Jukebox songs that put a song  in our hearts

Jukebox songs that put a song in our hearts

Photo by The Retro Store on Unsplash  &  jukebox (Image courtesy of rock-ola.com)

May 2025

Everything Old

Jukebox songs that put a song in our hearts

by Corbin Crable

In this issue of Discover Vintage America, we place the jukebox under a figurative magnifying glass, exploring its history and its mass appeal. The warm glow of its multicolored lights and the boom of the speakers transport us to simpler times – maybe a first date or a stop at a cozy little dive bar.

There are songs that just seem to sound better when played on a jukebox as well. It’s an unexplainable phenomenon, but if you’ve ever used a jukebox and been overcome by a wave of nostalgia, you know exactly what I mean. Many lists of the best jukebox tunes exist; we’re going to check out one list from Spotify. How many of these songs have you heard on the ol’ jukebox?

 

  •  “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” (1983) by Cyndi Lauper: Originally written from a man’s perspective, we can be glad that Cyndi Lauper got her hands on the song, rewriting the lyrics for a different audience. Considered a feminist anthem, the song’s lyrics stand as a celebration of friendship among women.
  • Love Shack” (1989), The B-52s: The song’s famous shack, complete with a tin roof (rusted), was inspired by a small club in Athens, GA, which B-52s frontman Fred Schneider said “looked like a shack … You opened the door and there was a wild band playing.” Becoming an instant classic, it’s no wonder that the song is now a staple at all B-52 concerts.
  •  “Stayin’ Alive” (1977) by The Bee Gees: Immortalized in the film “Saturday Night Fever,” this disco anthem appears at number 189 on the list of The Rolling Stones’ 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Despite its catchy beat, the song is actually about survival on the streets of New York City.
  • American Pie” (1971) by Don McLean: McLean’s song is a tribute to the musical heroes of his childhood – early rock ‘n’ roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper, all of whom were killed in a Feb. 3, 1959, plane crash. A song of both nostalgia and disillusion, at 8 minutes and 42 seconds in length, you’d be certain to get your dime’s worth when you listen to this classic on the jukebox.
  •  “Hotel California” (1977) by The Eagles: You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave! Widely regarded as one of the best rock songs ever produced, the meaning of its lyrics continues to mystify music fans. In the 2013 documentary History of The Eagles, the band’s Don Henley said the song “is about a journey from innocence to experience. … That’s all.”
  • Rock Around the Clock” (1954) by Bill Haley and His Comets: Some of your older family members likely danced to this ditty when it was released in the 1950s; Gen Xers like me will, meanwhile, will recognize it as the song from the opening credits on the TV show “Happy Days” (you know – that show where Fonzie had to give a certain jukebox a good punch to turn it on!).

These are just a few songs that jukeboxes across America continue to play time and again. And as long as we keep the coins coming, they’ll continue to be enjoyed for years to come. Let the music play!

Contact Corbin Crable at editor@discovervintage.com​

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