Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes – Havin’ A Party

When that chorus kicks in, I’m in heaven. It sounds like early sixties greatness, and it’s just fun to sing along with.  I’ve never been to New Jersey, but Southside Johnny and Springsteen make me feel like I did. Asbury Park has served as a musical mecca for decades. I’m hoping that one day I will get there.

This is not just a cover of the Sam Cooke standard; it is a full Jersey Shore revival meeting, led by Southside Johnny, who sounds like he has lived every lyric and is still catching his breath. When I see him perform on film, he performs with the audience rather than for… in what I’ve seen. He gets them involved and everyone has a good time. 

I love this version because he doesn’t try to out-sing Sam Cooke, because who could? You can hear him reacting in real time, stretching lines, yelling encouragement as he feeds off the band as much as they feed off him. They are built to hear live, and they live up to that job. 

It was on the album Havin’ a Party With Southside Johnny, released in 1979-1980. This song on the album was live, and it’s from 1976. The song was written by Sam Cooke and released in 1962. The original version peaked at #17 on the Billboard 100 and #30 in Canada in 1962. Rod Stewart also did a version that charted in 1994. 

Havin’ A Party

Yeah, everybodyYeah, get every one apartIs there a problem, whooCan we do this now

We’re havin’ a partyEverybody’s swingingDancing to the musicOn the radio (we’re on our way, man)So listen, Mr. DJKeep those records playing (alright)‘Cause I’m having such a good timeDancing with my baby

We’re having a partyDancing to the musicPlayed by the DJOn the radioCokes are in the ice boxPopcorn’s on the tableMe and my babyAre out there on the floor

And we’re havin’ a partyEverybody’s swingingDancing to the musicOn the radioSo listen, Mr. DJKeep those records playing‘Cause I’m having such a good timeDancing with my baby

Everybody’s swinging (oldies)Oldies, doing the twist nowIf you take requestsI’ve got a few for youDon’t forget the soul twistPlay that one called “I Know”I got to hear what suites meNo other songs will do

And we’re havin’ a partyEverybody’s swingingDancing to the musicOn the radioSo listen, Mr. DJKeep those records playing‘Cause I’m having such a good timeDancing with my baby

‘Cause I’m having such a good timeDancing with my baby‘Cause I’m having such a good timeDancing with my baby

Baby, is alright (baby, is alright)Baby, is alright (baby, is alright)Baby, is alright (baby, is alright)Baby, is alright (baby, is alright)Baby, is alright (baby, is alright)Is alright (is alright)Is alright (is alright)Baby, is alright (is alright)Is alright (is alright)Is alright (is alright)

Is alright (is alright)Baby, is alright (is alright)Is alright (is alright)Is alright (is alright)Is alright (is alright)Baby, is alright (is alright)Is alright (is alright)Is alright (is alright)Is alright (is alright)Baby, is alright (is alright)

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

24 thoughts on “Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes – Havin’ A Party”

  1. Pingback: Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes – Havin’ A Party – MobsterTiger

  2. “Havin’ a Party” is a classic in my book. You just cannot resist singing along (no matter how ugly it may sound!😂). Unlike the two other Jersey institutions, Springsteen and Bon Jovi, believe it or not, I’ve yet to see Southside Johnny.

    Max, you’re welcome anytime to come to the Garden State, Max, and stay at my house. We can then go to Asbury Park together. It’s such a cool place for music. You’d love it! And if we plan it, who knows, we could even catch that Johnny dude together! 🙂

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  5. Sounds very ’60sish instead of ’70s…even that Epic label looks old-fashioned! I like Rod Stewart’s version believe it or not…might have been the last single he did that I did like

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  8. Old school type fun song. Like Dave I even like Rod’s version, though this one is live and being live jives it up. Sometimes hearing/seeing it live, warts and all, gives the real feel, the essence of a song.

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  9. One of those New Jersey groups that “attached” themselves to Philly…aside from their obvious Garden State connection. Perfect music for a night on the boardwalks along the Jersey coast, Max!

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  11. Picked up that album on a used cassette. Love “I Don’t Want To Go Home” and “Broke Down Piece Of Man”. Haven’t listened in a while. Might have to. Love Bruce in the video. “Popcorn!”. Life affirming.

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