Kool & The Gang, Celebration | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 144^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 144^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Celebration” performed by Kool & The Gang.

“Yahoo! This is your celebration.” Indeed, Kool & The Gang! The Grammy-winning collective is one of the most iconic R&B groups ever, PERIOD! It’s no surprise that the elite collective is responsible for one of the crème de la crème of R&B songs, “Celebration”. “Celebration” transcends R&B of course, reaching no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Appearing on their 1980, platinum-certified album, Celebrate, the ‘celebration’ incited by this song is enduring and timeless.  “Celebration” was certified platinum by the RIAA back in 1981. Who are the credited songwriters on this celebratory gem? Robert “Kool” Bell, Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, Earl Toon, Robert Spike Mickens, James “J.T.” Taylor, George Brown, Claydes Smith, and Khalis Bayyan. Also credited as a songwriter and producer is Brazilian pianist, composer, arranger, and record producer Eumir Deodato. Fun fact: Deodato is the maternal grandfather of Hailey Bieber, the wife of Justin Bieber.

The funk is lit post-disco on “Celebration.” The production and instrumental arrangement by Eumir Deodato is incredible.  The horns bite in all their articulated glory, the rhythm section is tight, and the riffs riff hard.  “Celebration” grooves hard from the get-go. James “J.T.” Taylor slays on lead vocals as he proclaims, “There’s a party goin’ on right here / A celebration to last throughout the years.” He didn’t lie about the prolonged celebration! He continues, “So bring your good times and your laughter too / We gonna celebrate your party with you.” The songwriting is simple but charming and easy to follow.  “It’s time to come together / It’s up to you, what’s your pleasure,” Taylor continues, with the band joining in, “Everyone around the world, come on.” And, what is Kool & The Gang going to do? They’re going to “Celebrate good times, come on (It’s a celebration).” In another infectious section beyond the chorus, the bridge, Taylor and the collective proclaim, “We’re gonna have a good time tonight (Celebration) / Let’s celebrate, it’s alright.” It’s easy to consistently celebrate with “Celebration”, one of the most beloved,  celebrated, and timeless songs ever. 

Kool & The Gang // Celebrate // The Island Def Jam Music Group // 1980

Kool & The Gang, Celebration: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 144 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Island Def Jam Music Group; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]