FROM THE DESK OF MR. LUCRACK: This has been the most challenging "Top" list yet. We could have easily made it top 50. This playlist is made up of songs that embody the spirit of DC. No genres have been excluded, but as you may imagine, this list is Go-Go heavy and may truly include some of the best known unknowns ever. Here we go:1.) It Don't Mean a Thing by Chuck Brown- Hey, what can I say, the Godfather is a beast. Don’t even know if this is even considered a real song, but nonetheless, this catchy tune just oozes DC. Everybody knows someone that lives by the motto, "If it ain’t from the city, it ain’t right."
2.) Living for the City by Stevie Wonder- This theme song for the movie New Jack City epitomizes DC, especially with the cost of living the way it is...Just feels like you are living just enough.
3.) Sardines (and Pork & Beans) by Junkyard Band- For anyone not from the area that went to college on the east coast after '85, this was more than likely their introduction to Go-Go. People from the city will tell you that this is an actual meal when times are tight. This song was actually released on Def Jam with "The Word" and produced by legendary producer Rick Rubin.
4.) What's Going On? by Marvin Gaye- It’s as though Marvin, a DC native, was sitting in the park near 58th St., which was subsequently named in his honor, when he wrote this song. It could also be the theme song for the entire Black History Month.
5.) Rock Creek Park by The Blackbyrds – Anybody who had wheels at 16 with limited funds knew about doing it in the park, although the fun usually only lasted for a short period of time before you were chased off by those pesky park police.
6.) Lock It by R.E.- This timeless classic by the wickedest band is always a favorite. When this jam was new, it was always interesting to see the peeps "re-mixing" their own version of the Lock it.
7.) Tha Water by Northeast Groovers- This original groove screams DC. One of the very few Congo solos you could actually dance to. "Smoke you all by yourself" was great. Not to be confused with the DJ Flex sampled song "Water Dance" which became a college scene hit. BTW, was there an actual "Water Dance"?
8.) DA Butt by Experience Unlimited- This definitely may have been the second Go-Go song introduced to folks not from the area. Grammy award nominated but those not in the know do not even recognize this as Go-Go. It would take you only 20 minutes of walking around downtown DC shortly after the weather breaks to realize it is all about Da Butt in DC.
9.) Run Joe by Chuck Brown- If you are in your mid 30's, then this was probably your first record - this and that Sugar Hill Gang joint. Everybody knew somebody that could qualify as Moe or Joe...This song could be the reason why everybody is called Joe.10.) Ruff it Off by Junkyard Band- No summary needed here...If this ain’t the classic DC attitude, I don’t know what is. "Weak bamas lost cuz we ruffed ‘em off."
11.) Pusher Man by Curtis Mayfield- Ha! If you at one time or another enjoyed or partook in the sticky, then you know why this song is in the list. DC probably has more pusher men per capita than most major urban areas.
12.) Stone Cold Hustler by DC Scorpio- Hey, the names says it all. As far as another song by Scorpio, I couldn’t name one, but when it was good in the city it was good. When you were a youngin’ listenening to this song, you wanted everything he named in this song.
13.) Bustin’ Loose by Chuck Brown- Early Chuck, which released nationwide and did well, it was one of the first Go-Go songs where the horns were prominent. Thanks for all you do, Godfather..JPG)
14.) Go Hard by Junkyard- HA! How many times have you gone to a friend for advice, on a given matter, and all they could come up with is look you in the eye and shrug their shoulders and simply say, "Go Hard"...Only in DC.15.) Work the Walls by Rare Essence- If you were coming up when this song was first dropped by R.E., you would sit in front of the TV all day watching the jukebox hoping someone would order it. This song makes you think of all those asses you walked up on in the Go-Go and freaked all night.
16.) Wind me Up Chuck/Funk- I guess you could credit this song to Chuck, but I know the R.E. pundits would have something to say, so we give ‘em both credit. Could you imagine going to N.Y. in Madison Square Garden and having the entire audience chant "Wind me up Jay-Z"? I didn’t think so.
17.) 5 o'clock In The Morning by Nonchalant- Loved this song, again, couldn’t name her follow-up single but all I know this joint cranked, especially those dudes that were on this joint with her. What was their group name again? Anyway, I'd rather be a one-hit-wonder than a no-hit-wonder.
18.) In the Pocket by Tabi Bonney- A relative newcomer out of northeast DC, Tabey Boney was getting national play on a bunch of outlets with this release. Love the video, by the way. I saw something else from Tabey briefly then it went away. But anybody who loves Go-Go can appreciate a good pocket.
19.) Welcome to DC by Mambo Sauce- Hey, they were playing this song at the Nationals’ stadium, you know that gets love. Video is decent, but for as good a song this is, the band has got to do more for it to get more notoriety.
20.) The District by Dark Alley- If you don’t know about these boys, you better ask somebody. Scour your underground outlets and find a copy of this single. It just screams DC.
Just Out of the Mix:
DC Lottery Commercial (Rolling Cash Five) by Chuck Brown- Ha! It’s only a commercial but if you don’t realize this joint crank, then you are a bama. This just shows why the Godfather is the Godfather!
Welcome to DC by Tree Gotti- I know you are saying, “Who?” But doing a little research, I found them on YouTube and figured it was worth a mention. Go see for yourself then report back to DLR.
That’s it...That’s the list...Let DLR know what you have in your "DC Soundtrack" playlist. And maybe you can take the title of "The iPod King."
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