Disco Songs with Most Creative Lyrics

**peppertree5706** · July 24th, 2003, 03:45 PM

I got this idea from the prior post. I think the disco song with the most creative lyrics is, "Take That to the Bank," by Shalamar. I love the song BECAUSE of its lyrics. When that song came out, I was in my third year of college as an accounting/finance major and this song really appealed to me because my head was into all that stuff in my studies all day long.

I first heard it on AM disco 99 (WZZD-Wizzard 100) in Philadelphia. (Formerly WIBG). I was in my car, and I thought it was great to hear what I was studying in a disco song.

Second best, "I Will Survive." This is not one of my favorite disco songs, I like her version of, "Never Can Say Goodbye," better. Anyway, "I Will Survive," was touted as a breakthrough into a new era of disco. A disco song with emotion and a story to tell. It was said, a disco song that was the first to add another dimension to disco music. It is my second choice, because there was much talk about the song starting a new era of disco. Little did I know that a year later, disco would no longer be a major musical style, to my dismay.

**vodkatonique** · July 24th, 2003, 04:55 PM

To this day, I still dont understand the lyrics to "MacArthur's Park". What is this with the cake ? Why would anybody leave a cake in the rain ? Isn't that bad enough that they're pressed on love's hot fevered iron between the morning pages? Just like a striped pair of pants ? I mean come on.

**BrunoRepublic** · July 24th, 2003, 05:28 PM

Originally Written by vodkatonique

To this day, I still dont understand the lyrics to "MacArthur's Park". What is this with the cake ?

It's probably the most ridiculous analogy ever used to describe a failed relationship.

Why would anybody leave a cake in the rain ? Isn't that bad enough that they're pressed on love's hot fevered iron between the morning pages? Just like a striped pair of pants ? I mean come on.

Why did Jimmy L Webb, who is otherwise a very respected songwriter, think he could get away with this sort of arty crap? OTOH, you never forget this song...

**peppertree5706** · July 24th, 2003, 05:43 PM

Let us remember that MacArther Park was a hit record in 1968 by actor Richard Harris. Jimmy Webb did write it.

This version usually scores in the top three in polls for Most Hated Song. That is along with Honey-Bobby Goldsboro and Feelings by Morris Albert.

MP has always been highly controversial in that listeners either love it or hate it with a passion.

Donna Summer: I don't think that the song is complete without the other parts in the "Suite."

Lyrics are secondary to me, especially in disco. Donna did a good job with the song making it into a disco hit.

**PaulC** · July 24th, 2003, 05:58 PM

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**QUINNY** · July 24th, 2003, 06:54 PM

Well, I'd have to say that maybe early Rap records had the most cleverly constructed lyrics, if only because they sounded more poetic to my ears and awkward rhymes and words were easier to get across and get away with, as a rap.

As for McArthur Park, the record's lyrics are pretentious crap whether recorded by a Thespian type or Disco Diva. What were Donna and her mentors on when the idea to record that, tumbled from one of their mouths? Was it an attempt to sell out or revive flagging mainstream interest? I'd rather have a doner kebab than that, any day. :lol:

**markydefad** · July 24th, 2003, 07:00 PM

"MacArthur Park" was Donna's gift to FQs (Fan Queens) everwhere.

**BrunoRepublic** · July 24th, 2003, 07:55 PM

Some thoughts about MacArthur Park:

- While I think everyone agrees that the lyrics are completely inane, the music itself is not. In terms of chord progression and melody, it is excellent IMO. I can forgive bad lyrics if the music is good.

- In terms of structure, there was nothing else like it at the time. Seven minutes long and like three songs in one. The Summer/Moroder/Bellotte transformation into a suite takes an already over-the-top number and pushes it waaayy over the top.

- Donna's version was the only version of any Jimmy Webb-authored song to go to #1 on the charts. And Jimmy Webb hated disco.

- Donna's version completely blows the original away.

**FrontPage22** · July 24th, 2003, 08:21 PM

Debbie Jacob's hit "Don't You Want My Love" may not be super creative but I like the line "Don't you want my love from me". Like Debbie, WHO ELSE could give this guy your love? Disco didn't have a grasp on possessives I guess.

**zeca azevedo** · July 24th, 2003, 09:38 PM

Disco lyrics?

Hmmmm, lemme remember some DISCO songs...

AA AA UU AA EE, by ZACK FERGUSON :lol:
AUTOMATIC LOVER, by DEE DEE JACKSON :lol: :lol:
LET'S ALL CHANT, by MICHAEL ZAGER :lol: :lol: :lol:
ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR ME, by LA BIONDA :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Well, I don't think DISCO lyricists are poets, you know, but WHO cares? Let's have some fun :D

zeca azevedo, another bad writer

**02tranzam** · July 24th, 2003, 10:05 PM

i could have sworn i heard diane warren say she wrote macarthurs park on an episode of oprah.[/img]

**PhyllisHyman** · July 24th, 2003, 10:26 PM

Just listen to it on a bump of K. And if you really, really want to know what it's about, have a bump and pitch it half speed...but no drugs will ever take away from that orchestration ;-)

