Oh, to be alive during a time when Bee Gees ruled the charts and voices like Donna Summer’s took over the dance floor. Here are a few songs from the end of the disco era in 1979 that clubs and DJs today could take some notes on.
“Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer
This is one of those songs that just makes you feel like you can float across the nightclub. “Hot Stuff” is sung from the perspective of someone who’s looking for a little action, which you might be doing if you go out on the town. Even though Donna Summer is known for being bold and sensual in much of her popular music, she wasn’t actually that way in real life. The personality in “Hot Stuff” was just another character that she played.
Videos by American Songwriter
Sittin’ here eatin’ my heart out waitin’
Waitin’ for some lover to call.
Dialed about a thousand numbers lately
Almost rang the phone off the wall.
“We Are Family” by Sister Sledge
Okay, “We Are Family” might not have the same sex appeal that “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer does. However, I wouldn’t take it out of the running in terms of solid disco hits. This song was the top R&B song of the year in 1979 and the second biggest pop song behind “Hot Stuff”. Not to mention it was written by Chic hitmakers Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. So, really, we should’ve known it was going to be huge. The songwriting pair had already had their first hit and were looking to prove that they could write stuff for other artists. Sister Sledge was a relatively unestablished act at the time, and “We Are Family” became their signature song.
“I Can’t Tell You Why” by The Eagles
This song is a little more soul and rock than disco, but it still brings the vibes nonetheless. “I Can’t Tell You Why” was written by Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey, and Don Henley of The Eagles. You can literally feel the conflict in this song, which seems to be about a relationship that’s struggling.
Look at us baby, up all night
Tearing our love apart.
Aren’t we the same two people
Who lived through years in the dark?
Photo by: Michael Putland/Getty Images
More The List
-
Daryl Hall and John Oates of Hall and Oates, posed outside of the TopPop Studio Hilversum, Netherlands, January 1976. They were recording a video for their hit single 'Sara Smile'. (Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns) -
QUEENS, NY – August 20: MANDATORY CREDIT Bill Tompkins/Getty Images Joan Jett perfoming at Shea Stadium on August 20, 1983 in Queens. (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images) -
Natalie Imbruglia -
American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, performing in New York City, 7th December 1977. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
Photo by Ivan Keeman/Redferns -
November 15, 1991 file photo of Michael Jackson (Photo by L. Cohen/WireImage) -
British pop group The Kinks, circa May 1964. Clockwise, from left: drummer Mick Avory, guitarist Dave Davies, bassist Pete Quaife (1934 – 2010) and singer Ray Davies. (Photo by Tom Hustler/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
