The Knack

[Outsider]

I've been meaning to start a thread on this band for a long time. Yeah, I know that some people here think that they're the band that killed disco with that "My Sharona" song (which as you know I disagree), but I want to know what people's opinion of them are in general. I admit to owning a copy of "Get The Knack" (the album with "My Sharona"), and there's more to them than that one song.

:evil:

[efunk_adelic]

Outsider,

I own a copy of the 7" single of My Sharona in Mint- condition... for which you can see I didn't play it much. I don't remember why I bought it in the first place. But I don't absolutely hate the song. It won't make any top lists that I would make either. What I should do is put it on CD and start playing it at one of my mobile shows and see what kind of reaction I get.... I'm kinda chicken tho :oops: I wonder if any board members would dance to it if I did play it. Or better yet, if I did play it... what would any of you say to me, positive or negative... :)

[Outsider]

Originally Posted by efunk_adelic

Outsider,

I own a copy of the 7" single of My Sharona in Mint- condition... for which you can see I didn't play it much. I don't remember why I bought it in the first place. But I don't absolutely hate the song. It won't make any top lists that I would make either. What I should do is put it on CD and start playing it at one of my mobile shows and see what kind of reaction I get.... I'm kinda chicken tho :oops: I wonder if any board members would dance to it if I did play it. Or better yet, if I did play it... what would any of you say to me, positive or negative... :)

That's cool you bought it. I realize that this song is seen by many here as the thing that killed disco (read my numerous posts on why I disagree with that), and there seems to be a lot of resentment towards the Knack because of that view. I'm not saying that you necessarily feel that way. Obviously, I have nothing against you playing it. Like I said, I have the album that includes that song. And as I have already stated, there are other songs of theirs I prefer. "My Sharona" is one of my least favorites on the album. They were the first band my fiancee saw in concert, which was in 1980.

As far as dancing to "My Sharona" goes, I don't think it's possible to dance to it (the song is too fast). "Oh Tara" would be an easier Knack song to dance to, and "Maybe Tonight" might be good for slow dancing. Most of the songs on "Get The Knack" are too fast for dancing. There could be songs on their other albums that are danceable, but I've only heard the one album, so I can't say.

By the way, I didn't start this thread as either a joke or an insult. I really want to find out people's opinions on the Knack themselves, outside of their supposed impact on disco.

:evil:

[efunk_adelic]

Outsider,

When I first heard My Sharona , my jaw dropped in disbelief... The white guys in the club had smiles on their faces. I just spent 1 year of straight disco dancing, having fun with friends that liked the dance music. It was just shocking. I was a little annoyed with the DJ & believe me... all heads were turned his way... (not even 5 seconds went by) lol. It was in rotation on his show...

If I recall... the club closed down (i'm not kidding here) closed down by the end of August. Now keep in mind, I'm in my teens. This was a special Wednesday spot they set aside for youngsters under 18.

Disco became a joke... all the disco sucks stickers on cars... It was fucked!! :evil:

I betcha I bought that single within a few weeks that he played it... I'm sure I had a good reason. In fact I probably liked it for a month or so... before radio played it so much that you wanted to turn the station or play a cassette tape.

By the way... I wasn't considering that thread a joke... we're having a good discussion.

By no means did the song kill disco... but it sure turned some heads & got the ball rolling for things to come.

[Outsider]

Originally Posted by efunk_adelic

Outsider,

When I first heard My Sharona , my jaw dropped in disbelief... The white guys in the club had smiles on their faces. I just spent 1 year of straight disco dancing, having fun with friends that liked the dance music. It was just shocking. I was a little annoyed with the DJ & believe me... all heads were turned his way... (not even 5 seconds went by) lol. It was in rotation on his show...

Other people have mentioned that "My Sharona" was played in discos, and that surprises me greatly. I figured that DJs would be as likely to play that song as they would something by Pink Floyd. It just isn't a good song for dancing.

If I recall... the club closed down (i'm not kidding here) closed down by the end of August. Now keep in mind, I'm in my teens. This was a special Wednesday spot they set aside for youngsters under 18.

That sucked. Do you remember why that club closed? By the way, I have heard about many clubs having an under-18 night. That shows how popular disco was. I can't picture any of today's dance clubs having such a night, though I think it's a good idea.

Disco became a joke... all the disco sucks stickers on cars... It was fucked!! :evil:

The "disco sucks" movement was so stupid and pointless. If people didn't like disco, they simply shouldn't have listened to it. There were plenty of other types of music to listen to.

I betcha I bought that single within a few weeks that he played it... I'm sure I had a good reason. In fact I probably liked it for a month or so... before radio played it so much that you wanted to turn the station or play a cassette tape.

And people thought all the disco hits were overplayed. I remember how much the song got played, and I agree that it was way too much. And to my knowledge, none of the other songs on "Get The Knack" were released as singles (or at least were hits). The embracing of the Knack would end up being short-lived.

By the way... I wasn't considering that thread a joke... we're having a good discussion.

I'm glad you didn't think so. That was not my intention at all. And I agree with you about the discussion. I like it myself.

By no means did the song kill disco... but it sure turned some heads & got the ball rolling for things to come.

"My Sharona" was just a rock song that happened to be a big hit. It wasn't the first hit rock song during the disco era. I don't feel that they affected music as much as other people claim. Disco probably would have lost its popularity anyways. As sad as it is, nothing was meant to last forever. And as I already mentioned, the Knack themselves wouldn't be popular for long. People would eventually pass them by and move on to the next big thing, whatever it was. But the Knack are still active. They refuse to give up, and they shouldn't.

:evil:

[efunk_adelic]

I just remembered a few more things :)

the club was on Wednesday.... designed for teens under 18.

Instead of it being disco... they changed the entire club/restaurant to country :lol: ... so, it was just a coincidence if my guess is right.. but, as successful as it was.. teen night was no longer there... another club that I went to a few times was also short lived and closed down also. I remember dancing to Stomp - Brothers Johnson.

When I turned 18... I was finally able to go to this club that I wanted to dance at in the first place... I eventually got the job (DJing) just a few months later..