Shedding the political themes and global concerns that charged 1960s rock, Disco emerged in the '70s as a pure form of dance-based music. Heavy beats and strong grooves tend to stand above all other elements. Producers like Giorgio Moroder and Van "The Hustle" McCoy manned the boards -- and in some cases performed -- on numerous hits. Most Disco records were cut specifically for clubs to maintain an anonymous, free-spirited vibe. Exceptions to this rule included Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, and KC & the Sunshine Band; Disco acts that invaded the pop charts as the style's popularity peaked. Disco dissolved in the '80s, but its influence is still felt strongly in subgenres like Dance Pop, House and Techno.
|
|
|
1.
Let's Groove
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
2.
Shining Star
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Brick House
|
The Commodores
|
|
|
|
|
4.
Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe
|
Barry White
|
|
|
|
|
5.
Boogie Wonderland
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
6.
You Sexy Thing
|
Hot Chocolate
|
|
|
|
|
7.
I'm Coming Out
|
Diana Ross
|
|
|
|
|
8.
September
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
9.
I Will Survive
|
Gloria Gaynor
|
|
|
|
|
10.
Play That Funky Music
|
Wild Cherry
|
|
|
|
|
11.
I Will Survive
|
Gloria Gaynor
|
|
|
|
|
12.
After The Love Has Gone
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
13.
That's The Way Of The World
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
14.
Last Dance
|
Donna Summer
|
|
|
|
|
15.
Fantasy
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
16.
You're The First, The Last, My Everything
|
Barry White
|
|
|
|
|
17.
Sing A Song
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
18.
Stayin' Alive (2007 Remastered Saturday Night Fever LP Version)
|
Bee Gees
|
|
|
|
|
19.
The Hustle (Original Mix)
|
Van McCoy
|
|
|
|
|
20.
Hot Stuff
|
Donna Summer
|
|
|
|
|
21.
Le Freak
|
Chic
|
|
|
|
|
22.
I'll Be Around
|
The Spinners
|
|
|
|
|
23.
Easy
|
The Commodores
|
|
|
|
|
24.
Fantasy
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
25.
Got To Get You Into My Life
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
26.
It's Raining Men
|
The Weather Girls
|
|
|
|
|
27.
Disco Inferno
|
The Trammps
|
|
|
|
|
28.
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
|
Diana Ross
|
|
|
|
|
29.
Love To Love You Baby
|
Donna Summer
|
|
|
|
|
30.
That's The Way (I Like It)
|
KC & the Sunshine Band
|
|
|
|
|
31.
Love's Theme
|
Barry White
|
|
|
|
|
32.
Get Down Tonight (LP Version)
|
KC & the Sunshine Band
|
|
|
|
|
33.
Bad Girls
|
Donna Summer
|
|
|
|
|
34.
Reasons
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
35.
Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up
|
Barry White
|
|
|
|
|
36.
Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
|
The Spinners
|
|
|
|
|
37.
Always And Forever
|
Heatwave
|
|
|
|
|
38.
Play That Funky Music
|
Wild Cherry
|
|
|
|
|
39.
Sail On
|
The Commodores
|
|
|
|
|
40.
Serpentine Fire
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
41.
Funkytown
|
Lipps Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
42.
I'm Your Boogie Man (LP Version)
|
KC & the Sunshine Band
|
|
|
|
|
43.
Can't Hide Love
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
44.
After The Love Is Gone
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
45.
Strawberry Letter 23
|
The Brothers Johnson
|
|
|
|
|
46.
Reasons
|
Earth, Wind & Fire
|
|
|
|
|
47.
I'm So Excited
|
The Pointer Sisters
|
|
|
|
|
48.
Good Times
|
Chic
|
|
|
|
|
49.
More Than A Woman (2007 Remastered Saturday Night Fever LP Version)
|
Bee Gees
|
|
|
|
|
50.
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
|
Bee Gees
|
|
Anita Ward
One-time Disco diva and
soprano Anita Ward hit pay
dirt in the '70s with the
perennial dance favorite
"Ring My Bell."
Barry White
A legendary love jam
specialist, Barry White's
vast catalog has been
rampantly sampled for its
impeccable grooves. Barr...
Bee Gees
Although the Bees Gees
have donned many musical
styles in their four-decade
career, they'll always be
synonymous with Disco. "...
Chic
Chic were the highly
successful Disco band
undertaken by guitarist Nile
Rodgers and bassist Bernard
Edwards. Chic brought Dis...
Donna Summer
Disco's enduring diva gave
us such luscious dance hits
as "Love to Love You Baby"
with the help of producer
Giorgio Moroder. Her real...
Evelyn Champagne King
This Disco diva was just 18
when her breakout hit
"Shame" hit the Top-40,
peaking at the ninth spot.
Giorgio Moroder
Film scorer and electronic
dance music pioneer,
Moroder is best known as
the producer behind Donna
Summer's disco success....
Gloria Gaynor
Blessed with an
unstoppable voice and
some good songs, Gaynor
became a defining voice of
the Disco era with "I Will S...
KC & the Sunshine Band
These dedicated funksters
crafted some of the Disco
era's defining dance hits,
including "That's the Way (I
Like It)." KC is Harry Wayn...
Rose Royce
They took us to the Car
Wash and back, but Rose
Royce was more than just a
Disco outfit -- they never
forgot the Funk. Rose Roy...
Sister Sledge
The Disco sister outfit
scored big with "We Are
Family" in 1979, and they've
been dining out on that hit
ever since.
Tavares
A true brother act (five of
'em!) and a '70s pop
sensation thanks to songs
such as "Heaven Must Be
Missing An Angel." In 1963,...
The Trammps
Philly Soul denizens the
Trammps brought class to
Disco and gained
immortality with "Disco
Inferno."
The Weather Girls
This duo dared to venture
outside when it was raining
men, and lived to sing about
it. Weather Girl Martha Wash
went on to work as a sess...
Van McCoy
A writer/producer for
artists including Peaches
and Herb and Jackie
Wilson, McCoy rewrote
dancefloor rules with "Th...
Village People
Macho men and Disco faves,
the VP made stereotypical
gay culture marginally
acceptable and YMCAs
extremely fashionable.