12 of the All-Time Greatest Funk Songs

1982 - "Atomic Dog" by George Clinton

Why must I feel like that? 
Why must I chase the cat?...
Bow wow wow, yippe yo yippe yay 

Unforgettable lyrics from the 1982 George Clinton classic, "Atomic Dog."

Clinton hit number one on the Billboard R&B chart for the first time as a solo artist in 1982 with "Atomic Dog" from his debut solo album, Computer Games. The classic has been sampled dozens of times, including songs by Prince, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur,  Dr. Dre, Nas, Aaliyah. Ice Cube, and Snoop Dogg.

1980 - "More Bounce to the Ounce" by Zapp

Released in 1980 as the debut single from the group Zapp led by Roger Troutman, "More Bounce To The Ounce" became popular again a decade later due to heavy sampling by numerous rap acts, including EPMD and the Notorious BIG. This was one of the first hits to utilize a "talk box" which modifies the sound of a musical instrument by singing through a microphone. Bootsy Collins co-produced the song which reached number two on the Billboard R&B chart.

1969 - "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" by Sly & the Family Stone

From Sly & the Family Stone's 1970 Greatest Hits album, "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" was the group's second single to reach the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. It was the number one R&B song for five weeks. The song features the ingenious bass line created by the legendary Larry Graham.

1978 - "Flash Light" by Parliament

From Parliament's 1977 Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome album, "Flashlight" reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart. It was their second million-selling single. This is another timeless funk classic which has endured for generations due to constant sampling.

1978 - "One Nation Under a Groove" by Funkadelic

Grooving your way to freedom is the theme of this song, as evidenced by George Clinton's lyrics: Here's my chance to dance my way out of my constrictions. The title song of Funkadelic's 1978 One Nation Under A Groove album became the group's first number one hit on the Billboard R&B chart. It was the group's first million-selling single. 

1968 - "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" by James Brown

Released in August 1968, four months following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" became an anthem of the civil rights movement. It remained at number one for six weeks on the Billboard R&B chart and symbolized James Brown's reverence as "Soul Brother Number One." It was his first recording to feature trombonist Fred Wesley.

1971 - "Rock Steady" by Aretha Franklin

The Queen of Soul proved she knew how to funk with "Rock Steady." From Aretha Franklin's 1972 Young, Gifted and Black album, "Rock Steady" became her twelfth gold single. Franklin composed the song which featured Donny Hathaway on piano.

1981 - "Super Freak" by Rick James

From the 1981 triple platinum Street Songs album, "Super Freak." became Rick James' signature tune. It reached number one on the Billboard Dance chart, featuring background vocals by The Temptations. Nine years later, it became the basis for MC Hammer's iconic hit "U Can't Touch This," and James won a Grammy for Best R&B Song in 1991 as its composer.

1979 - "(Not Just) Knee Deep," by Funkadelic

George Clinton earned his nickname "Dr. Funkenstein" by composing producing funk classics such as "(Not Just) Knee Deep" by Funkadelic. It became the group's second number one hit on the Billboard R&B chart. The original version on the Uncle Jam Wants You album is a funkafied 15 minutes long.

1976 - "Get Up Offa That Thing" by James Brown

The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, was also the Godfather of Funk. This song is a remedy for anyone suffering from nervous tension, as he sings:

Get up offa that thing
and dance 'til you feel better,
get up offa that thing
and try to release that pressure.

Brown released "Get Up Offa that Thing" in 1976 as a two-part single. It reached number four on the R&B chart and was his biggest hit during the mid to late 1970s. 

1972 - "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is not known as a Funk artist, but he proved he knows how to get down and groove with his 1972 classic, "Superstition." Wonder composed, produced and recorded "Superstition" when he was 22 years old, creating a new sound with his innovative use of synthesizers, live drumming and guitar work.

Wonder received two Grammy Awards for "Superstition" from his 1972 album, Talking Book. He won Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male and Best Rhythm and Blues Song. "Superstition" was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts.

1973 - "Jungle Boogie" by Kool and the Gang

From Kool and the Gang's fourth album, Wild and Peaceful in 1973, "Jungle Boogie" was the band's breakthrough hit, reaching number two on the Billboard R&B chart, and number four on the Hot 100. Billboard ranked it as the number 12 song of 1974. "Jungle Boogie" has been sampled numerous times, including in The Beastie Boys' "Hey Ladies" (1989), Madonna's "Erotica" (1992), and Janet Jackson's "You Want This" (1994). The song was also featured in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction.

Edited by Ken Simmons on March 27, 2016