Rock Songs With A Disco Beat
In The Beginning
From the Philadelphia R&B scene in the 60's & 70's with African-American and Latino musicians and audiences to dance parties in the New York gay community disco made a big splash on pop and rock music. DJs started moving from underground house parties into main stream Discotheques like Studio 54 and Paradise Garage where these funky beats grew in popularity. It was only a matter of time before going more mainstream.
In 1997 the film Saturday Night Fever starring a young John Travolta hit huge with audiences and won 4 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year. Suddenly everyone was a disco fan and even many rock groups wanted in on the radio action using that 4 4 disco beat.
Ten Rock Songs With That Sweet Disco Beat
Kiss - I Was Made for Loving' You
The Kinks - (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman
Electric Light Orchestra - Shine a Little Love
The Eagles - One of These Nights
Greatful Dead - Shakedown Street
Paul McCartney & Wings - Goodnight Tonight
Queen - Another One Bites the Dust
The Rolling Stones - Miss You
Pink Floyd - Another Brink In The Wall - Part 2
The Downfall
Soon Disco was critizied as empty consumerism and soon slogans of Disco Sucks and Death To Disco were popping up everywhere. Rock artists were accused of selling out and the gaining Punk subculture was actively hostile to Disco even as Diana Ross' Love Hangover was cited by many UK punks as a personal favorite.
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I'm certainly not a Disco fan, but as I study pop culture and music more the more I appreciate what really went into the creation.
I find it interesting that you posted this. I just watched Barry Gibb's documentary, "How do you mend a broken heart" and he talks about how when the Bee Gees did "The Main Course" they never intended to be a disco band. They just took in what they were hearing around them... which was advice from Clapton, who was a friend of theirs.
Btw, that was a great documentary. It was heartfelt and honest, which in contrast to McCartney's new one, is a bit revisionist and I do love him, but he is not honest with himself.
I watched the Bee Gees documentary a few months ago, and you are right it is a great documentary. One thing that stood out to me above everything is what great songwriters the Gibb brothers were. They've got about ten songs that are as good as anyone has ever written in pop music.
I love that song!
I totally agree John. They were amazing songwriters and I think very undervalued for their talent.
I've seen it. I really enjoyed it.
How long the brothers went without talking to each other! It's so crazy when bands that do so well break up, but it's tough when it's family.
It was really interesting to hear from other brother bands, like Liem Gallagher, from Oasis, talking about that it's a gift and a hardship working with brothers. I also felt so sad for Barry. Out of 5 sibs of which he is the oldest, they are all gone now. He really seemed very lonely. Even the opening was honest... when he said that if one of his other brothers had done this doc, they probably would have written it differently.
Totally from the heart and brutally honest.
You should check out Netflix's This Is Pop series. The episode on Sweden is particularly interesting.
I'll check it out. Thanks!
If a rock song has a disco beat isnt it a disco song played by a rock group?
I don't know, but if you hum a few bars I'll dance to it!
Although I think Billy was talking more about "New Wave".
Nice picks!
I disagree that the Eagle's "One of These Nights" has a disco beat. But I'm not musically savvy so I will just sit down and color.
When the Eagles were recording the album in Miami they were sharing recording space with the Bee Gees and Don Henley is quoted as saying the "four-on-the-floor" bass-drum pattern is a nod to disco.
This may not be a popular sentiment, but I’m with the Dude on this one:
WHAT DOES IT TAKE - Santana
STREET PLAYER - Chicago
SHARING THE NIGHT TOGETHER - Dr. Hook
This was interesting from Dave Grohl.
Nice post! Grohl really knows music and has helped more people do good. I good documentary with David Grohl in it is Sound City about where some of the best rock albums ever were recorded. Grohl bought the sound board before it could be trashed and installed it in his personal studio.
From Can To Can't, one of my favs
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Foo Fighters - Dee Gees MSG Madison Square Garden 6/20/21 NYC
David Bowie China Girl (Live by Request) HD
Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart (Live At The Apollo)
Loverboy - Turn Me Loose (Live: Aug 4 2019)
as a waiter, I insulted the lead singer of this band back in the early 80's when they were breaking out, and his canadian band mates thought it was hilarious. $200 tip. what instrument do you play? "I'm the lead vocalist" oh, tambourine?
What?! You did?!!! He still got it, the voice, eh? Yeah! I don't know, what do you think - would I have loved to be you that day for the financial tip, the embarrassment, or the oh so wonderful memory right now?
I wasn't embarrassed, a little envious of their collection of groupies maybe...
Now THAT sounds like the "Devangelical" I knowI
The Cult 'She Sells Sanctuary' TOTP (1985)
Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music (Live)
I've never known of any rock music to have anything in common with disco.
Anyone chasing the money will follow the trend and for a hot second Disco was king. As I've pointed out all the cool kids tried it.
Rod Stewart - Young Turks - Live - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace - Las Vegas NV - March 14, 2020
Did you catch the drums near the end. Loved it!
MY SHARONA. THE KNACK. LIVE 1979 !
70's kiss used the disco temp!
This is the first video I posted in my original post above... Thanks for participating.
Oops, missed it, trying again. disco infected the hippies too.
Hahahaha! That's up there too. Both good songs though.
This reminded me of this thread...Haha
I love it!
They were good! I was impressed.
Another Brick In The Wall - Pink Floyd - Cover live by The Pink Floyd Project
EvilGenius, this one is for you!
J. Geils Band - Come Back (Full Studio Version)
Styx - Too Much Time On My Hands (Live At The Orleans Arena Las Vegas)
Bruce Springsteen - Dancing In the Dark (from Born In The U.S.A. Live: London 2013)
Frankenstein . Edgar Winters Group . 1973
Everybody 'owned' this one! A #1 smash. Played even in "Heaven" and "Hell" overflow! Crossed all genres!
NOTE: The commercial (none live version) was a little more uptempo and lighter on the heaviness. Kids actually would dance to this song. Just check out a version of Soul Train where it was a featured song!
18 Tina Turner Addicted To Love LIVE