The Heartbeat of the Boulevard and why we still cruze to the Oldies is my passion. When the question came up, what were you passionate about? I had to think about it cause I really never heard that question. I have some really likes, but passion. I would say listening to Cruizing Oldies. Whether with myself, my family or my homies, this music is my passion.
The Heartbeat of the Boulevard and Why We Still Cruze to the Oldies. There is a specific feeling that happens when the sun begins to dip below the horizon, the chrome on a beautiful restored ‘64 Impala catches the last rays of light from the sun, and the first few bars of a slow-tempo ballad begin to drift from the speakers. It’s a rhythmic pulse, a soulful ache, and a celebration of heritage all rolled into one. For those of us who grew up with it, “Oldies” isn’t just a radio format – it’s the soundtrack to our lives.
The Soul of the “East Side Sound” of the Heartbeat of the Boulevard
Cruizing Music, often referred to as “Lowrider Oldies” – is a unique subculture of American music. While the rest of the world moved on to Disco, Heavy Metal, Techno music. There still is a dedicated community stayed loyal to this sweet, harmonizing sounds of the 1950’s 1960’s even some of the 1970’s now. This music found its permanent home in the Chicano Communities of the Southwest and East Los Angeles, creating what many call the “East Side Sound”.
What makes a song a “cruizing” song? It’s rarely the fast-paced rock “n” roll tracks. Instead, it’s the “sweet soul” that wins out. The tracks that favor high, tenor vocals, lush orchestration, and lyrics about heartbreaks, devotion, and staying together. This is perfect when you are cruising down the street or chillin in the park on a Sunday Afternoon.
The Icons: From Little Anthony to Rosie
You cannot talk about cruising without mentioning the royalty of the genre.
Little Anthony and the Imperials provided the essential blue print for the cruizing Ballard’s. When Anthony Gourdine’s soaring vocals hit those high notes in “Goin Out of My Head” or “Hurt So Bad”, you feel it in your chest, and Ralfi Pagan’s “To Say I Love You”. It’s the music that demands you. Slow down, roll the windows down, and just be in the moment.
Then, there is the haunting, celestial magic of Rosie and the Originals. Their 1960 hit “Angel Baby” is arguably the unofficial anthem of the lowrider scene. And she is a Latina. Recorded in a makeshift studio in San Marcos. California. The song’s raw, lo-fi quality only adds to the charm. It sounds like a dream, or perhaps a memory of a first love at a high school dance. Rosie Hamlin’s voice captured a vulnerability that perfectly matched the slow, rhythmic “bounce” of a car on hydraulics. The Great Bretton Woods, ” I Like the Way You Love” who passed last year, is in this group of cruising music masters.
More Than Just Notes: The Culture of the Cruze
To understand the music, you have to understand the car. A lowrider is a piece of rolling art. It is an expression of patience, craftsmanship, and pride. When a car is “low and slow”, the music has to match that pace. You can’t listen to an aggressive, fast-paced music while, you’re trying to show off that pinstriping on your hood or that velvety upholstery in the interior.
The music provides the atmosphere. It creates a “bubble” of nostalgia. When you hear groups like The Delfonics, The Temprees, or Sunny & Sunliners, you aren’t just hearing a song. Your hearing the history of a neighborhood. These songs were played at backyard BBQ’s, wedding receptions, and Sunday afternoon gatherings at the park.
In a world that is constantly moving faster, there is something rebellious about listening to Oldies. It is a refusal to let go of quality, harmony, and genuine emotion. Modern music often relies on digital perfection, but these old tracks have “soul” because of their imperfections. The slight crackle of the vinyl, the live horns, and the raw emotion of singers who weren’t corrected by computers.
The lyrics of these songs are universal. Everyone knows what it feels like to be “Sitting in the Park”, waiting for someone, or when you hear a sad song after a breakup. By keeping this music alive, we aren’t just grumpy about the new stuff, we are preserving a standard of storytelling that rarely exists today.
Why the Oldies Endure
The Legacy of the Lowrider Sound
Today you see a new generation discovering this music. Young people are digging through their Parents’ (and Grandparents’) record collections , finding those old 45’s and those old LP’s, and realizing that the “Oldies” have more “Cool” than anything currently on the charts.
Whether it’s the doo-wop harmonies of the velvet soul of the early 70’s, this music serves as a bridge between generations. It’s a way for a grandfather to show his grandson what it means to have style. It’s a way for a mother to remember her younger days cruising to school in your Lowrider car. That clean ‘63 lowered, it had Spoke Chrome Rims, lowered to the max, it was a beautiful car. And now driving her kids to school with the Oldies playing in the car. But, those were the days.
Chillin at the park, cruising around the varrio/ hood or driving down to Whittier Blvd. on New Years Eve cruising. Everyone showing off their rides, all while listening to Art Laboe, Huggie Boy playing those “Oldies but Goodies”, the feel good sound. Those were the days.
The Road to Cruzing and Golden Oldies Music in the heartbeat of the boulevard
As long as there is a long stretch of asphalt and a car with a decent sound system, the Oldies will die. We will continue to cruise, we will continue to harmonize, and we will always keep the volume up for the songs that make us feel like we’re home. At least for me. Comfort Music, music that calms me down.
Here is a list of 10 soulful, classic oldies from artists that we use to cruze to.
- “Angel Baby” – Rosie & The Originals
- “Goin’ Out of My Head” – Little Anthony and the Imperials
- “I’m Still Here” – The Notations
- “La La Means I Love You” – The Delfonics
- “Smile Now, Cry Later” – Sunny & The Sunliners
- “I’m So Proud” – The Impressions
- “Dedicated to the One I Love” – The Shirelles
- “Hypnotized” – Linda Jones
- “The Town I Live In” – McKinley Mitchell
- “Thin Line Between Love and Hate” – The Persuaders
Grumpy Grandma Knows Loves the Romantic sounds of Oldies but Goodies till infinity. These sounds always will be around as we cruse into our active lives and pass this music down to our children and grandchildren. Let’s all cruse Art Laboe’s Oldies But Goodies into Life. Have any feedback or questions on cruising to oldies, please contact us. If you’d like to stay connected. You are welcome to Register here.