…deemphasizes melody and chord progressions and focuses on a strong rhythmic groove of a bassline played by an electric bassist and a drum part played by a percussionist, often at slower tempos than other popular music. Funk typically consists of a complex percussive groove with rhythm instruments playing interlocking grooves that create a "hypnotic" and "danceable" feel. It uses the same richly colored extended chords found in bebop jazz, such as minor chords with added sevenths and elevenths, and dominant seventh chords with altered ninths and thirteenths.

When I was younger, I was more into head-banging, ’70s rock, but developed an appreciation for some funky songs as I got a little older. Even today, in my mid-60s, I get out the funk every now and then.

Here are six of my favorites, in no particular order – except for the last funky song, for reasons I’ll explain.

Kool and the Gang – Jungle Boogie (1973): This is a fun one, once used by the BBC to provide a wonderful musical accompaniment to game-cam videos of bears scratching themselves on trees. This song hammers and chugs, and if you’re on the dance floor while it’s playing, it’s going to make you sweat.

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See Also: Start Your Weekend Right With Six Groovy Songs From 1968

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Earth, Wind & Fire – September (1978): Earth, Wind & Fire had a style all their own, exemplified in “September.” It’s upbeat, it’s fun, it paints a brilliant picture of the end of summer and the first cool nights of early autumn. The smooth vocals and the flow of the instruments work together brilliantly.

The O’Jays – Love Train (1973): This is an interesting one, a song from over fifty years ago that was optimistic about race relations, not only in the United States but all over the world. It describes the Love Train, going all around the world, to England and China, to Egypt and Israel, welcoming everyone from everywhere on board. No ticket required. You just don’t hear that message all that much today, sadly. I’m sure liberals will find some way to blame white racists.James Brown - Give It Up or Turnit a Loose (1970): You just can’t mention funk without James Brown. The hardest-working man in show business produced more great songs than we can count, in addition to being the godfather of funk, which he reportedly called “James Brown music.” He wasn’t modest, but then, it ain’t bragging if you can do it.

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See Also: Start Your Black Friday Weekend Right With Five Great Songs From the Sixties

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Donna Summer – Hot Stuff (1979): Donna Summer was best known for her disco (ugh) music, but this song showed off not only her pipes, and she had a set, but also that she could get down and get funky with the best of them. “Hot Stuff” took a little disco and added a big old dose of funk, and it worked.

And, finally and funkinally:

Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music (1976): I was in high school when this came out, and I remember my friends and I singing loudly along with it while careening around northeast Iowa, kicking up dust. It was a huge hit, a mix of rock and funk, with a great guitar lead and a beat that was made for a dance floor. It’s still one of my favorites, which is why I left it for last.

Also, I don't drive around singing anymore, not after the World Health Organization declared my singing voice to be a threat to the public's health and well-being, not to mention sanity.

So, lay down and boogie, and play that funky music ‘til you die.

Any funky favorites of your own? The funky comments are all yours!