"Gloria" by Laura Branigan

[nrgbeat]

I remember this song being a huge hit around 1982.

Was wondering what the other board members thought of this song. Like it? Hate it? Overplayed?

I like the song, but I hate the Hot Tracks version "Gloria In 3D"

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: nrgbeat on 2002-05-12 14:24 ]</font>

[markydefad]

This is what we referred to at Aloha Records in SF as a "Tourist Record". Every "out-of-towner touring" came into Aloha and they all wanted "Gloria"--long after the record had peaked on the charts and in the clubs.

It was a good record--but WAAAY overplayed and I recall seeing Ms Brannigan sing it LIVE at Troc--and she sure didn't sound as good as the record. Couldn't hold those notes and definitely didn't have the lung power "live" the record makes you think she has.

This sorta ushered in the HI-NRG movement as "Disco" was almost dead at that point. It sounded enuough like the old disco that it gave fans of that music something to claim as theirs in the era of New Wave & Dance Rock ruling the charts. This and "It's Raining Men" were among disco's last gasps for air, if I remember correctly. There were other songs, of course, BUT those two were the biggest at Aloha for the disgruntled queen who hated "what they'd done to my songs, ma."

Sorta like us complainin' about the state of tday's dance music.


_________________
Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-05-12 15:16 ]</font>

[Mixmachine]

When I first heard "Gloria" I thought she was miss Summers singing at first, she even later did a “Dim all the lights” cover, I never saw her live but when she appeared on Johnny Carson (?) she was very shy, she had another fairly popular club hit “Self Control”

[nrgbeat]

On 2002-05-12 15:11, markydefad wrote:
This is what we referred to at Aloha Records in SF as a "Tourist Record". Every "out-of-towner touring" came into Aloha and they all wanted "Gloria"--long after the record had peaked on the charts and in the clubs.

It was a good record--but WAAAY overplayed and I recall seeing Ms Brannigan sing it LIVE at Troc--and she sure didn't sound as good as the record. Couldn't hold those notes and definitely didn't have the lung power "live" the record makes you think she has.

This sorta ushered in the HI-NRG movement as "Disco" was almost dead at that point. It sounded enuough like the old disco that it gave fans of that music something to claim as theirs in the era of New Wave & Dance Rock ruling the charts. This and "It's Raining Men" were among disco's last gasps for air, if I remember correctly. There were other songs, of course, BUT those two were the biggest at Aloha for the disgruntled queen who hated "what they'd done to my songs, ma."

Sorta like us complainin' about the state of tday's dance music.


_________________

I remember in the early 80's I hated new wave music because it didn't sound like disco, but then groups like the Human League and The Eurhythmics came along and did songs that had certain disco elements and had less of a punk flavor than stuff like "Turning Japanese".

Is Aloha Records still around? It sounds like a cool place to work.

[markydefad]

No, Aloha Records went out of business in late 1983. Another store, Butch Wax replaced it in that same space, above a card store on 18th street at Castro. Butch Wax is long gone also. Recently another store further down 18th, Michael Garrett's CD & Record Rack also closed. They just couldn't compete with the Tower chain. Streetlight is still on Market Street and Castro. Actually, Keefe would know this stuff better, since he still lives and shops in SF.

Time Marches On. Everything Must Change.

[nrgbeat]

Not to change the subject, but how come you called Keefe Lady C in a previous post?

Is this a pet name? What does it stand for?
Inquiring minds want to know.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: nrgbeat on 2002-05-12 16:37 ]</font>

[markydefad]

Uh-oh. I better shut up. Yes it is a nickname. I didn't invent this, but I can't reveal anymore. Sorry.

[Fantomas]

It was a good song but overplayed.

[Jeff H]

"Gloria" was/is a great song and was a HUGE hit here in provincial Pittsburgh.

I remember on New Year's Eve that year the DJ at Pegasus (the city's hottest gay dance club at the time) timed his "year's best" countdown to conclude at midnight with "Gloria"--and as soon as the song ended he took the record off the turntable and broke it in half for everyone to see!

I guess it's safe to assume he thought it was overplayed.

But I think Laura Branigan had a number of other great songs too, even if some of them never made a dent on the charts. Her hard-to-find Hold Me CD is one of my favorites. And "Shattered Glass" was one of SAW's best efforts.

But Branigan's take on "Dim All the Lights" was a real disappointment.

_________________
"...a once in a lifetime feeling that returns every week..."

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jeff H on 2002-05-13 09:54 ]</font>

[guille]

"Gloria" was writen by singer songwriter Umberto Tozzi from Italy. He went onto having some minor hits in Europe and Latin America and then, went away. Wonder what he is doing now?
As for "Shattered Glass" that was a great dance hit from 1980 by a female singer, I wish I could remember her name now.
Have a Disco Life.

[Giovanni]

"Gloria" was writen by singer songwriter Umberto Tozzi from Italy. He went onto having some minor hits in Europe and Latin America and then, went away. Wonder what he is doing now?

Umberto Tozzi recorded "Gloria" in italian one year before Laura Braningam. It was a pop big hit in Italy, and Tozzi was very popular in those years. He went on recording in italian for the national market. The Umberto Tozzi's english (and italian) version of "Gloria" was released on US Vanguard records in 1982-3 (Vanguard 12" SPV 59).
He had several others hit in the following years but his best shot remains his first hit "Ti amo" from 1978 or so. He's still active in the italian music market as a singer and, mostly, as a writer and producer for younger singers.

she had another fairly popular club hit “Self Control”

This also was originally released by the italian singer Raf in 1983. This also was released in the US on a 12" by Carrere

[DJ P]

An 80's song that I liked and played (always used two copies to 'echo' 'Gloria, Gloria', and one club I spun at had 3 platters so I could 'echo' and also 'rim' the cut with a third copy and still be able to mix out of it). Even if her other releases never got noticed, this was one enjoyable, somewhat 'Hi-nrg' song of the eigthies that told the 'Top-40' listeners that Disco NEVER died!!! All the best, DJ Phil

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DJ Phil on 2002-05-13 18:36 ]</font>

[keefelc]

On 2002-05-12 16:48, markydefad wrote:
Uh-oh. I better shut up. Yes it is a nickname. I didn't invent this, but I can't reveal anymore. Sorry.

What's the mystery? The store was on 18th and Castro! What more does anyone have to say??! Everybody in that store was a Miss Thing or Lady That. Let's see, there was Lady Ellerbe, the Siren of Sound, Lady Menk, Miss Fadness - those were the nice names for the people we liked. Then, there were the others like "Crusty," "The Creature," "Gussy".

Regardless, Aloha Records was a fun, unique and very memorable time in my life. I met some wonderful friends there and I found out about some great music. What more can you ask for?