““Night Fever”Night Fever”

The Rise of DiscoThe Rise of Disco

DiscoDisco

““Disco” was derived from Disco” was derived from “discotheque,” a term first used in “discotheque,” a term first used in Europe during the 1960s to refer to Europe during the 1960s to refer to nightclubs devoted to playing nightclubs devoted to playing recorded music for dancing.recorded music for dancing.

The Rise of DiscoThe Rise of Disco

The rise of disco was driven by several The rise of disco was driven by several factors: factors: – Inspiration of black popular music: Motown, soul, Inspiration of black popular music: Motown, soul,

and funkand funk– Rise in popularity of social dancing among Rise in popularity of social dancing among

American middle classAmerican middle class– New technologies: synthesizers, drum machines, New technologies: synthesizers, drum machines,

and synchronized turntablesand synchronized turntables– Hollywood film industry promoting musical trendsHollywood film industry promoting musical trends– Economic recession—club owners hired DJs Economic recession—club owners hired DJs

rather than live musiciansrather than live musicians

Disco Era (1975–80) Disco Era (1975–80) Popular alternative to rock musicPopular alternative to rock music Focused on social dancingFocused on social dancing Couple-based dances like the hustle and Couple-based dances like the hustle and

choreographed line dances similar to nineteenth-choreographed line dances similar to nineteenth-century ballroom dancescentury ballroom dances

Disco was a reaction against AOR and the idea of Disco was a reaction against AOR and the idea of LPs as art and of rock groups as artistsLPs as art and of rock groups as artists

Disco de-emphasized the importance of the bandDisco de-emphasized the importance of the band– Focused attention on the producers, the DJs who played Focused attention on the producers, the DJs who played

the recordings in nightclubs, and a few glamorous stars the recordings in nightclubs, and a few glamorous stars who sang with the backing of anonymous studio who sang with the backing of anonymous studio musiciansmusicians

Disco rejected the idea of albums as Disco rejected the idea of albums as architecturally designed collections of pieces.architecturally designed collections of pieces.

Disc JockeysDisc Jockeys

Rediscovered the single and Rediscovered the single and expanded it to fill the time frame expanded it to fill the time frame offered by the twelve-inch LP vinyl offered by the twelve-inch LP vinyl discdisc

Developed techniques for blending Developed techniques for blending one record into the next without one record into the next without interruptioninterruption

Listening: “Bad Girls” and Listening: “Bad Girls” and “Good Times”“Good Times”

““Bad Girls” performed by Donna SummerBad Girls” performed by Donna Summer ““Good Times” performed by ChicGood Times” performed by Chic What makes these records disco:What makes these records disco:

– The beatThe beat– A steady, medium-fast tempoA steady, medium-fast tempo– Straightforward, repetitive song formsStraightforward, repetitive song forms– Straightforward subject matterStraightforward subject matter– Limited harmonic vocabularyLimited harmonic vocabulary

Return to the basics, danceable music with Return to the basics, danceable music with a new twista new twist

Listening: “Bad Girls” and Listening: “Bad Girls” and “Good Times”“Good Times”

Some distinguishing characteristics of Some distinguishing characteristics of “Bad Girls” and “Good Times”“Bad Girls” and “Good Times”

“ “Bad Girls” has greater textural variety Bad Girls” has greater textural variety – Donna Summer’s lead vocal, responding Donna Summer’s lead vocal, responding

voices, brass instruments, and a police whistle voices, brass instruments, and a police whistle appear, disappear, and reappear over the appear, disappear, and reappear over the course of the recording.course of the recording.

““Bad Girls” is more elaborate from a Bad Girls” is more elaborate from a formal point of view than “Good Times.”formal point of view than “Good Times.”

The vocal styles used in the two The vocal styles used in the two recordings are differentrecordings are different– Donna Summer’s emphatic, expansive style Donna Summer’s emphatic, expansive style

derives from roots in R&B and gospel.derives from roots in R&B and gospel.