TOP 10: Deep-Cut Disco Songs
BY Eric Rezsnyak and Derek Mekita
We missed National Disco Day — it takes place annually on July 2 — but there’s literally never a bad time to revisit disco music. In the late 1970s, radio waves and clubs across the globe were overtaken by the joyous, sexy, funky sounds of disco music, music predominantly created by and for communities of color and queer people. Of course, we cannot have nice things, and “polite society” pushed back, turning the media and the grooveless crackers of this nation against the most exciting music of their day — read up on Disco Demolition Night and be appalled.
But disco never died! It morphed into new sounds, and continues to this day. While the major works by Donna Summer, ABBA, BeeGees, and other disco mainstays are well known, the genre produced dozens if not hundreds more amazing songs that have perhaps fallen off the cultural radar. Read on for GPCD panelists Eric Rezsnyak and Derek Mekita’s picks for the Top 10 disco deep cuts that you should add to your dance parties from now on. From now on! From now on! (Cue Natalie Cole….)
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10. “Heaven Must Have Sent You” by Bonnie Pointer
Only so low on the list because the only versions of this track currently available on Spotify are poorly mixed, butchered versions edited down to radio-single length. This gem from Pointer Sister Bonnie Pointer — during her solo career — needs the full dance-mix treatment to be fully appreciated. The bells in the instrumental line, her versatile vocals that go from warm to growling, the whole thing is ecstatic. A pity that the full version is not more readily available.
9. “Saturday” by Norma Jean Wright
You might not know Norma Jean Wright’s name, but you know her voice — she was the lead vocalist for iconic disco/funk act Chic before she went solo in 1978. This track is more laid back, but still has its own groove. The bridge is excellent. A perfect track to put on as you’re getting ready to head to the club on Saturday night.
8. “Street Player” by Chicago
This lesser-known hit from Chicago has been sampled extensively. You’ll recognize the instrumental intro from Pitbull’s “Calle Ocho,” and the lyric, “These sounds fall into my mind” from 90s dance tracks, including The Bucketheads’ “The Bomb!” which in turn has been sampled numerous times. It straddles the line between disco and funk, but we love it regardless.
7. “The Groove Line” by Heatwave
Heatwave was one of the killer funk bands to score a few hits during the disco days, with banger “Boogie Nights” and ballad “Always and Forever” also seeing success. “The Groove Line” is lesser known, but just as good, if not better than those other songs. Excellent musicianship and a super-catchy chorus punctuated by “ooh ooh”s — this is disco, baby.
6. “This Time Baby” by Jackie Moore
It is inconceivable that this tune by Jackie Moore did not chart at all on the Billboard Top 100 — though it did hit No. 1 on the Dance chart. Moore’s sultry voice soars over genuinely great lyrics about a woman who has played around on her partner, lost them, and is begging to take them back because this time will be different. The track was sampled extensively on a Freemasons track from the 2000s, “Love on My Mind.”
5. “Instant Replay” by Dan Hartman
Dan Hartman — who died in 1994 from HIV/AIDS — has quite a few hits to his name, and deserves greater recognition. In addition to writing smashes like “Free Ride” for the Edgar Winters Group (of which he was a member) and “Living in America” for James Brown, he had a string of popular songs as a solo artist, including 80s slow jam “I Can Dream About You” and two absolute fire disco tracks, “Relight My Fire” and this one. “Instant Replay” never stops, not for a single second, and as soon as it’s over you’ll want to put that title to good use by hitting the replay button.
4. “Do You Wanna Funk?” by Sylvester
Speaking of deceased artists who deserve greater attention, I give you disco diva Sylvester. Sylvester was openly gay in the 1970s, and exploring gender identity decades before it was socially accepted to do so. In short, Sylvester was a pioneer. Sylvester also gave us several unforgettable disco anthems. While “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” is, rightly, the best-known of his songs, “Do You Wanna Funk?” almost matches its fierce and fabulous energy. Arguably it is a Hi-NRG song, not disco (it was released in 1982), but this would not sound out of place at Studio 54, I’ll tell you that.
3. “Don’t You Want My Love” by Debbie Jacobs
The version of “Don’t You Want My Love” is the 2000s remix, which brought the song back to prominence after its initial modest success in the 1970s. While it has some added bells and whistles, the core of the song remains — and that core is incredibly strong. This track is irresistible, as every single element is on point.
2. “Love Sensation” by Loleatta Holloway
One of the best vocals on this list, “Love Sensation” gives soul singer Loleatta Holloway a vehicle to let loose, and for disco fans to get gritty. (Or to the real nitty gritty, as the song itself says.) Again, this track was sampled extensively in later decades, between “Ride on Time” and Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch’s “Good Vibrations.” Those are great songs. This original is better. That bridge where she lays it out is absolutely iconic. BTW, this song was also written by Dan Hartman.
1. “Lovin’ Is Really My Game” by Brainstorm
Brainstorm is a relatively unknown disco band that had a few albums — I have at least one on vinyl! — and the fact that this song was not a breakout hit is, frankly, insane. Released at the height of disco in 1977, the song peaked at No. 14 on the dance charts. It is a surging, soaring song that segues effortlessly between chorus, verse, and bridge, with a wonderful vocal by Belita Woods. It also builds to probably the most outrageous climax in all of disco music. Listen to it, love it, learn it, and share it.
Looking for even more great disco deep cuts? Here’s 25 of them:
What are some of your favorite deep-cut disco songs? Drop them in the comments.
