Get Out On the Disco Floor Again Part One

A popular genre of music popped up in the 1970s and early 1980s. People began tapping their feet as disco songs were known for their captivating lyrics and catchy beats. Some of the songs seemed to go on forever but once you were out there on the disco floor and that disco ball was throwing off colorful rainbows it really did not matter. The disco era is long gone but the songs remain and some of the best deserve to be heard even today. So pick your favorites.

Disco is a combination of various elements like soul, funk, gospel, and electronic music. Let’s take a musical journey through the disco era.

“Love to Love You Baby” is a song that was recorded by American singer Donna Summer. It is featured on her 1975 album. The song was written by Italian musician Giordio Moroder, Summer, and Bellotte. It became one of the first disco hits to be released in extended form, The song is one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and is Summer’s only one on the list.

“I Will Survive” was among the greatest to hear on the disco floor. After reciting the lyrics you were sure you would do just that – survive. It is a song that was recorded by the American singer Gloria Gaynor and was released as the second single from her 1978 album Love Tracks. The song was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris. It is remembered as a disco staple. The song rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles charts. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA and won the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording.

“Stomp!” What can I say? We did just that upon the disco floor and with 100s stomping together it was quite an impressive sound. The song was recorded by The Brothers Johnson and is featured on their 1980 album Light Up the Night. It went to number one on the Dance Singles and R&B Singles charts. The song also charted on the UK Singles chart.

“Ring My Bell” reminded everyone how it was to wait for a phone call, Out on the disco floor it was a catchy and fun song. This 1979 disco song was written by Frederick Knight and recorded by American singer and musician Anita Ward. It became a major hit and rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Disco Top 80, and Soul Singles charts as well as number one on the UK Singles chart.

‘Rasputin” is an amusing song that comes with its own history lesson. The song was recorded by the German-based pot and Eurodisco group Boney M. It was the second single from their 1978 album Nightflight to Venus. The song was written by the creator of the group Frank Farian, George Reyam, and Fred Jay. It is all about Grigori Rasputin who was a friend and advisor of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family in the early 20th century.

“Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” is a song that was recorded by the Spanish vocal duo Baccara. It sure made you want to get out on the disco floor and show everyone you knew how to boogie. The song is featured on their 1977 debut album Baccara. It was written by Frank Dostal and Roff Soja. The song became an international hit and the only one to go to number one on the UK Singles chart. Baccara were Spanish flamenco dancers Mayte Mateos and Maria Mendiola. They were discovered on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

“Lady Marmalade” gave everyone a French lesson and soon everyone knew to ask Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir? Translated meaning Do you want to sleep with me, tonight? Doesn’t it sound seductive and romantic in French? The song was recorded by the American funk rock group Labelle and written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. It quickly became a hit and went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This version was selected by The Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry.

“It’s Raining Men” is another one of my top favorites even though there were long dry spells. The song was recorded by the American musical duo The Weather Girls and is featured on their 1983 album Success. It came in a bit late in the disco era but was welcomed just the same, The song incorporates the elements of R&B, Soul, and 1970s-style electronic dance music, It became a number-one dance hit in the US,

“If I Can’t Have You” is a beautiful slow-dancing disco song that was written by The Bee Gees in 1977. It is featured on the soundtrack of the movie “Saturday Night Fever” sung by American singer and songwriter Yvonne Ellisman. The Bee Gees also recorded their version in 1977. The recording by Ellisman rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.