Most Overrated Disco Songs

**discodoc** · May 15th, 2003, 01:09 AM

My list of Most Overrated Disco Songs:

7. "Get On The Funk Train" by Munich Machine
6. "Love To Love You Baby" by Donna Summer
5. "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer
4. "Macho Man" by The Village People
3. "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls
2. "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" by Sylvester
1. "If Ya Think I'm Sexy" by Rod Stewart

**Forrrce** · May 15th, 2003, 04:11 AM

I'm pretty jaded with people who wet themselves over anything Larry Levan, The Loft, etc. played - these 5 minute wonders have very little real interest in the music itself but will champion any records associated with the revered US disco clubs. Even though these records are an important piece of history for those involved, they don't always cut it everywhere else and I'm rather tired of being told what's a 'classic', etc. Nina hagen and Bruce Johnston records (just examples) weren't played in any club that I ever went to - they mean something to a select audience and most of the people I know weren't part of that audience. It's always been a fascinating world for me to look in on when the UK music press occasionally ran features on some of these clubs and DJs, but I don't get this obsession with trying to recreate something which, to most of the 'revivalists', is nothing more than a few books, magazine articles, bootlegs and loads of hearsay. I occasionally get asked for things like Barrabas's 'Woman' - I'm not a great fan of the track but I know many who will pay a lot to have the 12, though not quite as much as it sold for last week on the 'net. Have many of these people even heard it? No....
So having seen the likes of, say, 'Found A Cure' by Ashford and Simpson sitting in cheapie sections for years, I hear it (and about it) more than ever now - it's far from a personal A&S fave of mine - but it seems to have some godly status with (genuine) new disco fans and sheepish trendies alike. It's one of many, to me, overrated disco records (you ain't got time for the rest).
While we're at it, why does absolutely any tired old song Masters At Work put on a comp. get hailed as the best thing since Kenny's birth?

**QUINNY** · May 15th, 2003, 04:47 AM

Forrrce: Tell it like it is!! I more or less mirror your cynicism, especially when people are told what is good by modern day hot shot DJs (many of whom never lived through the times as young adults). In the cold light of day, without everything else that was happening around it, it's very difficult sometimes to be over enthusiastic about a great deal that was Disco. If the records connected with your soul or with your feet, time and space had a lot to do with it.
I trying to forget about rating records anymore. All I ever say now (if I can remember) is that I liked or disliked a certain record. Trouble is, the superlatives/expletives are not far behind, thus grading them by default.
So for example, if I say Cerrone, Midney and Constandidos et al are overrated, it's just that generally I didn't like their styles and think the music was crap (oops I've done it again). To me, Euro Disco was the true anti Disco (and probably why the Disco Sucks campaign was started), cos it tried to copy black American music and made such a ghastly metronomic mess of it. It didn't have any lift, lilt or swing and no real funk or soul TO MY EARS. However, many here loved it and it was popular in many Discotheques. So who's right and who's wrong? Is anyone right or wrong?

Rating is a very personal thing, eh?

**paul** · May 15th, 2003, 11:46 AM

Well Quinny and Forrrce, I would love to see more of your list. This is primarily a matter of opinion and taste anyway. I agree with Forrrce about "Found A Cure." I love A & S but that song was just OK. I heard it more on the radio than at the clubs and in my opinion for good reasons. "It Seems To Hang On" was much better and was definitely a club favorite. I also agree that Midney is also overrated. Disagree about Cerrone and songs, If Ya Think I"m Sexy (Best disco from a rocker) and Hot Stuff (This song worked so well in the discos).
My overrated are Ring MY Bell, Born To be Alive, We Are Family (every body played that to death), Shake Your Groove Thing and a few others I don't remember. Incidentally, those songs were fairly popular club songs. When I heard them, it gave me a chance to get a drink :lol:

**discodoc** · May 16th, 2003, 12:06 AM

First of all, I have a glaring oversight on my part: "Disco Lady" by Johnnie Taylor should be way up there on my list of most overrated. Next small item, Paul, I'd like to know what you disliked about "Born To Be Alive," as I consider it one of my favorites and certainly a song that is long forgotten by the average American. Lastly, regarding Eurodisco, I agree that during the 70's, American disco was superior to the European imports, but my oh my how things have changed since!!! In is a complete tragedy the way that African American music has gone from being second to none in the 70's to better than none today. Such a shame. Eurodisco may have humble beginnings, but it never died and in fact strengthened, thus making it better overall, in the grand scheme of things. Just my thoughts...

