Reviewed by Craig Hoffman
While life in 2020 has been full of masks, social distancing, and isolation, there will be a time soon when everyone will party again. Here are ten songs to help you plot out your return to real life and the dance club scene.

How are you going to enjoy your return to everyday life in the near future? Let the Icon know in the comment section!

“Celebration”– Kool & The Gang 
The day you can wake up and not have to wear a mask or worry about hugging your grandma is coming. “Celebration” is your happy jam to announce your triumphant return to society. There is nothing special lyrically about this 1980 release, but there is no better anthem to tell everyone that the pandemic is finally over.

“Wake Me Up Before You Go Go”– Wham!
This song starts with the line “you put the boom boom into my heart”. George Michael is announcing the beginning of 1980s hedonism. No doubt once people are free to live their lives again; they will in earnest.

“Twist and Shout”– The Beatles
This song had already been covered by The Top Notes and the Isley Brothers as early as 1961. Still, The Beatles 1963 recording is by far the best and most well-known. It remains a classic despite the fact that John Lennon actually lost his voice from a cold while recording the hit. Hopefully, the days of sickness will soon be behind us.

“Shake It Off”– Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift shook off her innocent persona with this 2014 smash single. This Grammy-nominated song debuted at number one on the Billboard chart. Negativity in life is best shaken off on the dance floor. Dance floors around will be bouncing to this tune as people happily “Shake it off.” 

“I’m Coming Out”– Diana Ross
Diana Ross’s most exuberant 1980 hit is the perfect song to turn any party into a rave. “I'm coming out—I want the world to know, got to let it show.” While it became a gay pride anthem,  it’s message of putting one’s self out there for the world to see applies to everyone who survived, if not thrived, in recent times.

“Walk This Way”– Run-DMC featuring Aerosmith
Toxic Twins’ rock flamboyance and DMC’s hip hop beats and lyrics will remind you to own the world once more. This 1975 chart peaked as high as number ten on the charts. And it paved the way for a return to fame for Aerosmith in the 1980s.

“Party in the U.S.A.”– Miley Cyrus 
Miley Cyrus has been through multiple relationships with men and women in recent years, but she is talented. This mega-hit in 2009 started the former “Hannah Montana” on the road to legitimate popstar status. “Party in the U.S.A” is a can’t-miss dance tune for everyone. (And even this reviewer in Japan.)

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody”– Whitney Houston
A wonderful homage to the late singer. This 1987 classic gives even the most single of people hope that they will find somebody special. There is little doubt as people move beyond the days of isolation they will want to find their soulmate.

“Dancing in the Dark”– Bruce Springsteen
This 1984 anthem’s music video stars former Friends TV sitcom actress Courteney Cox. The song is full of energy and sexual overtones. A perfect metaphor for the pent up frustrations of many young, horny men and women around the world.

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”– Beyoncé
“Dancing (and doing other things) in the Dark” is not without its consequences. There will certainly be births and weddings aplenty as social distancing gives way to full-on social interaction. Bey’s 2008 ode to marriage is sure to please some people while making more than a few folks sweat!

Final Take: The vaccine(s) are rolling out. People are lining up to get injected. Fingers crossed, the pandemic will soon be a distant memory. And we can once more enjoy all that life, family, friends, and unabated human contact has to offer. “Partying like there is no tomorrow!” 5/5

Craig Hoffman is a music graduate of Ohio Northern University and The University of Akron School of Music. He also serves as the Icon’s Japan correspondent.