ThrowbackThursday: When Music Moved the Body, the Soul… and Even the Mothers!

Once upon a time before TikTok dance challenges and Bluetooth speakers music was a whole experience. Not just something you played but something you lived through.

Remember those days when a single track could change the entire mood of the house? You’d hear Ebenezer Obey’s intro or King Sunny Ade’s guitar strings and suddenly your parents would drop whatever they were doing Daddy’s newspaper goes one side, Mama’s broom flies across the floor because “that’s my song!”

Every Nigerian child from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s grew up with music as a family member. Saturdays were for house chores but once Ayinde Barrister, Fela, or Orlando Owoh came on sweeping became a dance routine. Mama would be shouting, “Oya wipe that floor well!” but she’s already doing a little legwork herself.

Who remembers the joy when Sir Shina Peters’ “Ijo shina!” filled the air? The whole compound came alive. Aunties in ankara wrappers, uncles in singlets and children in oversized shorts were all moving like backup dancers for Pasuma. Nobody cared about rhythm; the goal was to feel the groove.

Then came the legendary juju and highlife vibes, Kayode Fashola, Ojurongbe, Comfort Omoge, K1 d Ultimate, Oliver De Coque, Mike Ejeagha, the kind of songs that could make your parents’ eyes light up like they just found ₦500 in an old wrapper. The moment their favorite artist’s voice came on, they’d start narrating: “You see this man? I danced to his song on my wedding day!” and before you know it, they’re reliving 1987 right there in your living room.

Parties back then? Unbeatable. You’d see your uncle at a naming ceremony doing moves that defy bone structure. The DJ only needed to play “Osondi Owendi” by Osadebe or “Sweet Mother” by Prince Nico Mbarga,* and the dance floor turned to heaven. People sang word for word even the ad-libs!

And oh, the children! We watched them dance with such passion, we copied every step. Some of us even grew up singing complete Albums like we were co composers. We danced, sweated, laughed because music was therapy before anyone called it that.

Even now, watch your parents when their old favorites come up. They straighten their backs, grin wide, hum the beats before the lyrics start and go, “Ah! That’s Obey!” as though they discovered him themselves. For that moment, the years melt away and they’re young again, full of life, full of memories.

Today, we have Asake, Burna Boy, Tems, Fireboy, Rema, and Ayra Starr — global stars with fire tunes. in the next 20 years, what will this generation tell their children they listened to?

Will it be “Ah, we vibed to Your body na Meatpie by Mavo” or “We no gree rest when Shallipopi by Davido drops”? Maybe they’ll even say, “Our love songs were Fireboy’s Peru and Ayra Starr’s Rhythm & Blues.”

One thing is sure music keeps evolving but its power to move us never fades. Whether it’s Fela’s sax, Lagbaja’s talking drum or Asake’s amapiano fusion good music is timeless.

So Today reminisce on that one old song from your childhood that still hits your soul every time it plays, it could be style plus or Danfo driver. Just enjoy!!!!