**efunk_adelic** · May 16th, 2003, 12:55 AM

As far as euro-disco paving the way for the average americans not to like disco is wrong.
Someone had to write the song to begin with... I like Cerrone... but I don't like everything he does... maybe 5 songs or so... Silver Convention, allthough not much thought was put into the arrangement, was pretty catchy to me. I like several songs by them because I like to hear violins w/ a good thumping bassline. Lyrically they sucked. But I'm sure some of you learned how to do the "Hustle"
to their music. :P

I'm only gonna list songs that I never cared for to begin with:

Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
I was never impressed with the intro, and it bugs me that it's still popular.

Patrick Hernandez - Born To Be Alive
The intro makes me think that cowboys are rounding up cattle. And Patrick's voice is just annoying to me.

Kool & The Gang - Celebration
no comment just :P just blows

Tavares - More Than A Woman
It just never did a thing for me, plus I think the Bee Gees version is more romantic and has a better upbeat melody than the Tavares Brothers version.

**paul** · May 16th, 2003, 01:10 AM

Originally Written by efunk_adelic

Patrick Hernandez - Born To Be Alive
The intro makes me think that cowboys are rounding up cattle. And Patrick's voice is just annoying to me.

Kool & The Gang - Celebration
no comment just :P just blows

Damn efunk You really helped me out here :D
I had a hard time describing what was so irritating to me about "Born To Be Alive" and efunk said it well. The cowboy thing and Patrick's voice was like listening to chalk on a board.
Ok, this may sound like I'm being a disco snob but "Celebrate" belonged to that group that felt they knew disco but in reality had no clue 8)
Oh by the way efunk, I'm still laughing at the cattle roundup analogy :lol:

**efunk_adelic** · May 16th, 2003, 01:28 AM

Paul,

I know, I know, I crack myself up everyday here. :lol:

I'm just trying to loosen up a bit... :lol: and tell it like it is every now and then...
By the way... do you listen to "Dr. Boogie" on 92.5? He did a killer!!!!! killer!!!! mix with
James Brown's "Body Heat" to
Slave - "Just A Touch Of Love"

**HustleBaby** · May 16th, 2003, 02:47 AM

Hi everyone

I think that we discussed this topic before over six months ago ("Most Hated Disco Songs"). Anyway I'll add my opinion in defense to eurodisco. Regardless of its locale whether its Italy or Harlem, disco was hated with a passion because it was "the black & gay music". I love the funk (B.T Express) as well as the orchestra of Boris Midney. Euro disco is sweet, bubbly ear candy that I can't get enough of.

As far as overrated songs, I'll have to disagree with "Get On The Funk Train". I probaly hear it twice a year if that much.

Paul and efunk, I'm sorry but I love "Born To Be Alive" :D ! It's so hip, energizing, different from the usual disco songs and great to hustle to! The long version is fantastic :D !

Overrated:
1.Ring My Bell :evil:
2.I Will Survive :x
3.YMCA
4.Last Dance (not Love to Love You Baby)
5.Celebrate :evil:
6.Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
7.Shake Your Booty

*DELIGHTFUL*

**paul** · May 16th, 2003, 11:35 AM

Originally Written by efunk_adelic

Paul,

I know, I know, I crack myself up everyday here. :lol:

I'm just trying to loosen up a bit... :lol: and tell it like it is every now and then...
By the way... do you listen to "Dr. Boogie" on 92.5? He did a killer!!!!! killer!!!! mix with
James Brown's "Body Heat" to
Slave - "Just A Touch Of Love"

I'm still laughing at that analogy. That cowboy analogy was perfect :lol:
Anyway, I haven't heard Dr Boogie on 92.5. I usually listen to my own disco compilations or "The Surf, 540/1260." What time does the Dr Boogie show start?

**paul** · May 16th, 2003, 11:44 AM

Originally Written by HustleBaby

Hi everyone

I think that we discussed this topic before over six months ago ("Most Hated Disco Songs"). Anyway I'll add my opinion in defense to eurodisco. Regardless of its locale whether its Italy or Harlem, disco was hated with a passion because it was "the black & gay music". I love the funk (B.T Express) as well as the orchestra of Boris Midney. Euro disco is sweet, bubbly ear candy that I can't get enough of.

As far as overrated songs, I'll have to disagree with "Get On The Funk Train". I probaly hear it twice a year if that much.

Paul and efunk, I'm sorry but I love "Born To Be Alive" :D ! It's so hip, energizing, different from the usual disco songs and great to hustle to! The long version is fantastic :D !

Overrated:
1.Ring My Bell :evil:
2.I Will Survive :x
3.YMCA
4.Last Dance (not Love to Love You Baby)
5.Celebrate :evil:
6.Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
7.Shake Your Booty

*DELIGHTFUL*

Hey Delight :)
Perhaps you can convince me on the energizing qualities of "Born To Be Alive" one day

As for now, the next time I hear it I'll also think "Rawhide."
I also especially agree with you #s 1, 2 (that might be blasphemy), 4, 5 and 6.

