# Underrated Disco Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 15, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994 "2009-02-15T21:38:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/1 "2009-02-15T21:38:05Z")
I have a few boxed sets of disco music from the 70s and they pretty much contain the same songs. You know “More, More, More,” “I Love The Nightlife,” “Best of My Love,” “Got To Be Real,” etc etc Recently on YouTube I ran across a disco song called “Doctor’s Orders” by Carol Douglas and it is very good. And I’ve never heard it before. I was just wondering if anyone else can tell me about some good and under-rated disco songs. You know ones that aren’t already well known. It doesn’t have to be from the 70s just “disco-ish.” Thanks ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/2 "2009-02-15T21:54:14Z")
Anything by Amii Stewart. She specialized in disco cover versions of classic rock songs: “Great Balls of Fire,” “Knock on Wood,” “The Letter.” Very complex and original instrumentation. Also the Moroder-Summer pairing produced some great timeless classics: very moody and complex also. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/3 "2009-02-15T21:57:26Z")
“Never Can Say Goodbye,” for which I prefer the Gloria Gaynor version. Man, she had the voice…and the song is really well-engineered! Not that this youtube is hi fidelity or anything… [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyyMfbqYcTQ) Written by Clifton Davis—remember him, from “That’s My Mama?” > **[Clifton Davis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Davis)** > > Clifton Duncan Davis (born October 4, 1945) is an American actor, singer, songwriter, minister, and author. > Davis wrote The Jackson 5's No. 2 hit "Never Can Say Goodbye" in 1971. He has numerous Broadway credits, including Hello, Dolly! (opposite Pearl Bailey), Aladdin, Wicked, his Tony Award®-nominated turn in Two Gentlemen of Verona, among others. Davis starred in the television shows That's My Mama, Amen, Madam Secretary, and others. He has hosted the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Gospel Super... Also, “Turn the Beat Around” by Vicki Sue Robinson [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44pYL9-XOW0) Whoa, they have the Chipmunks version! [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9bjZ0NgAyo) Me lurvs da youtube! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/4 "2009-02-15T22:12:20Z")
Let’s see … some suggestions: [Heaven on the Seventh Floor](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq8c8UsyTuE&feature=related), by Paul Nicholas. There’s a disco beat underneath, but on top is pure pop. [Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmzWzfd2WN0&feature=related), by Tavares. [Boogie Fever](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULx4uKA98Fs), by the Sylvers. Another large family group with a 12-year-old to supply the high notes. [From New York to LA](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZCnt_SVgM), by Patsy Gallant. Plenty of disco’s trademarks: high hat and strings and vocalists going “ooh-ooh.” ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/5 "2009-02-15T22:31:51Z")
As I recall, the [Saturday Night Fever soundtrack](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Fever_(soundtrack)) had some very good disco on it. I once spun [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame_Street_Fever) record at a party in 1978 and got a lot of attention 😉 It’s not bad, actually. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/6 "2009-02-15T22:44:04Z")
> [@Typo\_Knig](#): > > As I recall, the [Saturday Night Fever soundtrack](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Fever_(soundtrack)) had some very good disco on it. I once spun [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame_Street_Fever) record at a party in 1978 and got a lot of attention 😉 It’s not bad, actually. Pssst. The OP is looking for underrated disco. One of the biggest selling albums of all time is probably not exactly what he was seeking. ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/7 "2009-02-15T22:46:01Z")
Lately I absolutely love disco. I love the recent revival it’s been having in dance music. Here are some of my favorite songs. The sound of these is not exactly pure 70’s nostalgia, but it’s still upbeat and has the funky basslines that I love. Also, strings. [Fan Death - Veronica’s Veil (Erol Alkan remix)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxAcTpIy0Vc) [Putsch '79 - Asian Girls](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJOIsUmN83k) [Mystery Jets - Disco Elizabeth](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSgMbQt-bQk) [Lifelike and Kris Menace - Discopolis (A Hundred Birds remix)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsSiauBfkAA) And just for fun, because it samples a disco classic: [Justice - Stress (Justice remix)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26AjWANl7Ug) ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/8 "2009-02-15T23:00:09Z")
“Smoke from a Distant Fire” by the Sanford-Townsend band has always been a favorite of mine. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wGKNiQ6oQc) ---
**Author:** ![rolandgunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@rolandgunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rolandgunslinger)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/9 "2009-02-15T23:06:49Z")
[“Get up and boogie”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUG79S1YHmM) ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/10 "2009-02-15T23:20:21Z")
