When it comes to dance music from the 70s, some classics remain relevant today. “Play That Funky Music” by KC and the Sunshine Band remains an infectious disco-funk tune that still gets people moving today.
This song starts off slowly but sensuously to set the mood physically and emotionally before quickly transitioning to an energetic groove that’s hard to resist.
“Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” by Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was one of the most iconic soul queens of her era. Beginning her career with a brassy blast of black-and-proud empowerment in 1967, Franklin gradually transitioned alongside soul itself as it went from assertive funk jams to subtle quiet-storm ballads and synth-coated pop hits like 1985’s Who’s Zoomin’ Who?
She proved her skills on the dance floor too. Here she collaborated with Luther Vandross for an infectiously catchy track which quickly rose into the top 10 worldwide and even was featured in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 mobster flick Goodfellas.
Don Covay was brought in by producer Jerry Wexler to write songs for Otis Redding, but later gave this romantic demo song to Aretha Franklin instead. With its uptempo beat and bassline as its foundation and her smooth yet soulful delivery of it all over the globe, its impact made its mark forever.
Lauryn Hill made it her signature track to open up Aretha Now with this top 10 hit single, which became a worldwide smash two decades later when included on the soundtrack for The Blues Brothers movie and Lauryn Hill covered it on her 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
“Chase” by Giorgio Moroder
Giorgio Moroder was an iconic producer who pioneered electronic synthesizer music in the 1970s, popularizing disco through his use of synthesizer music with electronic elements such as this track from his 1975 disco album “Disco is Dead.” Moroder popularized this style of music that mixed elements from pop and rock into disco – with this song being an outstanding example combining all these genres together into something danceable that also boasts sitar guitar and strings; perfect for slow and lyrical dancing alike!
Country and easy listening artists began adding disco influences to their music in the 70s. For instance, Dolly Parton released several danceable but mainstream songs during this era, such as her 1979 U.S. number one “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” with Donna Summer. Norman Whitfield produced disco for Motown artists like Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight & The Pips as well as longer psychedelic soul tracks like Joni Mitchell’s 1974 hit “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone”.
Nearly everyone knows of the Rolling Stones, and this song provides a great example of their sound from the 1970s. With its mixture of instruments that makes for an energetic dance tune that can be performed by anyone regardless of age and musical knowledge.
“Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas
Kung Fu Fighting was an endearingly absurd artifact of the 1970s, combining disco with the growing interest in kung fu movies. No wonder that Douglas became one-hit wonder: his vocal talent could have enabled more than mere novelty hits; unfortunately he never found suitable material or producers; The Castle album where this single was featured, The Soul of Kung Fu Fighting, shows that Douglas could go beyond lip syncing alone.
The ’70s saw many changes to the music industry, from disco’s decline and country music’s surge; yet dance music remained an indispensable form of expression.
Motown producer Norman Whitfield at Motown created elaborate rhythmic instrumental parts, giving producers like Norman Whitfield at Motown an opportunity to produce psychedelic soul productions which became hits for Marvin Gaye, Velvelettes and Gladys Knight & The Pips. Additionally, The Village People also captured sexual liberation that pervaded in the 1970s with their catchy costumes and choreography; their song “Barracuda” by Heart encapsulates this energy brilliantly: its catchy riff and lyrics as well as Ann Wilson’s performance have endured over decades – it is one of its greatest hits still in music history!
“Night Fever” by the Bee Gees
The Bee Gees gave the 1970s one of its iconic dance songs with “Night Fever,” an unforgettable classic from 1977. Still widely played today, its unique rhythm pattern has inspired generations to create creative dance moves over time and is great way to kick start any party or serve as inspiration for other songs over time.
In the 1970s, disco dance music style swept across the world like an immense wave. Motown producer Norman Whitfield used psychedelic soul influences to craft long-playing dance tracks with intricate rhythmic instrumental parts for Marvin Gaye, Velvelettes and Gladys Knight & The Pips hits as well as Manu Dibango’s hit “Soul Makossa,” which helped kick-start disco’s global dominance.
Disco had become popular by 1977, with the Bee Gees providing much of the soundtrack for the hit film Saturday Night Fever with songs such as “Stayin’ Alive” and “More Than A Woman,” making John Travolta famous and inspiring paunchy men everywhere to copy his chest-out, hand-point-into-the-air pose at wedding receptions. Additionally, their 1976 album Children of the World produced dance hits including US #1 hit “You Should Be Dancing.”
“Rock the Boat” by the Hues Corporation
Hues Corporation’s classic disco song with its lively beat was instrumental in helping fuel dance music mania during the 70s. Lead singer Barry Gibbs brought an infectious falsetto that got everyone moving. Perfect for line and couples dancing alike, this tune will ensure an energetic dance floor.
Disco songs typically required a larger band than four-piece soul and funk music of its era, including several chordal instruments (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer), drums or Latin percussion, horn section and string orchestra – higher production costs than earlier genres like soul or funk music were commonplace as was more complex production practices in general.
Many of the greatest dance songs from the 70s were written to address social and political issues at hand. Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi,” from Ladies of the Canyon album was an inspired musical response against pollution; Paul McCartney and Wings’s “Live and Let Die” addressed nuclear proliferation; Heart’s 1974 hit “Barracuda” dealt directly with women’s rights issues by channeling frustration over misogyny into an upbeat, danceable tune.
“You Should Be Dancing” by Donna Summer
Donna Summer was one of the iconic disco singers of the 70s. A multi-platinum singer, she also graced several films that showcased her incredible vocal range and singing style – such as Thank God It’s Friday which featured her popular tune with that same title; which has been used numerous times since in movies and TV shows like Forrest Gump.
This classic song from her early career explores love and romance alongside futuristic synthesizer sounds of Moog synthesizer synthesiser. Though less commercial than her other hits, this track marked a breakthrough in electronic music for its time.
Summer’s breakthrough hit in 1976 propelled her into disco royalty. With its infectious beat and vocal melodies, this dance hit quickly became one of the decade’s most beloved dance tracks – not to mention being part of America’s disco craze! Partly due to being featured on a double album that provided huge exposure across radio stations and clubs; any fan of disco and pop music must definitely listen out for this classic number!
“Baby Don’t Change Your Mind” by Gladys Knight & The Pips
No disco playlist from the 1970s would be complete without at least one Gladys Knight & The Pips track. They were one of the tightest backing vocal groups in soul, known for their choreographed stage routines and unforgettable stage presence. Though Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move” remains their signature tune, Gladys Knight & The Pips had several other hits that wouldn’t go amiss on any 70s disco playlist.
Gladys Knight won an 8-year-old talent competition and formed The Pips with her siblings and cousins shortly thereafter in 1952. Touring and recording on the chitlin circuit for several years before signing with Motown records in 1966 made them popular R&B acts both domestically and abroad.
Unfortunately, The Pips ran into issues with Motown and Buddah Records that resulted in legal battles that ultimately caused their split up in 1968. Gladys Knight became successful as an individual artist while The other members faded into musical history.
This song is long, with plenty of soul. However, its rhythm patterns make it worth listening to.