Tag: disco

Monday’s Theme Music

This one comes from old school disco by one of the greatest performers of that era, Donna Summer. I was thinking, “He works hard for his money.” I was being cynical after reading an article about a CEO – Jamie Dimon – and the millions he makes while his workers struggle to pay monthly bills. Dimon didn’t impress Rep. Katie Porter. Dimon, of course, is one of the saviors of the economic meltdown last decade. He’s also one of its architects by pushing for unfettered greed.

My mind has once again sidetracked me. Donna Summer came out with “She Works Hard for the Money” in 1983. It was a worldwide hit, subject to hours of airplay, so you may have heard it before, and incorporates all of classic disco’s elements, from the beat to the techno sound.

I thought it was an appropriate song for those Monday morning back to the grind blues.

 

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Saturday’s Theme Music

Today’s song splashed into my stream apropos of naught. So, I thought I’d splash it onto this page.

Coming out in the disco era, it has the disco tones that you’d expect. I was twenty and stationed in the Philippines when it hit the airways. It was a good dance tune when you were out clubbing. The dance floor always filled when the song began.

Here’s Tavares and “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel” (1976).

Cheers

 

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Thursday’s Theme Music

Today’s chosen song comes via an Australian TV show on Netflix called Sisters. I remember the song, “Born to Be Alive”, but couldn’t tell you anything about it. Researching it on the net, I found out it’s by Patrick Hernandez, it reached number one on the U.S. Disco Chart, and the song was released in 1978. I was assigned with the military in the Philippines then. The world wasn’t as wired as much as it now is.

It’s a memorable song, though, because the lyrics and choruses are simple, and he enunciates them well.

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Sunday’s Theme Music

Today’s song comes courtesy of an overheard conversation at the coffee shop. One person said, “Call me,” with the classic hang gesture to indicate a phone.

“Okay,” the other said, with a wave and a laugh. A rushed, “Bye,” followed, and then zipped across the cafe.

By then, my brain had started streaming Blondie’s “Call Me” from American Gigolo (1980).  Sometimes soft, gentle, and persuasive, other times assertive, masculine, and urgent to the edge of being frenetic, with a slight sense of desperation, I thought the song was perfect for the movie.

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Wednesday’s Theme Music

Although I’m generally a rocker who likes the blues and drifts toward radio music, I’ve been streaming “Ladies’ Night” in my head this week. The impact came from its inclusion in GLOW. 

Released in 1979 by Kool and the Gang, I think of “Ladies’ Night” as a disco era staple. More, I thought it captured the essence of that times’ club partying sensibilities. Ladies’ Night was a promotional event to draw in more women by giving them special deals. With more women, more men would be attracted to the club, right? Sure, it’s like honey for bees.

“Ladies’ Night” played to all of that, calling out romantic lady, single baby,  and sophisticated mama.  These were the people at the disco, right? Come on out, ladies, it’s your night. I regret the song didn’t also address the weary student and hard worker. They were the true partiers.

Besides all of that, I always like the lines, “If you hear any noise, it ain’t the boys, it’s ladies’ night.” Always makes me smile.

 

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Thursday’s Theme Music

In one of those serendipity moments that I enjoy, I’d started streaming “Le Freak” by Chic yesterday. This was a disco era hit from 1978. It was all washing across the airwaves, so it washed into my brain.

Why was I singing along to the stream in my mind yesterday? Don’t knoaw. But reading this day in history, Studio 54 opened back in 1977. The place was a curiosity. Partiers and the famous and wealthy loved it, but it triggered a meh response in me.

Here is where the serendipity arrives. Chic band members wrote the song “Le Freak” when one of their members (Niles Rodgers) was turned away.

Here’s to the disco era. Let’s freak out!

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