**bobbchap** · July 25th, 2003, 12:01 AM

One of my favorites is what some say was one of the first rap songs. :roll: Anyway.. It's "Rapture" by Blondie. The words are wild, "...and now he only eats guitars".
Boy!! That song brings back some memories. As mentioned earlier, I can forgive bad lyrics if the music is good. I also want to say that at one point in the forum I talked about how much I hated "rap". I should rephrase that...I hate what rap has turned into. I was thinking just now...yah I love "Rapture" and it's sorta rap..I like the songs from "The Sugar Hill Gang" and the likes. So to say I hate rap is wrong for me to say. That nasty **** they came out with in the 90's etc. I DO HATE THAT!! :evil:

Just wanted to clear that up!! :)

**K-Bee** · July 25th, 2003, 01:20 AM

About creative rap lyrics, i'd say Big Daddy Kane was the King of hilarious lines and clever use of words. I just love the way the mixes song titles and artist names into the lyrics.

here's a few snippets from various tracks:

"and even Lisa Ficsher can't ease the pain"

"My name ain't Keith so would you please stop sweatin' me"

:lol: :lol:

**discosavvy** · July 25th, 2003, 02:23 AM

Originally Written by FrontPage22

Debbie Jacob's hit "Don't You Want My Love" may not be super creative but I like the line "Don't you want my love from me". Like Debbie, WHO ELSE could give this guy your love? Disco didn't have a grasp on possessives I guess.

Perfect segway opportunity...When I was younger I thought Michael McDonald was singing "She must herself smiled at his nostalgic tale". Then I found out it was really "musters a smile ". That is one of my favorite "disco-pop" songs. "What a fool believes he sees, the wise man has the power to reason away" and "trying hard to recreate what had yet to be created". Wow!

**PaulC** · July 25th, 2003, 09:45 AM

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**NickNack** · July 25th, 2003, 09:44 PM

I'll agree with Graham -- I can forgive the lyrics if there's good music. And since I always hated Richard Harris' version (a cake out in the rain was about the stupidest thing I'd ever heard) at least Donna's made me take notice. BUT --- if "Heaven Knows" wasn't included in that suite, I doubt if I would still be listening to it.

**PaulC** · July 26th, 2003, 04:28 AM

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Marcio** · July 26th, 2003, 09:05 PM

I like the lyrics of "Chance" by Candi Staton. So romantic with a strong bassline on the intro:

When you asked me sweetly
If you could drive me to my door...

:P :P :P

**NickNack** · July 26th, 2003, 09:23 PM

Originally Written by PaulC

Nicky....the first time I heard that song was in The Anvil....summer of '78 My first club in USA
It was big there then and still reminds me of dancing there
all night

:lol:

I wonder if you were listening to me :lol: ? I'm guessing you went on a Friday or Saturday so you probably heard Chico or Lance, or maybe Larry Rossiello before he left.

In any case, hope you had a good time.

**NickNack** · July 26th, 2003, 09:25 PM

Originally Written by PaulC

Nicky....the first time I heard that song was in The Anvil....summer of '78 My first club in USA
It was big there then and still reminds me of dancing there
all night

:lol:

I wonder if you were listening to me :lol: ? I'm guessing you went on a Friday or Saturday so you probably heard Chico or Lance, or maybe Larry Rossiello before he left.

In any case, hope you had a good time.

**Jimmy-Michaels** · July 27th, 2003, 01:57 AM

For creative and lyrics with a point behind them id have to say "Supernature" by Cerrone. Those lyrics are very deep and scary and today..they are becoming more a reality! As for disco music in general I hear music, layers, crafting, etc (basicly the whole production) before I hear lyrics to decide if a track is good or ****. As for "Mac Arthur Park"..that song is a nature activist type song and all those metaphores that sound like one long drug trip is basicly talking about the earth and atmosphere. Not one of my fave songs I will say LOL..but I do understand it. The suite however..I will play the "One Of A Kind"/"Heaven Knows" section (which I love) then get out of it usualy with "Love In C Minor" at the chorus part as its climbing up into the "Mac Arthur.." reprise LOL..just a bit of usless info off the subject :lol:

DJ Jimmy M

**PaulC** · July 27th, 2003, 02:21 AM

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**QUINNY** · July 27th, 2003, 01:09 PM

PaulC: I was actually bashing the pretentious lyrics, but if you want I can bash Donna a little more! :lol:
No, it was not one of the most important/best pieces of disco music. It was tired sell out music, IMO.

**HustleBaby** · July 27th, 2003, 03:05 PM

Jimmy

I agree with your choice of "Supernature" it's lyrics are deep, dark and strange:

Once upon a time
science opened up the door
would you feed the hungry feed?
til they couldn't eat no more

But the potions that they made
touched the creatures down below
and they grew up in a way
that we've never seen before

I don't get the message so maybe you or anyone can enlightened me.

My friend was listening to "For The Grace of God" by Machine and that infamous verse which was discussed here in the past made her say "what the hell"?!?!? :o :

Let's find a place that's safe
somewhere far away
with no blacks, no jews and no gays

I consider these lyrics controversial rather than creative. I'm unfamiliar with this group but I doubt that they are racist I told her - maybe they were singing about how others felt. Out of curiosity, I wonder what made them sing those particular lyrics. Its the ONLY disco song that I know of that has its lyrics replaced or blurred on radio stations.

*DISCO DELIGHT*