooth vocals really do make you want to nod your head and think of better days.

15. "All I Do" by Stevie Wonder

Motown Records

Date released: 1980

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Everyone needs to hear an upbeat love song from time to time and obviously Stevie Wonder has definitely got you covered. The fact that he sings (so beautifully I might add) about how he can't stop thinking about his boo is old school jam-worthy and you know it.

16. "Rock Steady" by Aretha Franklin

Atlantic Records

Date released: 1972

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Miss Aretha Franklin really was the queen of soul for a reason and well, "Rock Steady" was that reason. The organ opening in the beginning makes you wanna get up and dance, and so does your grandmother. Just make sure she doesn't break a hip trying to do the bump. Be careful, now.

17. "Try A Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding

Atlantic Records

Date released: 1967

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Usually a Christmas staple, "Try A Little Tenderness" really should be an every season old school staple. With the raw lyrics and those horns you'll instantly be in your feelings.

18. "Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus and Chaka Khan

UMG Records

Date released: 1974

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: This track is so sexy and honestly I still don't know if I'm grown enough to listen to it straight through, but either way it slaps! Written by the awesome Stevie Wonder, no wonder it's a funk anthem you'll want to grind on with your honey while dinner is cooking.

19. "Love And Happiness" by Al Green

Hi Records

Date released: 1972

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: Ok, now you know damn well the classic goes OFF and for good reason. With Al Green's smoky, raspy falsetto and the backing guitar riff, it just makes every black person within the immediate vicinity joyful AF. It's featured in every damn black movie for that reason.

20. "Got To Give It Up" by Marvin Gaye

Motown Records

Date released: 1977

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: While a true blassic (black classic), Marvin Gaye was actually under immense pressure to actually make a disco track in the first place, and what he came up with was complete and utter magic. The original version of this song is over 11 minutes of dance material you and your parents can get down to.

21. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye

Motown Records

Date released: 1970

Throwback level: 🕰🕰🕰🕰🕰/5

Why it's dope: The ultimate throwback and it really doesn't need any explanation as to why it's so awesome.

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BuzzFeed / Ellie Sunakawa