Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
#1
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Thread Starter
Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
Disco has been a guilty pleasure for me for a long time, and in the 80s (when you didn't even dare say the word "disco" for fear of being lynched) I successfully predicted it would come back as a nostalgia thing just as the "oldies" of the decades before it.
Of course the usual go-to disco tracks nowadays are stuff like YMCA and Stayin' Alive, but there were lots of great ones that don't get as much love nowadays. Here's some of my favorites that are on YouTube, with audio mattering more than the visuals:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PmzxG9kdZhM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S-u6qdeaPoE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/czDR51JtnWo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xomA3o6pgsA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9GNvvXTcbmQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t5Vp48Uf-4s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ehxyt5kNrvo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0hsdvE4dHd4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Of course the usual go-to disco tracks nowadays are stuff like YMCA and Stayin' Alive, but there were lots of great ones that don't get as much love nowadays. Here's some of my favorites that are on YouTube, with audio mattering more than the visuals:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PmzxG9kdZhM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S-u6qdeaPoE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/czDR51JtnWo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xomA3o6pgsA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9GNvvXTcbmQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t5Vp48Uf-4s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ehxyt5kNrvo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0hsdvE4dHd4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#2
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
Here're a few for you, Alan:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RnvwcGLWybI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WWXb2UveAXg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p76TJA4-PzE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QWghdTtGMos" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vR8NqaA3gjw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JZ4s3ycnAlA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RnvwcGLWybI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WWXb2UveAXg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p76TJA4-PzE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QWghdTtGMos" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vR8NqaA3gjw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JZ4s3ycnAlA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#5
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
"Struck By Boogie Lightning"
I perfer this instrumental version
I perfer this instrumental version
#6
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Thread Starter
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
There was a lot of great disco out of Italy that hardly got heard over here- same with new wave in the 80s. And now I have yet another reason to see "Don't Go in the House"- don't know why I've always passed on it when it was there for the buying only to go out of print after that.
#8
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
Also:
Donny & Marie went disco with surprisingly good results:
Donny & Marie went disco with surprisingly good results:
Last edited by Perkinsun Dzees; 03-07-16 at 10:45 AM.
#9
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
According to legend Jackie's Under Fire was a club favorite in South America and Australia, but didn't sell enough to register on any charts. Produced by Terry Britten (Tina Turner) and recorded in the UK in 1979, Under Fire is a cover version of a song originally recorded by South African girl group Clout. Discophiles claim Jackie's version is one of the greatest Disco songs ever.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_J4kQL13rE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Rare TV performance by Canadian group American Fade performing their underground club hit I'm Alive. The guy in the plane is not a band member.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L86z5hdrZGY (Embedding disabled)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_J4kQL13rE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Rare TV performance by Canadian group American Fade performing their underground club hit I'm Alive. The guy in the plane is not a band member.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L86z5hdrZGY (Embedding disabled)
#10
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
If there ever was a living version of Studio 54, it was Amii Stewart.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HAbq_qkzFR0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
And then there was the unique Belle Epoque.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rzkIsZeERak" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HAbq_qkzFR0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
And then there was the unique Belle Epoque.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rzkIsZeERak" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#12
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
Pop singer Sheila was already a household name in native France since the 1960s. In 1977 she created the disco project Sheila (&) B. Devotion, hired three dancers from America and recorded an album in English which spawned several hits throughout Europe. In late 1979 she went to New York to record her second album (and final disco album) "Spacer" with Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers from Chic. The title track Spacer became one of her most well known and most successful songs ever, released in 1980.
Injecting some class in the euro disco scene, Sheila took her disco years quite seriously. Here she is performing her first single Love Me Baby:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d0vLXCS6m60" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Injecting some class in the euro disco scene, Sheila took her disco years quite seriously. Here she is performing her first single Love Me Baby:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d0vLXCS6m60" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last edited by hbilly; 08-30-16 at 01:55 PM.
#13
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
Disco never died, so why should this thread? A few more underplayed disco tunes:
Bonnie Pointer - Heaven Must Have Sent You (1978)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfpc6kvAiwI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Kelly Marie - Feels Like I'm In Love (1980). A song that was offered Elvis Presley once.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WR03E91J_uA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Sylvester - Do You Wanna Funk (1982)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5H69xXQRSgM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Bonnie Pointer - Heaven Must Have Sent You (1978)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfpc6kvAiwI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Kelly Marie - Feels Like I'm In Love (1980). A song that was offered Elvis Presley once.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WR03E91J_uA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Sylvester - Do You Wanna Funk (1982)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5H69xXQRSgM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#14
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
a few more
Baccara - Yes Sir I Can Boogie (1977) - A gem for sure
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bjSGXz4kdRY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Luisa Fernandez - Lay Love On Me (1978) - This was her first single and only hit in most of middle europe.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YebFtp13nVQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Gibson Brothers - Que Sera Mi Vida (1980) - Huge hit worldwide, but not in America.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rFqhD5lcvws" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Baccara - Yes Sir I Can Boogie (1977) - A gem for sure
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bjSGXz4kdRY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Luisa Fernandez - Lay Love On Me (1978) - This was her first single and only hit in most of middle europe.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YebFtp13nVQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Gibson Brothers - Que Sera Mi Vida (1980) - Huge hit worldwide, but not in America.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rFqhD5lcvws" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#15
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Thread Starter
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
I'm pretty sure there was a movie from the 90s that used "Yes Sir I Can Boogie" in one scene, and in a bit of an ironic manner- but I can't for the life of me remember anything more than that. Does that ring a bell (no pun intended) for anyone?
And wouldn't it have been something if Elvis had done a disco record!
And wouldn't it have been something if Elvis had done a disco record!
#16
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
... and a few more:
Amanda Lear - Queen of Chinatown (1977) - even though she claims to be female speculation about her gender gave her lots of media attention. In reality she hated disco music, and she dated David Bowie once. How cool is that?
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rNWQv_DTx_o?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
La Bionda - Baby Make Love (1979) From Italy. Soundtrack from the German discoploitation flick "Disco Fever (1979)"
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dTvTmGRTToA?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Penny McLean - Lady Bump (1975) - Nope, this song is not about a camel toe. Penny used to perform with Silver Convention (Fly Robin Fly), this was her solo offering.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rkrdmf7GzKg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last edited by hbilly; 02-16-17 at 02:05 PM.
#17
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
I was always quite partial to this one by Don Ray:
The instrumental break from 4:10 - 6:00 is sublime.
The instrumental break from 4:10 - 6:00 is sublime.
#18
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
*bump* for a few obscure rarities
Secret Service - Oh Susie (1979) From Sweden. This was their only "disco/dance" song. Released in 1979, became a hit in Europe in 1980.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iK4m-S-E6fE?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Supermax - Love Machine (1978) From Germany. Mixing disco with soul and rock. Cool tune.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4o3DIEL9LT0?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Nick Straker Band - A Walk in the Park (1979) From the UK.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iC69z-1hLkY?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Secret Service - Oh Susie (1979) From Sweden. This was their only "disco/dance" song. Released in 1979, became a hit in Europe in 1980.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iK4m-S-E6fE?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Supermax - Love Machine (1978) From Germany. Mixing disco with soul and rock. Cool tune.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4o3DIEL9LT0?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Nick Straker Band - A Walk in the Park (1979) From the UK.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iC69z-1hLkY?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last edited by hbilly; 02-16-17 at 02:28 PM.
#21
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Thread Starter
Re: Underrated/underplayed disco tracks
Drop whatever you're doing and listen to this. How did I never know this existed til now? A disco version of the Yardbirds' "For Your Love"- and it's ELEVEN minutes long!