Disco Disco Skitzo Dancer

To many a child of Generation Y (another brilliant use of Genre), the name disco means big hair, bell bottoms and an exaggerated use of overwhelming emotion befitting the camp nature of tunes from the likes of the Village People. While this isn’t necessarily too far from the truth, the truth of the matter that the disco genre was so enormous it defined an era, creating a sound that lasted for the best part of a decade.

1973 is the year most commonly credited with spawning the first disco tracks which gained immense popularity in New York City particularly within gay club culture. The music mainly consisted of a moderate tempo (between 110 and 120 beats per minute), a slapping bass guitar line, a four-four time signature (used mainly for its consistency and continuity [have you ever tried dancing in three-four or a time signature that changes?]), electric pianos and synthesisers as well as strings and horns. Lead guitar was rarely used unlike most popular music up to that point, and instead a more orchestral feel with pan flutes and xylophones were used to do instrumental solos and back the tracks up. Disco had strong roots in the soul and funk movements which had mass popularity within many subcultures associated with night clubs during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Perhaps one of the most famous and successful groups of the era were the Bee Gees. There hit ‘Staying Alive’ from 1977 reached #1 on the pop music charts in most countries across the world.



Within a contemporary setting, the ‘camp’ and ‘playful’ nature of the disco style of music has allowed the tunes to live on still in clubs and parties worldwide. Beyond the nostalgia, the combination of funk and soul roots coupled with recognisable riffs and lyrics (all too often a missing link in modern dance styles) is a style that is enjoyed by most anyone.

Across the internet, a range of differing websites offer their opinion regarding the top disco tracks of all times, however out of all of these, my personal favourite is no doubt ‘Love in C Minor’ by Cerrone mainly as its the perfect combination of strings, bass and jazz percussion.



Given it’s inherent and lasting popularity it is no surprise that contemporary producers of music are again mimicking the style of disco made popular within the 70s and 80s. The instruments of these days, the Moog Keyboard and Synthesisers, the Cassio Wave Pads still exist and there stature as rare collectors items with incredible value ensures that the era will never go away.