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.

Contact Corbin Crable at editor@discovervintage.com​