Archie Bell & The Drells
Tightening It Up:
The Best Of
Archie Bell And
The Drells
© Rhino
March 8 - 14, 2026
Year of Release: 1994
Rating:
Tighten Up
I Can't Stop Dancing
Do The Choo Choo
Love Will Rain On You
(There's Gonna
Be A) Showdown
I Love My Baby
Girl You're Too Young
My Balloon's Going Up
A World Without Music
Don't Let The Music
Slip Away
Wrap It Up
Dancing To Your Music
Ain't Nothing For A Man
In Love
I Could Dance All Night
The Soul City Walk
Let's Groove
Everybody Have A Good Time
Glad You Could Make It
I've Been Missing You
Strategy
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Archie Bell & The Drells' hit "Tighten Up" is most likely the only song remembered by them. However, it's
great to hear other songs they did, and not just label them as a "one-hit wonder." Tightening It Up: The Best Of
Archie Bell And The Drells compilation consists of 20 songs, from 1968 to 1979.
"Tighten It Up" (1967) leads the compilation, and the next track, "I Can't Stop Dancing" (1968) also has
the "Tighten Up" vibe. (This happened alot back then, where their big hit sounded almost like it, in other
song[s].) "Do The Choo Choo" (1968) (also having the "Tighten Up" feel), could have been inspired by "train
songs," as in "The Loco Motion" (?).
"Love Will Rain On You" (1968) simply defines pure excellent Soul. "(There's Gonna Be A) Showdown"
(1968) has the upbeat sound of R&B. With a title such as "I Love My Baby," (1969) can only be defined as upbeat
Soul. Soulful also gets "Girl You're Too Young" (1969), as it could easily pass as Motown. Likewise, 1960s Soul
(Motown) gets "My Balloon's Going Up" (1969). "A World Without Music" (1969) is very upbeat, soulful as
well. Again, that soulful sound keeps appearing, this time on "Don't Let The Music Slip Away" (1970). If
"Wrap It Up" (19770) sounds familiar, the Fabulous Thunderbirds covered it. "Wrap It Up" is a Rock classic
standard. Archie Bell & The Drells puts their spin on their own version.
The 1970s have emerged, as "Dancing To Your Music" (1973) easily fits that 1970s (Philadelphia) Soul sound.
"Ain't Nothing For A Man In Love" (1973) has Soul, and kind of funky too. It's the 1970s now, as that '70s Soul is
being applied to Archie Bell's music. "I Could Dance All Night" (1975) is upbeat, romantic Soul. "The Soul City
Walk" (1975) could fit the early years of Disco. "Let's Groove" (1976) has the "Hi, Everybody..." as heard on
the #1 "Tighten Up." It's an update of the group's music, grooving, and having a good Disco vibe. DISCO defintely
defines the next track, "Everybody Have A Good Time" (1977). Most of the group's late 1970s tracks here has the
great comparision to Eartb, Wind & Fire. "Glad You Can Make It" (1977) has that EWF feel. And with this great
compilation with all of the upbeat tracks, you have to have a nice slow, romantic Soulful track. And that track is
"I"ve Been Missing You" (1977). Ending this compilation, is the funky "Strategy" (1979). A great
compilation of what most would remember Archie Bell & The Drells as a "one-hit wonder." Incorrect. Archie is still
with us, at 81 years old. He has expanded his musical genres, including Blues and Country.
Archie Bell & The Drells' Tightening It Up: The Best Of Archie Bell And The Drells showcases 1960s/1970s Soul.
"Tigtening It Up" is a great title for this compilation. Each song is tight, soulful, delightful tracks from a group
that could have easily been more popular with their other tracks, other the #1 "Tighten Up." They probably could
have found more success if they were from Motown. (Their recording label was Atlantic Records in the 1960s, Philadelphia
International in the 1970s, and other labels.) They adjusted to the musical trends, with Soul, R&B, and Disco. If those
kinds of musical styles you are looking for, Tightening It Up: The Best Of Archie Bell And The Drells is a great
choice.
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