Washington, D.C. is synonymous with politics. Black tie here, red tie there, navy suit everywhere. But as we’ve discussed before, the city behind the white-columned buildings that garner most of the attention has plenty of gems to uncover. Among those is the musical history of the city that produced a wide range of musicians, ranging from John Philip Sousa to Duke Ellington to Thievery Corporation.

We have put together a list of 32 singles that have defined the surprisingly diverse D.C. music scene, which even created its own genre of music that remains a D.C. secret today: Go-Go (you can get a sample of this genre from Chuck Brown, Junk Yard Band, Rare Essence and Backyard Band below).

Going in chronological order…

1886–John Philip Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever

1888–John Philip Sousa: Semper Fidelis

1931–Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington: In A Sentimental Mood (featuring John Coltrane)

1931–Duke Ellington: It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

1932–Duke Ellington: Sophisticated Lady

1939–Duke Ellington: Take the “A” Train

1973–Roberta Flack: Killing Me Softly

1974–Roberta Flack: Feel Like Making Love

1978–Chuck Brown: Bustin’ Loose

1986–Junk Yard Band: Sardines

1987–Chuck Brown: It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Don’t Got That Go-Go Swing)

1993–Rare Essence: Work the Walls

1994–Junk Yard Band: Loose Booty

1995–Questionmark Asylum: Hey Lookaway

1998–Rare Essence: Overnight Scenario

1998–Thievery Corporation: Lebanese Blonde

2000–R.E.U.B.: All My Peoples (download)

2001–Backyard Band: Pretty Girls

2003–Thievery Corporation: Richest Man in Babylon

2003–Thievery Corporation: Until the Morning

2005–Deep Dish: Say Hello

2007–K-Beta: I Read (download)

2008–Mambo Sauce: Welcome to D.C.

2008–SOJA: Rest Of My Life

2009–Raheem DeVaughn: Bulletproof (featuring Ludacris)

2009–R.E.U.B. (feat. John Mayer): Waiting On the World to Change (Remix)

2009–R.E.U.B.: All I Know That’s Real (download)

2009–SOJA: Here I Am

2009–SOJA: I Don’t Wanna Wait

2009–Wale: Chillin’ (featuring Lady Gaga)

2010–Wale: Pretty Girls (featuring Backyard Band)

2011–Thievery Corporation: Culture of Fear (featuring Mr. Lif)

Lovely logo!