The article highlights three 1970s funk songs presented as uplifting choices for difficult times: Parlet’s “Ridin’ High”, Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”, and Parliament’s “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)”. It argues that funk’s danceable sound and celebratory lyrics made the genre particularly effective at lifting listeners’ spirits, while these tracks have endured as examples of that appeal.

– Parlet’s “Ridin’ High”, from *Invasion Of The Booty Snatchers*, was the woman-led P-Funk group’s biggest commercial hit, reaching No. 49 on the US R&B chart.
– Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” topped the Hot Soul Singles chart, reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and made the Top 20 internationally.
– Parliament’s “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)” reached No. 16 on the Hot 100, became its first million-selling single, and was later sampled by artists including Snoop Dogg.