It’s been 40 years since I was born. I am suprised and also very happy to be here.
Also, I have been at a loss as to how to celebrate this milestone, considering. So I thought I’d share a playlist with 40+ Happy, Dance like no one is watching, songs. Some are ballads and personal favourites I’ve returned to over and over again which gave me strength and inspiration. These are songs I’ve loved and played repeatedly (forgive me fam) for days, weeks even months, some even years. They make me dance and think of all the good that music has brought to my life. A song for every emotion and circumstance. Some I’ve included because they were so pupular they became part of the soundtrack of my life and shared experiences and so also became favourites. Respect to all the artists, musicians, singers, composers, writers, mixers, masters, choreographers, sound engineers, light and stage designers, riggers, agents, record labels, publicists, dancers, journalists and music lovers around the world who made the past 40 years of my life enjoyable, fun, inspirational and even bearable. Naturally I was spoiled for choice and only included Happy-Dance songs I personally played (heard) often. Asante, Siyabulela, Enkosi, re a leboga Kudu Kudu. If you ever miss me from wherever you are in world, you can play your favourite track on this list and imagine us dancing together. Best Believe I’ll be dancing like no one is watching, foh sure! One Love! Ka’iso, Salaam, Shalom.
My Favourite Happy tracks over the years starting from:
1981 – This Love, Track 04 Glodene and Barry White
1982 – Wanna Be Starting Something, Michael Jackson; I’m so Excited, Pointer Sisters
1983 – Holiday, Madonna; Umqomboti, Yvonne Chaka Chaka; Jump, Pointer Sisters
1984 – All Night, Lionel Richie; Ayashisa Amateki, Mercy Phakela
1985 – Special Star, Mango Groove ; We can Dance, Chicco Twala
1986 – Ag Shame Lovey, Brenda Fassie; Dare Me, Pointer Sister
1987 –Kazet Gazette, Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens ; Burn Out, Sipho Mabuse
1988 – Dancing on the ceiling – Lionel Richie; Orlando Hangover, Monwa & Sun
1989 – Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston: Rhythm Nation, Janet Jackson
1990 – Welala, Mariam Makeba; It’s Lambada, the forbidden dance
1991 – My love, Julio Iglesias, Stevie Wonder; Ndiphendule, Caiphus Semenya & Leta Mbulu
1992 – A whole New World, Regina Belle and Peabo Bryson, Our Father, Sarafina
1993 – Peace in Our Land – Chicco and Various Musicians, Macerana, Los del Rio (Bayside Boys Remix)
1994 – It’s about Time – Boom Shaka: Agolo, Angelique Kijdo
1995 – Different Colours One people, Lucky Dube; Wanna Be, Spice Girls
1996 – Love to Love you, Canoly Brothers
1997 – Stomp, Kirk Franklin, Barbie Girl, Aqua; Vulindlela, Brenda Fassie
1998 – Shibobo, TKZEE; I just called to say I love you, Stevie Wonder
1999 – As long as you love me, Backstreet Boys, Todii, Oliver Mtukudzi
2000 – As, George Michael, Ft Mary J Blige; Tanayi, Hugh Masekela (ft Thandiswa Mazwaai); Try Again, Aaliyah
2001 – Ready For Love, India Arie; Nkalakatha, Mandoza; Rock My World, Michael Jackson
2002 – Can I walk with you, India Arie; Indepedent Woman, Destiny’s child
2003 – Heaven, DJ Sammy; Emlanjeni, Mafikizolo; Hey Ya!, Outkast
2004 – Thathi’s Gubu, Bongo Maffin; Ndiredi, Simphiwe Dana; The Way Kungakhona, Bongo Maffin; Do Bee Do, Freshly Ground
2005 – The weekend, Michael Gray; How do you Feel, TK (ft Twistyle), Where is the Love, Black Eyed Peas
2006 – Sweety My Baby, Bricks; Midnight – 340mil, Feel Good, Lira
2007 – Number One, Gang of Instrumentals; Ndihamba Nawe, Mafikizolo;
2008 – Africa, Salif Keita, Inkosazana Intombi yase Bukhosini, Dj Euphonic: Familiar Feeling, Moloko
2009 – Can you feel it, The Jacksons, Empire State of Mind, Alicial Keys, J-Z
2010 – Just Us, Two Tons of Fun; Waka Waka, Shakira, Ndim Nawe, Simphiwe Dana
2011 – Beautiful People, Chris Brown, Party Rock Anthem, LMFAO Ft Lauren Benette, GoonRock
2012 – Diamond, Rihana, Foreigner, Ragga Remix – Tessana Chin/Mariah Carey,
2013 – Chop My Money, P-Square Ft Aikon; Lovely Day, Bill Withers
2014 – Happy, Farell Williams; Probably for Lovers, Just A Band
2015 – Love on Top, Beyonce; Isukuti Love, Mayonde
2016 – Kids, One Republik; Mthande, Musa; Ngud’, Kwesta (ft Caspter Nyovest)
2017 – Akanamali, Sun el( Ft, Sumthin Soweto);Despacito, Louis Fonci ft Daddy Yankee; Collide, Lady Zamar,
2018 – African Beauty, Diamond Platinumz,ft ORION, Baby Love, Otile Brown
2019 – Sonini, Sun El (ft Sammy & Lelo Kamau); Find your way back, Beyonce; Kokota Piano, KayGee, Daking X Bizizi; Ndibuyile, Bongeziwe Mabandla; Guondo Sakit, John Frog
2020 – Your Love, Azana; We got love, Teyana Tylor (ft Ms Lauryn Hill)
2021 – Indlovu, DJ Zinhle ft Loyiso; Africa, Yemi Alade (ft Souti Soul)
Jedi Ramalapa 