10 Classic Rock Songs To Start A Party

Our “10 Classic Rock Songs to Start a Party” article is more than just an entertaining guide to party-starting tunes; it’s an essential resource for those looking to get the party started right from the beginning. I spent many years playing in party bands that performed in nightclubs, weddings, and any event that wanted live music. We were a party band, and we knew what songs always worked no matter how dead a crowd may look. There are always a handful of songs that will get most people out of their seats and up on the dance floor. When people were dancing all night, it always made the band feel like they were doing their jobs and had a much better chance of getting paid. So, this list of songs is based on experience and many, many nights of singing until the break of dawn.

# 10 – We’re Having A Party – Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

We open our “10 Classic Rock Songs to Start a Party” list with the hand-clapping, get-out-of-your-seat-and-dance song “We’re Having a Party.” The song became a live concert staple for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes in the 1970s. It wasn’t released on any of their studio albums. However, the public finally got a chance to purchase the recording when it was released on the band’s first compilation album in 1979, titled Having a Party with Southside Johnny. This one works every time. It’s about as feel-good a song as you can play.

# 9 – What I Like About You – The Romantics

Continuing with our “10 Classic Rock Songs to Start a Party” list is a pick that may surprise some people. However, based on experience, this is one that always worked so well. There’s just something really captivating about that opening guitar lick that makes people go nuts. The song “What I Like About You” is probably the most popular song The Romantics ever released. It’s right up there with “Talking in Your Sleep,” which was another big-time favorite. But this one gets the job done.

# 8 – “Pour Some Sugar on Me” – Def Leppard

While most of the songs on this list are from the ’60s and ’70s, there are a few exceptions, one of which is the early ’80s hit “What I Like About You” by The Romantics. Another exception is the fan favorite from Def Leppard, “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” This one can fuel some pretty crazy stuff at a party.

# 7 – Land Of A Thousand Dances – J. Geils Band

Well, there’s nothing like playing a little J. Geils Band music in the middle of a party or at the start of one to get the crowd rocking and rolling. Everyone loves the J. Geils Band. This band was so hot in the ’70s and ’80s, fronted by Peter Wolf and his crazy personality on stage. There are a lot of songs we could have picked from these guys, but this song always blew the party up instantly.

# 6 – Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

I don’t know how many lives this song has, but it seems every generation keeps discovering it and turning it into one of the biggest sing-alongs you can have at a party or even a football stadium. Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” has become the ultimate party sing-along song. This song was released in the late ’60s and is probably more popular now than it ever was. “So good, so good, so good!”

# 5 – “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison

At the halfway point on our “10 Classic Rock Songs to Start a Party” list is another classic song, similar in spirit to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” seems like it was released in another life. However, it’s that opening guitar lick and the sound of Van Morrison’s iconic voice that keeps people moving their feet, smiling, and just feeling good instantly. It’s a shame Van Morrison became so grouchy in his old age, which seems at odds with a song like this. Despite that, I do love Van Morrison’s music.

# 4 – “Twist and Shout” – The Beatles

# 3 – Mony Mony – Tommy James and the Shondells

This classic party song by Tommy James and the Shondells has always been a surefire tune to turn to when you want to get the party up and rocking. The song itself was revitalized in the ’80s when Billy Idol released his own version with a bit of modern flair in a way that only Billy Idol could have done. You can’t go wrong with either version, but since Tommy James did this one first, I just wanted to pay a little tribute to the man who must have sung this song 100,000 times.

# 2 – Old Time Rock And Roll – Bob Seger

Just off the top spot on our “10 Classic Rock Songs to Start a Party” list is a song that starts out with one of the most iconic piano riffs of all time. This one has always been a big-time party song, but it was given new life in the early ’80s when Tom Cruise utilized the song in a very iconic scene in the motion picture Risky Business. It might just be our favorite Tom Cruise movie of all time, especially with the beautiful Rebecca De Mornay alongside him. We used to play this one for half an hour straight.

# 1 – Shout – The Isley Brothers

We close out our “10 Classic Rock Songs to Start a Party” list with the classic Isley Brothers song “Shout.” Not all parties always went well. However, when it came down to it and nothing else was working, this was the song that remained our secret weapon. If we had only one chance to get a party rocking and rolling, and we could only turn to one song before getting fired or kicked out of the joint, this was the golden nugget. Many rock fans will remember this song from the classic scene in Animal House, where Otis Day and the Knights performed the song and the crowd went crazy. Believe me, that’s exactly what would happen every night we played this one too.

10 Classic Rock Songs To Start A Party article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024

Brian Kachejian

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Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.