Inspired by my recent trek to D.C. (thankfully missing the Pope’s visit by about a week), let’s party like it’s 1988 and revisit the best-known example of the go-go musical style birthed in our nation’s capital.

That May, E.U. (Experience Unlimited), one of the area’s original go-go bands, enjoyed its biggest success with “Da Butt.” Included on the soundtrack to the Spike Lee film, School Daze, “Da Butt” barely cracked the Top 40 (making it only to #35).

Over on the Billboard R&B chart though, E.U. had a #1 hit with its paean to the posterior:

E.U. scored a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, but “Da Butt” lost to Gladys Knight & The Pips’ “Love Overboard.”

Because we found it hilarious to insert friends’ names into the lyrics (“Cathy’s got a big ol’ butt,” “Susan’s got a big ol’ butt,” etc.), “Da Butt” was a popular song at high-school dances (we were so easily entertained back then). Though Billy Idol’s “Mony Mony” was off-limits because of what we’d shout between lyrics, we never got grief from adults for playing “Da Butt.”

I read this week that Alicia Key’s forthcoming “Teenage Love Affair” video pays homage to School Daze, though I can’t say whether her backfield plays a big role.