A dancing dozen as twelve top classic rock acts deliver their disco strut 

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As a child of the ’70s and ’80s, I’ve witnessed the fascinating evolution of music, and no era was more captivating than the disco-infused period when rock bands dared to venture into the dance floor.

Lately, I’ve been penning down thoughts about tunes featuring remarkable basslines. This got me musing over how they frequently infused a disco or dance vibe, regardless of the original style or genre of the performer.

Occasionally, artists may undergo a significant shift in their artistic style. For instance, this could be observed in bands that were part of new wave, punk, or classic rock genres. This got me contemplating tunes where a band abandoned their main style to embrace the disco rhythm and dance until dawn.

Over the past while, I’ve been examining bands that transitioned into rock music successfully. There are numerous examples of this, but I found myself growing disillusioned when I came across some suggestions made by others. These lists often featured tracks from Abba and Electric Light Orchestra, among others. While we could delve into what defines a rock act, it’s clear that Abba with their “Dancing Queen” and many other well-known pop songs were far from concealing their sequins and glitter.

Twelve classic rock acts add a disco twist

To avoid any confusion let’s keep it simple with this list of 12 undeniably classic rock artists or bands. Each had at least one, probably more disco-style song which was a digression from their normal core style of music. The songs were all pretty good too, whether you like a disco boogie or not. 

David Bowie

David Bowie, the initial among the twelve, is known for exploring numerous styles and inventing new characters at times. His first foray into the realm of the glitterball can be traced back to his “Diamond Dogs” album in 1974. The song “1984” carries a distinct disco rhythm and feel.

As a gamer, I’d say: Man, that tune was fast and funky, a far cry from the glam rock and proto-punk vibes of Bowie’s past chart-toppers. Yet, he wasn’t one to stick to the same groove forever. A year later, he dropped “Young Americans,” dipping his toes in disco. Fast forward to 1983, and he was back on the dancefloor with “Let’s Dance” as the album title track.

Queen

The 1982 album “Hot Space” by Queen ventured into uncharted territory for them, with a mix of electronic, dance, and disco music that was unexpected in their usual rock style. Songs like “Body Language” and “Under Pressure” were among the tracks that showcased this new direction on the album.

In an unexpected move, the tune aligned with one of their most successful tracks and a beloved disco classic, “Another One Bites The Dust.” Released as a single from the album The Game in 1980, this hit topped charts worldwide, reaching number one in numerous countries, including the US and UK. It’s clear that the disco genre was quite profitable for Queen on this particular song.

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Two top classic rock bands dance to the music

Yes

Listening to Yes’s extensive collection of prog-rock albums and the multiple band members they’ve had, it might initially seem unlikely that they would venture into disco and dance music. However, “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” demonstrates their versatility, a trait that may be partly attributed to personnel shifts within the band.

Trevor Rabin joined the band Yes as the primary composer for this track from their 1983 album 90125. Trevor Horn, who had re-joined the band as producer for the album, also contributed to the song’s sound. However, is it a disco song? The answer is yes, supported by its widespread chart success, which was uncommon for a Yes single, but most notably by reaching number three on the US Billboard Dance/Disco chart. So, we can say there’s a double confirmation that this track has a disco vibe.

Led Zeppelin

Another “are you serious” moment. Led Zeppelin and disco or dance music. The heavy masters of so many great rock songs. Can it be so? 

As a fan, I can quickly verify their greatness by giving a few tracks a spin. Go ahead and switch to a couple of songs from them, such as “Dancing Days” off the 1973 album “Houses Of The Holy.” This tune embodies classic rock ‘n’ roll with a catchy rhythm for dancing, just as its title implies.

If you’re still not convinced, consider listening to “Trampled Underfoot” from the 1975 album Physical Graffiti. From the get-go, it features a groovy funky beat that sets the tone for a song perfect for dancing. The breaks between the vocals themselves are filled with danceable sections too.

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Three more examples from a variety of rockers

Pink Floyd

From the legendary progressive rock band Pink Floyd, another unexpected groove – yes, indeed! They may not have been conventionally known for boogie music, but with their chart-topping single “Another Brick In The Wall, Pt. 2”, its iconic chorus, and Roger Waters’ exceptional bassline, it all came together quite nicely. It might have been the song’s number one position on the charts that drew it to dance floors, or perhaps its popularity in discos that boosted its chart success.

Grateful Dead

If some of the other acts here were a surprise, it’s perhaps none more so than seeing the Grateful Dead.  Their title song from the 1978 album Shakedown Street delivers the surprise on record. The early intro has a similar feel to Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In The Wall”. There’s also a flavor of the Bee Gees “Saturday Night Fever” in the beat and rhythm, though without the falsetto vocals and in a more laid-back manner. It’s got a dance floor stomp air about it for sure.

Thin Lizzy

Among the bands I admire most is one that exudes an unbridled energy, with its rock and roll pulsating rhythm fueled by the distinctive twin lead guitar melodies. Their “Live And Dangerous” album beautifully encapsulates this essence. It’s hardly reminiscent of a disco band, isn’t it?

This is where their 1977 hit “Dancing Under the Moonlight (Ensnared by Its Limelight)” signals a shift. A renowned bass riff from Phil Lynott kick-starts the tune, and it’s a dance rhythm right off the bat that Lynott maintains throughout. John Helliwell of Supertramp adds an additional dance flavor with his saxophone in the background. Another fantastic track as another rock band embraces disco.

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Two serious classic songs and two more for fun

The Rolling Stones

There’s a debate among the band members about whether “Miss You” from the 1978 album Some Girls was originally intended to be a disco song or became one during studio recording. Keith Richards believes it was, while Ronnie Wood and Mick Jagger hold a different opinion. Charlie Watts remains neutral on the matter. To avoid stirring up more disagreements among the three reunited members, let’s steer clear of this topic.

Regardless of the specifics, it’s clear that “Miss You” carries an unmistakable disco vibe. While there are certainly blues elements woven in as well, they represent the band’s deep-rooted musical history. This song stands as a testament to the band’s ability to evolve, or perhaps just a reflection of their prolonged enjoyment of nightlife.

Kiss

It’s not surprising that, given their diverse musical explorations and theatrical image, Kiss dabbled in disco with their 1979 hit “I Was Made For Loving You”. The song was a chart success and achieved gold status, but it didn’t sit well with long-time Kiss fans when initially released due to its disco style. However, during live performances, it’s often reworked into a more rock-inspired version that appeals to their audience.

Dee Gees

In 2021, Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters released an album called “Hail Satin,” which was a fun blend of hard rock and disco music – a unique twist that they’re known for. This album featured a collection of songs, some of which were their own take on popular dance floor tracks, as well as covers of Bee Gees hits.

Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa’s song “Dancin’ Fool” from his 1979 album release Sheik Yerbouti was meant to be a parody. It was intended to poke fun at, rather than have fun with, disco music. Did that pay off? Well in one way perhaps, the whole album didn’t have the best reception, but this song became one of Zappa’s top-selling singles. It was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Vocal. Quite an accolade even if it didn’t win. 

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2024-09-06 13:00