It’s sort of like The Marvelettes‘ “Please, Mr. Postman,” from which it borrows heavily and is proudly inspired by – Portugal. The Man‘s “Feel It Still” shows you can’t go wrong when you stick to the classics.

“Feel It Still” sounds and feels like it could have come from 1960, let alone 2017. But as we’ve come to see each and every decade, what’s old is new again, and the old sounds eventually come back around with new flourish and production zing.

So it is for Portugal. The Man (what’s with the period in the middle of your name, guys?) and “Feel It Still.” Written by the band along with producers John Hill and Asa Taccone, the song darted to the top of the charts when it was released in Spring 2017, becoming a monster hit by the fall.

But what makes it so good? From that opening guitar riff to lead singer John Gourley’s unexpected falsetto delivery (can you believe he used to sing in a screamo band!?), the track jumps out the gate with a catchy melody and thinking man’s lyrics, along with reminiscing about the good ol’ days of 1966 and 1986.

Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now
I’ve been feeling it since 1966, now
Might be over now, but I feel it still

The lyrics read like a man who has been there, done that, and despite the looming shadow of middle age, he’s still got that rebellious streak, even if its “just for kicks now.” He’s been feeling it since ’66 and wants to still “kick it like it’s 1986.” Great years!

“Feel It Still” is the lead single from their album Woodstock, released June 16, 2017, though some of the tracks were recorded as far back as 2013. For a so-called “alternative” rock track, I’ve had good response mixing it into my club set in recent months.

I’d never heard of Portland, Oregon-based Portugal. The Man until “Feel It Still” played on my local area radio station, despite being from Oregon myself. But they’ve been around for a while; having formed in 2004, they signed their first major record deal (with Atlantic) in 2010.

And that’s how it’s supposed to work, right? Work your butt off, write and play music because you enjoy it, let the chips fall into place. And who knows – someday you just might have a hit single.