**efunk_adelic** · May 16th, 2003, 01:49 PM

Paul,

Dr. Boogie is the "traffic jam" dj you hear at rush hour... like 5:00pm to 6:00pm.... what they do is mix a few songs together and talk or do a commercial... some of the mixes he does takes ya back in the day!

**markydefad** · May 16th, 2003, 02:56 PM

In the several years, I've been posting here...I would guess I've participated in at least 99.99999 of these "most hated" threads. I've resisted the temptation to participate in this one until now. Feeling snarky, I'll say the following records (all from a version of the Top 500 here) WOULD NOT get me on the dance floor:

ROMEO & JULIET - Alec Costandinos (BOOOORRRING--yeah, I really wanna hear disco versions of Shakespeare or other literary works)
DADDY COOL/ MA BAKER (shouldn't it be Ma BARKER???) - the insufferable Boney M
BOOGIE MOTION - Beautiful Bend (insipid tripe)
YMCA/MACHO MAN/ IN THE NAVY- Village People (stale camp)
COCOMOTION - El Coco (should have a "Harmful to your health" diabetic warning)
BABE, WE'RE GONNA LOVE TONITE - Lime (the WORST vocal team in the history of recorded music!!!)
DO YOU WANNA FUNK - Sylvester (I had this one pounded into my brain tooooooo many times at Aloha Records to ever wanna hear it again)
MAKIN' IT - David Naughton (Bubble gum TV theme becomes a HIT!!!)
CAR WASH - Rose Royce (time for a bathroom break!!!)
NATIVE LOVE/ SHOT YOUR SHOT - Divine (the WORST solo vocal act in the history of DISCO--unLISTENable--people actually voted these songs on their Top 25??? --I supsect Al Qaeda sabotage)

OK, that's enough. I feel better. :P

**BrunoRepublic** · May 16th, 2003, 03:29 PM

Originally Written by markydefad

NATIVE LOVE/ SHOT YOUR SHOT - Divine (the WORST solo vocal act in the history of DISCO--unLISTENable--people actually voted these songs on their Top 25??? --I supsect Al Qaeda sabotage)

Of course he was horrible. That was the whole point. He was so bad he was good.

Seriously though, Bobby O's production on those tracks was quite cool at the time.

**markydefad** · May 16th, 2003, 03:37 PM

Now, on the other hand, in defense of records that have been previously maligned....

I WILL be dancing to:

FOUND A CURE - Ashford & Simpson (the opening instrumental buildup is stirring and I think it's their best dancer; "Nobody Knows" is next best)

HOT STUFF - HRH Miss Summer (ESSENTIAL Disco goes to Rock--heralding the trend that was to take over; a PERFECT RECORD, IMHO)

DO YA THINK I'M SEXY? - Rod Stewart (People hated this back then and still hate it today (Rock poseur tries to cash in on a Trend)--yet it was a #1 Disco record and I think it's fun. Sue me)

CELEBRATION - Kool & The Gang (OVERPLAYED granted, but truly a CLASSIC party-starter; I haven't tired of this. Sorry)

Some of the others: I WILL SURVIVE, BORN TO BE ALIVE, RING MY BELL...are overplayed and while, I wouldn't rush to the dance floor...they have a place in history. So I'd probably endure them hoping a BETTER song would be coming next.

If it's gonna be DIVNE or LIME...I'm gonna take a leak. :lol:

**Leatherman** · May 16th, 2003, 05:00 PM

Sharon Ridley "Changin" is very much of the type of record Forrrce is talking about, I think. Mundane, boring, average pap that "Larry used to play at the Garage" - yawn!!!!!

**paul** · May 16th, 2003, 05:33 PM

Originally Written by markydefad

In the several years, I've been posting here...I would guess I've participated in at least 99.99999 of these "most hated" threads. I've resisted the temptation to participate in this one until now. Feeling snarky, I'll say the following records (all from a version of the Top 500 here) WOULD NOT get me on the dance floor:

ROMEO & JULIET - Alec Costandinos (BOOOORRRING--yeah, I really wanna hear disco versions of Shakespeare or other literary works)
DADDY COOL/ MA BAKER (shouldn't it be Ma BARKER???) - the insufferable Boney M
BOOGIE MOTION - Beautiful Bend (insipid tripe)
YMCA/MACHO MAN/ IN THE NAVY- Village People (stale camp)
COCOMOTION - El Coco (should have a "Harmful to your health" diabetic warning)
BABE, WE'RE GONNA LOVE TONITE - Lime (the WORST vocal team in the history of recorded music!!!)
DO YOU WANNA FUNK - Sylvester (I had this one pounded into my brain tooooooo many times at Aloha Records to ever wanna hear it again)
MAKIN' IT - David Naughton (Bubble gum TV theme becomes a HIT!!!)
CAR WASH - Rose Royce (time for a bathroom break!!!)
NATIVE LOVE/ SHOT YOUR SHOT - Divine (the WORST solo vocal act in the history of DISCO--unLISTENable--people actually voted these songs on their Top 25??? --I supsect Al Qaeda sabotage)

