Following on from my jazz playlist I’ve got a new 30-track playlist for one of my favourite and most listened to genres of music…funk. This is the second post in my twelve-part series ’30 Best . . . Tracks That You Need To Listen To’. In each post I take you through a specific genre of music varying from jazz to soul to new wave. This time I’ve picked out 30 of the best funk tracks that you seriously need to listen to.
A Very Brief History Of Funk Music
Like jazz, funk music originated in African-American communities, however it came about in the mid ‘60s. When it comes to its style, funk can be characterised as being rhythmic and danceable. It brings together soul, jazz and blues and focuses on a strong groovy bassline and drum beat. A few sub genres of funk include psychedelic funk, avant funk (like Talking Head for example) and funk metal. And a lot of hip hop music that we hear today will often use samples of older funk music. Which is one of my favourite things to spot in music.
If you want to do some of your own reading about funk music as a genre then you can check out the full wiki page here.
30 Best Funk Tracks That You Need To Listen To Now: The Playlist
My Favourites from the Playlist…
I have to admit that choosing a few favourites is bloody difficult! Although…that being said, one of my all time favourite songs is definitely Earth, Wind & Fire’s Let’s Groove which, if you haven’t listened to it before, should be the first one you give a listen! As it says in the title, this song just makes you want to get up and have a little dance. Pretty much Earth, Wind & Fire’s entire discography has that kind of effect. Another favourite is Tim Maia’s O Caminho Do Bem. This is one of my go-to tracks for walking to. It’s got the kind of beat that just makes you feel like an absolute boss when you listen to it.
If I had to choose a final favourite it’d be Luther Vandross and his song Never Too Much. I’ve been a fan of this song for years and I’m sure it’ll be one that a lot of you will already know. Again it has that get-up-and-dance effect on me, as most funk songs do! Honestly I think I could go through every song on this playlist and describe how much I love it. But don’t worry, I’ll spare you the details!
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What are your thoughts on funk music? Have you listened to much funk music before? Let me know. If you have anymore suggestions of funk artists that I should give a listen to then drop them in the comments. I’m always looking for new artists to discover so send them my way! And if you haven’t had the chance to check out my jazz playlist then head over and give it a listen.
Female Original
*Photography by Surya Urs via Unsplash
Read next: 30 Best Tracks From Musicals That You Need To Listen To Now
February 7, 2019
I’ve no idea if Bees Gees can be considered funk in any way (I kinda feel like they definitely have some funky bops), so if they count, then I listen to funk alllll the time haha. I do love Earth, Wind, and Fire, and I need to definitely expand and listen to more music within this genre! xx
February 8, 2019
Agreed, I love the Bee Gees! I’m definitely planning to feature them later on in the year X
February 9, 2019
I have never listened to Funk music before so your playlist gives me a place to start. My friend loves funk, blues and jazz, I think these are such classy genres! Quite surprised to be honest because most people these days listen to Pop Music, so seeing a blog post about a funk playlist is so fun!
February 10, 2019
Aw thank you so much! I’m hoping to learn more about music every month and get my readers involved in it too so it’s great to hear that you’re thinking of giving funk a listen 🙂 x
February 9, 2019
Thanks for sharing. A great way to find new music!
Mx
February 10, 2019
Glad you enjoyed it! x
February 9, 2019
I love this! I can’t wait to see next months genre. 🙂
February 10, 2019
Aw thanks! I can’t wait to share it 🙂 x
February 9, 2019
What an awesome playlist. I am not really familiar with funk music, maybe because I just listen to anything that is on my Spotify. I adding your playlist to my Spotify playlists!
February 10, 2019
Thank you so much! Hopefully it might help you discover a bit more about the genre 🙂 x
February 9, 2019
What an excellent idea for a monthly post!! I love the idea of sharing music – especially as it’s often how I find out about new songs or suddenly remember an old favourite.
Can’t wait for March! X
February 10, 2019
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’m having so much fun making the playlists so it’s lovely to hear that people are liking them 🙂 x
February 9, 2019
This is such a nice post and I actually don’t know a lot of the songs listed! I’ll definitely listen to them tonight so thanks for the music inspo xx
February 10, 2019
Hopefully you’ll like some of the songs I’ve featured! Thank you 🙂 x
February 9, 2019
First of all, love the idea for the series! I’ve not really ever listened to funk, apart from a bit of Daddy Cool now and then. I’m sure I’ll give this playlist a go and get back to you on how I found it. Thanks a lot for taking the time to make a playlist.
February 10, 2019
Daddy Cool is a classic haha. Definitely let me know what you thought of it if you do give it a listen! It’d be cool to see if funk could be a genre you enjoy 🙂 x
February 10, 2019
I don’t think Funk is something I ever really listen to but I love finding new music to listen to so I’ll definitely check out your playlist.
February 10, 2019
Maybe you’ll be surprised and like the genre! Let me know your thoughts if you do give it a listen 🙂 x
February 10, 2019
I love funk music. It’s so groovy 😀 The Isley Brothers is definitely one of my favourites. And James Brown. And Betty Davis! I can’t choose 😀
February 10, 2019
Love this post Faye! Can’t wait to read next months x
February 11, 2019
Thank you! I’m looking forward to sharing it 🙂 x
February 10, 2019
I loved the January post in this series! I have to admit that funk isn’t something I know an awful lot about/ listen to a lot so I imagine most of this will be pretty new to me. Definitely going to give your playlist a listen at some point this week and try to educate myself a little x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
February 11, 2019
Aw I’m so glad to hear that you’ve enjoyed the series so far! You never know, you might end up loving funk music by the end of the month x
February 11, 2019
This is a fun blog series, I love hearing new music. I’m adding your playlist to Spotify, thanks!
February 11, 2019
Thank you! I hope you enjoy listening to it x
February 15, 2019
Earth, Wind & Fire are my jam! This playlist is absolutely fabulous, you’ve inspired me to look up some new music this month!
Cyn
cynspo.com
February 19, 2019
They have so many great songs! Glad I could help you discover some new music 🙂 x
February 16, 2019
Loved this post! I don’t listen to much funk, but this playlist is such a good start!
February 19, 2019
Thank you! Hopefully it’ll help you learn a bit more about funk music x
February 22, 2019
Ah, it would seem that we have very similar music tastes – I love Earth Wind Fire! Your blog is lovely. 🙂
Nic
February 22, 2019
Thank you so much! X