I don’t know if they qualify as underrated, but my favorite disco tunes are “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (Thelma Houston) and “Love Hangover” (Diana Ross). ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/11 "2009-02-15T23:31:55Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Also the Moroder-Summer pairing produced some great timeless classics: very moody and complex also. Does this include “I Feel Love”? That’s always been my favorite disco song, but I don’t know if it’s underrated. (Of course, the main thing I know Moroder from is the version of _Metropolis_ he scored, which was the most complete version until the Kino version was released not long after I bought my copy.) ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/12 "2009-02-15T23:32:47Z")
Dunno how rated they are, but Giorgio Moroder did some really great productions besides the brilliant [I feel love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-iQlC-HVs4), like [chase](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMcvaE_iccc&feature=PlayList&p=3188E85E90AB5D1C&index=0&playnext=1) and [evolution](http://www.last.fm/music/Giorgio+Moroder/_/Evolution) (which is something like 18 minutes long, but I couldn’t find a stream). At his best he’s merging synth rock/pop stuff with disco and a dose of acid house (in the late 70s!). ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/13 "2009-02-15T23:41:12Z")
> [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > like [chase](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMcvaE_iccc&feature=PlayList&p=3188E85E90AB5D1C&index=0&playnext=1) and [evolution](http://www.last.fm/music/Giorgio+Moroder/_/Evolution) And [Tryouts for the Human Race](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePdBiVfUsEY)! ---
**Author:** ![Freejooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/14 "2009-02-15T23:42:14Z")
Arthur Russell’s (as Dinosaur) [“Kiss me again.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv6XyhVpHWA) There’s a 12-minute extended version of it out there that’s one of the most transcendent, epic things I’ve ever heard. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/15 "2009-02-15T23:52:29Z")
> [@Electric\_Warrior](#): > > And [Tryouts for the Human Race](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePdBiVfUsEY)! Ah cool! I never even heard that. Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/16 "2009-02-16T01:06:27Z")
Just FYI _Don’t Leave Me This Way_ _Love Hangover_ _Knock on Wood_ These were HUGE hits, reaching number 1. I’ll check out Stewart’s other songs Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll have to check them out. I COMPLETELY forgot “Smoke From A Distant Fire,” I instantly remembered it from when I was young. I’ll have to check it out ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/17 "2009-02-16T01:15:11Z")
> [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > Dunno how rated they are, but Giorgio Moroder did some really great productions besides the brilliant [I feel love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-iQlC-HVs4), like > [chase](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMcvaE_iccc&feature=PlayList&p=3188E85E90AB5D1C&index=0&playnext=1) and [evolution](http://www.last.fm/music/Giorgio+Moroder/_/Evolution) (which is something like 18 minutes long, but I couldn’t find a stream). At his best he’s merging synth rock/pop stuff with disco and a dose of acid house (in the late 70s!). For me, the definitative Moroder/Summer is [Love to Love You, baby](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op1D-up-23Q). There’s a super extended mix, I heard recently and really enjoyed it. When I was kid, i used to lock my door and pray to Gods, that they would give me my new wife Donna Summer…oh well. I feel so sorry for people who have that “disco sucks” thing in their heads. This time in music was so much fun. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/18 "2009-02-16T01:23:55Z")
_Dr. Buzzard and the Savannah Band_ were a law unto themselves, hitting in 1976 with a blend of disco, Cab Callaway and Cole Porter. Supposedly they had the top disco album of that year. This is [I’ll Play the Fool](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI7mHkSLkz4) in which the singer declares she’s so deeply in love that she’ll be going back to school, “…just to get my equivalency diploma.” Eventually parts of the band reformed as _Kid Creole and the Coconuts_. ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/19 "2009-02-16T01:40:20Z")
One more:[For the grace of god go i](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K41ukDlBuaY&feature=related) I was living in Brooklyn, in the middle of a white flight and this song was really timely for me. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994/20 "2009-02-16T01:42:34Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Pssst. The OP is looking for underrated disco. One of the biggest selling albums of all time is probably not exactly what he was seeking. :smack: D’Oh! Maybe some of the down list tracks on the second album I suggested would count? No? I’ll crawl back under my rock now. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-disco-songs/485994.md?page=2)