I was running errands, stuck in one of my still-missing-Fred funks, when suddenly — BAM! — I heard it.

It was “Little Bit O’ Soul” by The Music Explosion. When those opening chords burst from my car radio, everything shifted. I found myself swept into a pop-rock-soul anthem warm enough to melt the snow and ice of a New England winter.

Never heard of The Music Explosion? Believe me, you’re not alone.

This little-known garage band from Ohio had the fleeting status of a one-hit wonder. While the song endures, the band faded into obscurity. And for good reason. The Music Explosion didn’t even write the song themselves. The big, full sound you hear? That came from studio musicians. Still, the band enjoyed a brief spurt of fame.

Let’s give them credit where credit is due: The lead singer Jamie Lyons breathes a raw, mischievous energy into the song. It’s like he’s jamming out in his basement somewhere, finding joy in the mess. His delivery merges the rebellious edge of rock with the buoyancy of pop and the rich depth of soul (with a hint of the blues) into one unmistakable vibe.

Right from the first note, the infectious bass line draws you in. As soon as I heard it, I found myself swaying like a tree in a tropical breeze. The driving, upbeat rhythm sets an infectious pattern for the rest of the song. The syncopated beat pulls you along with a playful nudge to let go.

Then the horns come in, sharp and crisp, adding an extra layer of brightness. They don’t overwhelm the song — more like they sneak in subtly to add a jazzy flavor. They lift the pop-soul mix higher, coming right after the “little bit o’ soul” of the chorus.

And then the lyrics? Well, they hit just the right note. There’s no heavy-handed sermonizing here. It’s not about diving deep into sorrow, but about recognizing that, even on stormy days, there’s a way to let in the light.

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The “little bit o’” before “soul” conveys the kind of understatement that makes you smile. Soul doesn’t need to be full-on heavy. You can still have fun even if you feel pain deep down in your soul.

Sometimes it’s strange which lyrics grab you most. For me, it’s the line about how “the fish don’t bite.” Now, I don’t fish, but it hooked me nonetheless. I know what it’s like when things don’t go as planned — when the universe doesn’t cooperate with our expectations.

But the beauty is that the world keeps on moving, and we keep on moving with it. The fish not biting is, well, part of the rhythm of life, so we adapt.

In the span of three minutes, “Little Bit O’ Soul” reminded me of the resilience even a small burst of music can bring. No, it didn’t offer solutions to all my problems. But it did make me feel a little bit lighter. It wasn’t a magic fix — more like a gentle nudge to keep going and put a bounce in my step, if only for a while.

Once the song ended, I reflected on what made it so effective. I’m no music critic — far from it — but I think it’s how “Little Bit O’ Soul” blends different energies into something both playful and grounding. It’s the balance of rock, pop, and soul that gives the song its unique vibe.

Rock brings the pulse, a heartbeat to the rhythm, driving you forward with its energy. Pop offers that singable melody, those hooks that catch you immediately, slipping into your ears to send a feel-good SOS to your brain. And soul — the soul is like your inner Wi-Fi connecting you to the full package of your inner self.

But what if you’re not a fan of pop music like I am? That’s OK! We all find our own ways to keep moving, to stay energized. Nobody’s life is without its shadows, and not even fairy tale characters live in a world of constant sunshine. But that doesn’t mean you can’t keep dancing even if part of you is crying.

Whatever your rhythm is, whether it’s music, nature, or a hobby that centers you, find that pulse and let it carry you forward. Life is full of unexpected turns, and the most important thing is to find your groove with a little bit o’ soul.

Joan Axelrod-Contrada is a writer who lives in Florence and is working on a collection of essays, “Rock On: A Baby Boomer’s Playlist for Life after Loss.” Reach her at joanaxelrodcontrada@gmail.com.