Before a Friday or Saturday night even began, getting ready was part of the excitement.
The radio was playing while you picked out what to wear. Someone was waiting for the bathroom. You checked your hair one more time, grabbed a little cash and wondered who you might run into once you finally left the house.
Whether you were heading to a dance, a party, the movies or just meeting friends, these were the nights you waited for all week.
These 10 songs will take you right back.
- “Dancing in the Street” – Martha and the Vandellas (1964)
Few songs could make staying home feel like the wrong decision. The second this came through the radio, it sounded like an invitation to get outside, find your friends and be wherever the excitement was.
- “Do You Love Me” – The Contours (1962)
This was pure dance-floor energy. If you were getting ready for a party or school dance, hearing this song was enough to have you practicing a few moves before you even left the house.
- “You Can’t Hurry Love” – The Supremes (1966)
The Supremes were everywhere during the decade, and this song had the perfect combination of romance and energy. It sounded especially good when you had a whole night ahead of you.
- “I Get Around” – The Beach Boys (1964)
Cars, friends and freedom made this an anthem for young people eager to get out of the house. It captured the excitement of knowing the night could take you almost anywhere.
- “The Loco-Motion” – Little Eva (1962)
You didn’t need complicated dance moves when this came on. It was fun, instantly recognizable and exactly the kind of record that could get everyone moving at a party.
- “Rescue Me” – Fontella Bass (1965)
That unforgettable bass line made this one difficult to ignore. It had the kind of rhythm that could make getting ready feel like the beginning of the party itself.
- “Good Lovin’” – The Young Rascals (1966)
Fast, loud and full of energy, “Good Lovin’” sounded like youth in the mid-1960s. It was the perfect soundtrack when you were rushing to get out the door and meet everyone.
- “Heat Wave” – Martha and the Vandellas (1963)
Motown knew how to make records that demanded movement, and “Heat Wave” was one of the best. Even before you reached the dance floor, this song could get the night started.
- “Twist and Shout” – The Beatles (1963)
By the time The Beatles exploded in America, songs like this seemed to be everywhere. Its raw energy made it a favorite for parties, dances and anywhere young people gathered.
- “Gimme Some Lovin’” – The Spencer Davis Group (1966)
Those opening notes still sound like something exciting is about to happen. It was the kind of record that made you want to turn up the radio and get moving.
There was something special about those few minutes before you walked out the door. You didn’t know exactly where the night would lead, who you would see or what memories you were about to make.
All you knew was that you didn’t want to miss it.
What did getting ready for a night out look like for you in the 1960s?
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