Why was disco music such a big hit in the 70s?
There will never be another decade like the 1970s, the Decade of Disco. So, what really made disco such a hit? Was it the free use and availability of drugs or was it a major turning point for music in America? Some really great songs and artists came out of that era, that will never be duplicated in our lifetime. Question: In your opinion, what made disco music so popular in the 1970s?
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27 Answers
It gave people an opportunity to do this
It was just its time. Social culture and music came together to make dancing popular.
Must’ve been the drugs.
And let’s be thankful that it won’t likely repeat.
I wish it was still the disco era. I would kill to go to an Earth Wind and Fire show.
Here is a thought. if you notice in most of the movies and films of that era, people dressed to the nines to dance. clothing of the day included leisure suits and shiny sequels.
Because John Travolta was so sexy in that white leisure suit outfit. Stayin’ Alive!
Lucy, your video example is exactly what i am talking about. notice the clothing worn by Peaches and Herb? nice leisure suit and sequels everywhere.
BoBo, another great example. in the background, notice the nice clothes everyone was wearing. leisure shirts and leisure suits for the men.
@john65pennington I had a lot of fun in the 70’s! Single and lived in Memphis…probably too much fun. There was a great disco place on Popular Ave called Chesterfield’s! Closed that place down too many times dancing and flirting with the ladies. They had a dart board and loved to throw darts…. It was a great time in my life. Oh, the memories.
Each decade has featured its own music, dancing, and fads, driven by the young generation rebelling against the old. Think the Roaring Twenties (flapper girls and the Charleston), the ‘40s (bobby soxers, big band, Sinatra), and the ‘50s (Elvis, rock and roll). Lucky us—we’ve got Justin Bieber and “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2010.
And by the way, I loved disco—but only in later decades and currently on my iPhone. I still think “Disco Inferno” and disco stuff by the Bee Gees sounds great.
@Austinlad well, we’ve also got Josh Groban, and at least until recently we had Pavarotti. It’s not all bad.
Absolutely right, @CyanoticWasp. I felt a bit guilty writing that last slightly snide sentence. There’s a lot of great stuff around.
BoBo, how about that big rotating, shiny, mirrored ball in the middle of the floor throwing off the lights that hit you smack in the face? i liked that decade because of the originality of not only the music, but the fantastic display of lights that always put you “in the mood”. never again, my friend.
nope, never again…. you are right about the lights… but, the music made me want to dance! Those were great times!
Also, back then, the apartment life was the thing…every apartment had a party room to dance and have fun. Everyone knew everyone. Not like today.
Keep those good memories, they may never happen again.
not a doubt about that John! Today, I will just stick to a good slow dance song!
Me, too. at 66, my disco days are truly over. i can still pat my foot pretty good to the music, but thats about it. good times, great oldies, great memories. carry them with you always.
LOLL….ditto!!!!!!!!! Me three! I’ll be 64 next month and glad to be here.
My mother a few days ago said, “if i knew i would going to live to be almost 100, i would have taken better care of myself!” Loll
American music you could dance to with some grace and style. It seemed like a natural progression from more formal ballroom style dancing. Disco could be done as partners holding each other, partners not holding each other, and there were line dances. Now it is hip hop crap! There is no grace in jumping and bumping.
Put on your headphones or crank up the speakers, stand up and click on this link to Jive Talkin’ by the Bee Gees, and honestly tell me that you don’t go into disco mode. Need there be any other explanation?
There’s a stage show that’s a musical revue of the 70’s—runs in basically chronological order. Music SUCKED in the first half of the 70’s (with a few, notable, exceptions). Disco hit, and as bizzare as it was, it was far better than what came before.
cocain and studio 51 (I thnk) a dance club in New York.
Not everybody thought disco was good. My friends and I all had t-shirts which said “disco sucks!”
I’m not sure, it set the stage for alot of future music, including many hits today. I remember as a small kid going to the discos and dances. The music brings back many pleasant childhood memories for me. Yes the 70’s will never be duplicated for the quality of music which came from that decade. I only wish I would have been a little older during that time but I still remember when disco was big.
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