A much needed Black Music thread.
- Thread starter Insidious Von
- Start date
Thanks. It's what I grew up with so I have an affinity for it. But make no mistake about it, the foundation is 60's and 70's. I've come to realize that as I mature.
I think I've finally got my top 10 disco songs list of all time pinned down. Its a combination of both objective and subjective criteria.
#10. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
A classic song with a message of female empowerment.
#9 Ring My Bell by Anita Ward
Not sure if Anita had any other hit songs but this is her crowning achievement.
#8 Got To Be Real by Cheryl Lynn
To be reaaaal forever echoes in my mind. A stone cold classic by an underrated vocalist.
#7 Love to Love You Baby by Donna Summer
Gotta have the Queen of Disco included. I contemplated including 'I Feel Love' instead but a little too much Italo Disco/Electronic vibe. Call me a purist.
#6 Don't Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston
A disco remake of the Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes classic. Thelma owned it. Top 3 for me if we are just using subjective measures.
#10. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
#9 Ring My Bell by Anita Ward
#8 Got To Be Real by Cheryl Lynn
#7 Love to Love You Baby by Donna Summer
#6 Don't Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston
#5 Boogie Ooogie Ooogie by A Taste of Honey
One of the most iconic basslines ever.
#4 Stayin Alive by The Bee Gees
You could make an argument for several Bee Gees tracks but this is the quintessential one for me.
#3 Dancing Queen by ABBA
See my Bee Gees comment above. This is just iconic and I think most disco fans will agree with this inclusion. I've seen it #1 on many lists.
#2 Disco Inferno by The Trammps
The singer of this group got some kinda voice. The words "Burn Baby Burn" is etched in the mind of any disco fan.
#1 Le Freak by Chic
Disco was a movement about just putting your troubles at the door and gettin down on the dance floor. Whenever I hear this song I go into another world. I mean c'mon muscianship just doesn't get better than what Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards laid down on this joint. Those guitars playing off each other are everything. Good Times is probably their best track but this is their best disco track.
#4 Stayin Alive by The Bee Gees
#3 Dancing Queen by ABBA
#2 Disco Inferno by The Trammps
#1 Le Freak by Chic
A couple honorable mentions
If I Can't Have You by Yvonne Elliman
Written by the Bee Gees and included on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. In my top 10 easily if just using subjective criteria.
Ladies Night by Kool & the Gang
Many would put Celebration over this one but in my opinion they would be erring. This is peak Kool & the Gang.
If I Can't Have You by Yvonne Elliman
Ladies Night by Kool & the Gang
I haven't extrapolated out to top 20 but no doubt this would be a contender. Great disco track.
Most of those songs bring back many memories. I was a fan of many of these artists. My favourite was the Bee Gees. They originally were into gospel type music and Robin was the lead singer and had a great falsetto voice, my fav was How Can you Mend a BrokenHeart. Barry later became the big star with Saturday Night Fever. Tragedy hit when Maurice died at age 53 and then Robin at 62. Later Barry had to quit
performing because of major back ailments that were caused by his falsetto singing style. Still have some of their music in my library.
performing because of major back ailments that were caused by his falsetto singing style. Still have some of their music in my library.
That's awesome. The Superman Lover. "Abdul Jabbar couldn't make those prices with a sky hook" Too funny and quite relevant to today.
Folks don't realize how long the Bee Gees were around prior to their Saturday Night Fever explosion. They released their first studio album in 1965.
I know Eddie is a big Four Tops fan and so am I. One of my favorite Motown acts. For years I though Baby I Need Your Loving was my favorite song from them. But now that has changed. This is immaculate. Listen to Jamerson's bass playing here, its incredible. And probably one of Levi's best vocal performances too.
I don't know if I would go as far as describing it as epic but I have to admit as I listened to it, it grew on me. African hip hop seems to be an emerging phenomenon.
