Is suffering, whether emotional, social, or physical at the core of disco?

[The Boogie Doctor]

Is disco music somehow emergent from a state of suffering in people?

[drlove]

What a question to ponder !!! Thanks, Boogie Doctor, for getting the 'ole brain cells a-spinning this a.m. !!! Personally speaking, me thinks that numerous disco "historians" would generally agree that the rise of disco music's popularity in the first half of the '70s was credited to its swift acceptance by disenfranchised/repressed societal segments such as our Black, our Latino and our Gay communities, as it gave them something to call their "own" in the years preceding Saturday Night Fever's pop-culture invasion. And yes, these segments of our society have often felt diminished in the eyes of the non-Black, non-Latino and non-Gay majorities of America. But, I think I'll stop there in NOT drawing a direct link between suffering and the core of disco, as I think the core of disco music goes way beyond various suffering in that it MOVES people of ALL moods, races, genders & sexual orientation to do simply that – to move !!! Whether its be-bopping your head to the music, or tapping your toe, or full-out doing the hustle, disco music has the ability to let the blessedly happy people and the often-suffering people join as one in doing the same thing – having fun !!! Just a personal opinion from a fellow disco fan . . . .

[remicks]

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good!

we've got the doctors on the board discussing this !
........... (psychiatrists??)....



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[drlove]

Re: Remicks' comment of:

........... (psychiatrists??)....

* * * * * * * *

:) -- actually, a few friends of mine might agree with you, but no --- am actually a paralegal !!! The "drlove" handle came about ONLY 'cuz First Choice was in the cdplayer at the time I signed onto the forum !!!

[paul]

Originally Posted by The Boogie Doctor

Is disco music somehow emergent from a state of suffering in people?

Can you elaborate further?

[remicks]

******

Originally Posted by drlove

The "drlove" handle came about ONLY 'cuz First Choice was in the cdplayer at the time I signed onto the forum !!!

......... I'll bet you're glad it wasn't SMARTY PANTS playing



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[Dayna]

Originally Posted by paul

Can you elaborate further?

RIGHT? The subject sounds kind of DEEEEP ..Not that I mind deep ,I just want to know what I'm digging in

[The Boogie Doctor]

Alright, in response to the two requests for further elaboration on my initial conjecture, I offer the following details. Simply put, but not in any sense simple, my query sought to draw attention to the potential emotional and social bedrock of our dearly beloved genre, and was, in a way, a more specific extension of my initial foray into the question of why disco seemed to be readily locatable in gay and black frameworks. Correspondents to this earlier thread had skirted the periphery of my present enquiry in stating that the reason why disco emerged amidst the gay and the black was possibly because it was somehow linked to those people's status as variously oppressed. This catalysed the current thread: if disco emerged among such oppressed sections of 'society,' then, accordingly, perhaps the emotional foundation on which the genre rests is, logically, suffering. By way of analogy, one can easily see that earlier forms of black musical expression were emergent from a state of suffering in people; one need only consider blues, as a paragon of the principle. Thus, I wanted to explore people's thoughts on whether the same axiom might be attendant in disco. I hope these details flesh the picture out somewhat and can now faciliate further discussion on the matter.

[Dayna]

Originally Posted by The Boogie Doctor

Alright, in response to the two requests for further elaboration on my initial conjecture, I offer the following details. Simply put, but not in any sense simple, my query sought to draw attention to the potential emotional and social bedrock of our dearly beloved genre, and was, in a way, a more specific extension of my initial foray into the question of why disco seemed to be readily locatable in gay and black frameworks. Correspondents to this earlier thread had skirted the periphery of my present enquiry in stating that the reason why disco emerged amidst the gay and the black was possibly because it was somehow linked to those people's status as variously oppressed. This catalysed the current thread: if disco emerged among such oppressed sections of 'society,' then, accordingly, perhaps the emotional foundation on which the genre rests is, logically, suffering. By way of analogy, one can easily see that earlier forms of black musical expression were emergent from a state of suffering in people; one need only consider blues, as a paragon of the principle. Thus, I wanted to explore people's thoughts on whether the same axiom might be attendant in disco. I hope these details flesh the picture out somewhat and can now faciliate further discussion on the matter.

[paul]

OK BD. I see your question is looking at a broad social context specifically aimed at the gay and black communities.
My opinion here is, to some small degree the plight you reference had an impact in the genre. Unlike the blues however, the music ventured down the path of escapism and celebration where often with the blues it was reinforcement that, yeah, you experienced bad shit.
I wouldn't over emphasize a deep meaning as it pertains to cultural oppression however. In fact if anything, the music was a reflection of a sort joy in living life itself, even among the songs that dealt with less positive issues. I hear the music saying among other things that regardless of what comes your way, enjoy life and take pleasure in those moments.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Originally Posted by paul

I hear the music saying among other things that regardless of what comes your way, enjoy life and take pleasure in those moments.

Not to sound dismissive of the subject, nor flippant...
I think the genre (in general) doesn't require much more scrutiny than Paul's closing sentence.