OK, that's enough. I feel better. :P

So does this mean WE wont be dancing to "Cocomotion" Marky

I'm suprised "Super Disco" didn't make the top of your list Marky :)

**markydefad** · May 16th, 2003, 05:58 PM

Paul, that's sooooo funny that you should mention "Super Disco"!!! When I went out to lunch, it just hit me that I shoulda trashed that Rimshots song!!! But to be truthful, I don't even remember how it goes...I only had it on Napster (never listen to those files anymore!!!). Never hoid of it before that first Top 500!!!

Isn't it an instrumental? :oops:

Whatever it was...it just seemed totally FORGETTABLE!!! But, SOMEONE SOMEWHERE musta had "fond" memories. That's the way the cookie crumbles.....I guess :roll:

**paul** · May 16th, 2003, 06:35 PM

Super Disco is an instrumental with the exception of the occasional, "Supah...Dissco."
And oh, I am the one who has fond memories of that song. Gee Marky, you sure know how to hurt a guy :(

**markydefad** · May 16th, 2003, 06:41 PM

Paul, "we'll" be dancing to LaBelle's "What Can I Do Fo You" and Jeanette "Lady" Day's "Come Let Me Love You" at the big disco in the sky. :D

You can dance to "Super Disco"with Fantomas or Ricardo!!! :lol: :P :lol: :P :lol: :P :lol: :P :lol: :P :lol: :P

**paul** · May 16th, 2003, 06:57 PM

Originally Written by markydefad

Paul, "we'll" be dancing to LaBelle's "What Can I Do Fo You" and Jeanette "Lady" Day's "Come Let Me Love You" at the big disco in the sky. :D

You can dance to "Super Disco"with Fantomas or Ricardo!!! :lol: :P :lol: :P :lol: :P :lol: :P :lol: :P :lol: :P

:lol: Good one.
Better still, what if the 4 of us are hanging with the guy with the pitch fork. I'd give my left nut to see Fantomas and Ricardo groovin' to "Come Let Me Love You" :D

**markydefad** · May 16th, 2003, 07:14 PM

Naw, Paul--If we go to hell, It's gotta be "All Bee Gees, All The Time" for Fantomas. No Chocolat's for him.

Just a continuous loop of Jive Talkin/ Stayin Alive/ Night Fever and You Should Be Dancing//Repeat ad nauseum.

The Great And Powerful markydefad has SPOKEN!!! :P

**NickNack** · May 16th, 2003, 08:19 PM

Originally Written by Leatherman

Sharon Ridley "Changin" is very much of the type of record Forrrce is talking about, I think. Mundane, boring, average pap that "Larry used to play at the Garage" - yawn!!!!!

Leatherman: Sorry, but it wasn't just Larry. He and several hundred other NYC dj's played it because we/they knew how to work a morning music/sleaze set. Believe me, if they were yawning it's because they'd been up for 3-days straight!

Paul/Marky: If I ever get the opportunity, I'll teach you to like "Cocomotion". 8)

**HustleBaby** · May 17th, 2003, 12:15 AM

"Rawhide" Paul? Is your mind in the gutter again? :lol:

Of all the K.C & The Sunshine Band songs, "Shake Your Booty" :x is played the most on NYC radio stations following with "Get Down Tonight"(which I like).

Marky, "Cocomtion" bad for your health? :( That's too bad because its one of my top ten disco favorites - I guess different strokes for different folks. "Car Wash" is likeable while watching the movie, otherwise I won't dance to it. I'll go to the ladies room or get a apple martini.

More overrated/overplayed tunes:
Mandolay - I don't hate it or love it but I'll dance to it.
Mighty Real - This is played more than "Do Ya Wanna Funk"
Hot Shot - Karen Young :evil:
Don't Leave Me This Way - I know its on every compilation but I love it :D !
The Hustle - This is the disco anthem and a all-time fave :D
Disco Inferno - :D
Soul Makossa - I'm sooooo tired of it :x

*DISCO DELIGHT*

**efunk_adelic** · May 17th, 2003, 01:49 AM

I can't believe I forgot this one.

Jakki - Sun, Sun, Sun

what the hell were they thinking? :roll:

I was gonna put "YMCA" but, I can tolerate the 12" mix only!!! with emphasis on "only". :P