Tighten Up - Archie Bell and The Drells

[crelite]

My daughter just told me that Archie Bill is in a medical facility and wants to hear from his fans, well wishes and so forth because they both live in Houston

[k.k.h.]

Philly girl living in England remembers this song brings you right back to 1968

[ivoryedwards]

Wow! I remember these guys very well. At 70 I can still do the "Tighten Up" Dance.

[VILJL]

Archie Bell & the Drells was one of the most enjoyable (but often overlooked) dance groups of the late 60s and early 70s. While their funky Texas (and later Philadelphia) sound was often overshadowed by the music coming from Detroit and Memphis, their contribution to the musical landscape of the time was significant -- and always funky.

[charlesoliva]

Tighten Up hit number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 while Archie was stationed in Europe with the US Army.

[sasharenee]

Love me Some Archie Belle & The Drell’s & that arrangement has that Hugh Masekela vibe!!!! God How I wish we could go back to the Good Ole Days 60’s, 70’s & Stop at the 80’s Please!!!

[bitw]

Love Archie Bell can’t believe he’s my cousin on my great grandma side

[melodysanger]

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY
ARCHIE BELL
(SEPTEMBER 1, 2024)

[BudTheDrummer]

In the late 60 "60's this is one of the 45's I ran out and bought, riding my bike to Downtown New Haven! The band is orchestral with an R&B style. Earth Wind and Fire had a similar sound years later. Archie and the Drells were ahead of their time.

[TheDivayenta]

My husband created his own version of the Tighten Up dance. He got so cramped he fell over! 😂

[stanculp]

I live in Canada, grew up on a farm. I came across Archie and the band on youtube couple weeks ago. I really like his singing and the rhythms. Youtube is a goldmine of all types o music. I am white 66yrs old. I didn't expect to see both white and colored together on stage.
Again I love a lot of his/there songs. ❤😊😊

[RyshusMojo]

It usually isn't talked about all that much, but the amount of musical talent that has emerged from the Southeast Texas/Southwest Louisiana region is enormous. Arguably, it would rival any other place in America.

[Mulavi]

"But we dance as good as we want".

[PerspectiveEngineer]

Alway brings a tear to one eye.
Just a sweat soul gotcha.
Because even I can do it.
And I'm just left of old...
I can dig it. Thanks AB&the D

[JBlingBling]

I JUST LOVE IT!!! I remember listening to this as a kid, My mother (RIP) LOVED Archie Bell and the Drells and played their songs ALL OF THE TIME!!!! Great

[marknorthwest]

Nobody got the party started faster than these guys when this tune got played!

[phillipsmith]

Live this song. So cool..even in 2024.

[alistairfannell]

Archie had a brother who played running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[louiecolon]

I remember when I was about 15 we would go to Darby Park in Ingelwood Ca. and watch bands play the tighten up just like this and we would party away back in the days.

[ms.robbie]

That opening baseline is still what’s up! That’s not particularly how we did the dance in Jersey though, and Atlanta had a totally different take on it!