the very first disco song???

**mixtape** · October 19th, 2003, 08:06 PM

what is the very first disco song??? In my opinion it would be possibly the temptations or james brown.

**originalbigm** · October 21st, 2003, 05:51 PM

An impossible question since the original styles of music played in discos was Soul ,Funk & R&B and even progressive jazz.Your answer is on the right track but to be specific as to a title or artist would be subject to arguement.

**NickNack** · October 21st, 2003, 10:24 PM

mixtape,

WELCOME TO THE BOARD

I agree it's an impossible question (surprised he even got a response) but I think the choice of James Brown is waaay off. I, for one, will never be able to think of him as a "Disco" artist. I've been hearing his music since the 1950's when I was a brat. Disco was no where in sight. As for the Temps, their Cloud Nine album was always a dance marathon for me and my friends. We loved Side 1 and the 9-minute version of "Runaway Child" was heaven. Early traits of disco? Maybe, but so much soul and r&b was in the clubs they're surely not the first.

And yes, James Brown's "Sex Machine" or whatever the title is was played to death in the clubs but again, long way from being first. If I had to pick a song of his from the 1960's that I would have played early on in the club scene it would be his "There Was a Time". I used to have two different versions on 45, both hot.

**Com King** · October 22nd, 2003, 09:31 AM

I heard and read that the commonly accepted first disco song was "Soul Makossa" by Manu Dibango.

In my opinion, the early Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra songs sound really disco.

But maybe are there older songs that can be considered disco.

**NickNack** · October 22nd, 2003, 10:37 PM

Originally Written by Com King

I heard and read that the commonly accepted first disco song was "Soul Makossa" by Manu Dibango.

In my opinion, the early Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra songs sound really disco.

But maybe are there older songs that can be considered disco.

And that's why the question is impossible. There has to be a consensus on what is disco (oh god, not again) before you can decide what the first song what be.

**Rodmann2** · October 22nd, 2003, 11:32 PM

Originally Written by NickNack

And that's why the question is impossible. There has to be a consensus on what is disco (oh god, not again) before you can decide what the first song what be.

I understand that some dance singles were considered disco in the 60's but Issac Hayes's 1971 smash hit 'Shaft' is the earliest example of the typical 70's disco style that I have heard. Bonnie Bramlett's 1973 club hit 'Crazy 'Bout My Baby' is another example of the early disco style.

Rod Mann

**efunk_adelic** · October 23rd, 2003, 12:24 AM

I would think strings had something to do with it... as heard in these songs... I think:

Isaac Hayes - Shaft (71)
Papa Was A Rolling Stone - Temptations (72)
Masterpiece - Temptations (73)
Soul Makossa - Manu Di Bango (73) no strings
Honey Please, Can't Ya See - Barry White (73)

kinda got things rolling along (pre-'74)

Marcio** · October 23rd, 2003, 01:25 AM

I have seen this song on some disco playlists,but it's above all a jazz song...
"Also Sprach Zaratustra" by Eumir Deodato, 1973.
He's brazilian.

**Nano** · October 23rd, 2003, 11:59 AM

In fact, what Deodato made was a dance version of the theme of the movie "2001 A Space Oddysey" (1968) by Stanley Kubrick. The theme "Also Sprach Zaratustra" was composed by Richard Strauss, brother of the "king of the waltz" Johann Strauss, back in the beginnings of the XX century.
Giorgio Moroder also did something with "Also Sprach Zaratustra" in one of his Munich Machine productions.

**peppertree5706** · October 23rd, 2003, 02:51 PM

Not Shaft. It does not have a constant beat, though it is an excellent record.

First ever..."Love's Theme," by Barry White and The Love Unlimited Orchestra. #1 in Feb., 1973.

Then what? I think the next big record that was a disco trailblazer was, "TSOP" by MFSB. That was from April, 1974.
That song, nailed down what disco would be and it was the beginning of a great type of music...Disco.

**Paulo** · October 23rd, 2003, 09:29 PM

An impossible question since the original styles of music played in discos was Soul ,Funk & R&B and even progressive jazz.

That's true. So along with Isaac Hayes - Shaft (71) / Papa Was A Rolling Stone - Temptations (72) / Masterpiece - Temptations (73), I will include Marvin Gaye's WHAT'S GOING ON - 1971....

..."No way, I can hear you say. That's R&B"... Well, I don't know, it has a steady dance beat and those strings...

If there would be such a thing as DISCO 1971/72 then WHAT'S GOING ON would work along with SHAFT and PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE.

I would also pick up 2 songs which were giant hits here in Brazil in 1974 and which for sure have early disco ingredients (although they both beggin with ROCK):
ROCK THE BOAT (HUES CORPORATION)
ROCK YOUR BABY (GEORGE McRAE)

**NickNack** · October 23rd, 2003, 09:35 PM

Originally Written by peppertree5706

Not Shaft. It does not have a constant beat, though it is an excellent record.

It may not be heavy, 4/4 on the floor, but it's constant. If anything inspired Crown Heights Affair to do "Dreamin' a Dream", it was "Shaft".

**efunk_adelic** · October 23rd, 2003, 10:45 PM

how bout these gems:

Mr. Big Stuff - Jean Knight ('71) no strings
Family Affair - Sly/Family Stone ('71) no strings
I'll Take You There - Staple Singers ('72) no strings
Back Stabbers - O'Jays ('72)
I'll Be Around - Spinners ('72)
Could It Be I'm Falling In Love - Spinners ('73)
Love Train - O'Jays ('73)
Keep On Truckin' - Eddie Kenricks ('73)
The Love I Lost - Harold Melvin/Bluenotes ('73)

**QUINNY** · October 24th, 2003, 03:49 AM

So far as I'm concerned the original Disco music was the Motown dance hits from 1964/65 along with a healthy smattering of Ska. Those were records you only heard in a Discotheque, when I was but a mere lad and they were good to dance to.

I'd put TSOP by MFSB as the real first Disco record and the Gloria Gaynor album with the continuous/segued first side as the real 'light switch' moments. Both sounded sooooo new and sooooo different at the time. I never went overboard about either of them, but I knew things would never be the same again. You could just feel it in yer water. :lol:

**originalbigm** · October 24th, 2003, 08:21 AM

Originally Written by efunk_adelic

how bout these gems:

Mr. Big Stuff - Jean Knight ('71) no strings
Family Affair - Sly/Family Stone ('71) no strings
I'll Take You There - Staple Singers ('72) no strings
Back Stabbers - O'Jays ('72)
I'll Be Around - Spinners ('72)
Could It Be I'm Falling In Love - Spinners ('73)
Love Train - O'Jays ('73)
Keep On Truckin' - Eddie Kenricks ('73)
The Love I Lost - Harold Melvin/Bluenotes ('73)

All examples of R&B or Soul Hits.The Love I Lost was very disco in it's beat and delivery.However all the replies prove my point. Impossible to point to one exactly.Sort of like trying to find the missing link between ape and man.It may prove more interesting to try and focus on the different styles of "disco" and try and pinpoint the first record of that genre.i.e. the philly sound.