The Influence of 1970’s Disco Music

Posted: January 4th, 2023

The Influence of 1970’s Disco Music

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The Influence of 1970’s Disco Music

The rise of disco in the 1970s, especially in North America, Europe and Oceania, saw the form of music becoming one of the significant varieties of the decade, particularly in the mid-to-late 1970s. Other types of music prevailed at the same time, such as soul, jazz, funk, and fusion (Cochrane, 2019). The period offered many African-American composers the chance to come up with compositions that attracted not only black audiences but whites as well (Cochrane, 2019). Black American artists and groups such as Donna Summer, Van McCoy, Sylvester, and Boney M produced works that continue to influence the production of music up to today. The disco music offered a new way of dancing, which still dominates today, and provided the LGBTQ group the chance to express their feelings through songs, which is still apparent in modern society. The use of DJs in contemporary day clubs and musical events traces its origins to the 1970s, where DJs served a vital purpose in playing the music. Music composers, producers, and audiences should spare considerable time to understand how the 1970s disco music impact on production, singing, and related musical practices today. 

Impact on Dancing

Disco is undoubtedly one of the highly influential musical and cultural movements of the 1970s. Disco served as an avenue through which social dancing became widely practiced and famous again after becoming suppressed in the final parts of the 1960s. Disco, therefore, served as an avenue for dancing a well-known and widely accepted act worldwide, but it played a fundamental function in introducing a new form of dancing, often referred to as freeform dancing (Mattera, 2012). Before the disco became so overwhelming, the dominant nature of dancing involved a woman and a man dancing. Before disco became widely acceptable, people going to various musical venues needed to be accompanied by someone of the opposite sex, and even if a person got into the place without a female companion, they had to find a partner to enter the dance floor (Mattera, 2012). Discos, however, introduced a new era where a person could join the dance floor as an individual, which permitted a new form of expression and freedom. Nonetheless, the new way of dancing introduced by discos also allowed people to get the experience of being part of a massive crowd for the initial time. Donna Summer music, for example, introduced a new touch to dancing that still dominates today. Martens (2012) write that present day’s pop singers and dance producers accept that Summer’s music set the pace and tone for what is today the most overriding aesthetic in pop, which is dance music. Today, the form of dancing takes the form that was introduced in the 1970s. Summer’s 1970s songs such as “I Feel Love”, “Hot Stuff” and “Love to Love You Baby” attracted so many people with the powerful beats that encouraged vigorous and freestyle dancing (Martens, 2012). A person visiting a night club or any music venue for that matter today does not have to be in the company of others so long as they can move their body to the sound of the song being played (Mattera, 2012). In other words, the disco music of the 1970s can be said to have opened new forms of dancing that are still applicable in the current societies, a change that can be attributed to the happenings of the 1970s.

Impact on the LGBTQ Community

Today members of the LGBTQ community can release songs that advocate for their sexual orientations without any fear, and this freedom is attributed to the opportunities presented in the 1970s disco music. New York, for example, forbade two men from dancing until 1971 when disco music started to rampant, allowing people to dance in crowds, thus rekindling the gay community’s opportunity to openly express their feelings (Wagner, 2013). The disco music that surfaced in the 1970s provided a new avenue for social liberation as the crowds attending the music clubs were so much mixed with mostly African Americans and Latino Americans constituting a large group of people attending the galas. Wagner (2013) informs that the rhythmic beating of funk and soul mostly played in disco night clubs and belonged to the gays, the minority, and the population of depressed African Americans seeking solace. Artists such as Sylvester James, commonly referred to as Sylvester, provided new freedom and chance for the gay population in American society, especially after the artist released his famous hit You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) in 1978 (Varga, 2017). The songs that played in the discos in the 1970s advocating for the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ community have a significant effect on music production today because no one has the right to castigate music channeled towards the community, or even stop a gay or homosexual from composing music (Wagner, 2013). The foundation laid by disco music in the 1970s does not only explain why the LGBTQ population now features prominently in the music sector, but also in other areas such as politics, the film sector, and many other areas.

DJs

Today disk jockeys popularly referred to as DJs play fundamental functions in directing how music plays in a musical gathering, radio station, or any other event where music is needed. The DJs changed tunes from one track record to the other and created mixed versions of the songs, which made listening songs more appealing and enjoyable (Buckley, 2013). Chic that is presently referred to as Nile Rodgers & Chic is an example of an American band that always had a DJ during their performances. The band that gained much fame in the 1970s because of compositions such as “Dance, Dance, Dance” (1977) and “I Want Your Love” impressed people with their performance that were so lively thanks to the DJ who added some effects to the vocals and beats (Strong, 2003). A similar scenario exists today where DJs are essential aspects of a musical event in the way they change songs, mix and create vocal effects that make the show more enjoyable.

Effects on Modern Production and Producers

Like any other movements established in the 1970s, strong effects of the music created in the 70s continue to serve as a significant source of inspiration and influence even though some thinkers believe that the disco played in the era has not been resuscitated. Wagner (2013) writes that the original form of disco could not be revitalized from the original time. Today, however, it is still possible to watch and listen to music that brings the feeling of the 1970s disco music through the use of electronic instruments accompanied by vocals that bring disco music into light. Both black and white artists nowadays try to develop compositions that bring the 70s into life as it appears with hip-hop artists such as Kanye West, who use the funkiness that prevailed in the 1970s disco music (Wagner, 2013). In addition, the use of some instruments such as strings and other symphonic instruments today in pop culture music originates from the 1970s, which may be termed as a significant impact of the era on today’s production. Van McCoy who gained so much in the 70s because of his appealing compositions and great mastery of production offered him the chance to be one of the initial people to use the symphonic instruments and strings (Van McCoy Music, 2009). Also important, the disco music of the 70s contributed to the formation of music bands that are so rampant today. Bony M, for instance, was a widely glorified band in North America and Europe because of their prolific songs that they produced in the 70s such as “Baby Do You Wanna Bump” (1974) and “Take the Heat off Me” (1976) (Lodhi, 2019). The group travelled far and wide to perform and acting as a band offered Bony M so much fame globally. The infusion of olden forms of production in today’s composition indicates that people’s interest in the 1970s culture, where rock ‘n’ roll or disco dominated, has not diminished.

Conclusion

The disco music of the 1970s remains very instrumental today because current artists borrow valuable lessons from the past that they use to improve their modern productions. The form of dancing to music now takes the form that emerged with the 1970s disco, and today members of the LGBTQ population produce music that acknowledges their sexual orientation, thereby maintaining a trend that emerged in the 1970s. The 70s disco music introduced DJs and today, these professionals serve important roles during music events. Present artists also try to incorporate some of the instruments that were used in the 70s, and some bring out the effect perfectly in their compositions, while others form bands that became rampant during the same period.

References

Buckley, P. (2003). The rough guide to rock. London: Rough Guides.

Cochrane, N. (2019). Music sermon: Disco’s revenge – How disco demolition night sparked evolution in black music. Retrieved from https://www.vibe.com/2019/07/music-sermon-discos-revenge

Lodhi, N. (2019). Boney M’s Rasputin. Retrieved from https://today.rtl.lu/culture/music/a/1309692.html

Martens, T. (2012). Empowering pop diva defined the disco era. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-may-18-la-me-donna-summer-20120518-story.html

Mattera, A. (2012). How disco changed music for ever. Retrieved from

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/feb/26/disco-changed-world-for-ever

Strong, M. (2000). The great rock discography. Edinburgh: Mojo Books. 

Varga, G. (2017). Disco, widely ridiculed in the 1970s, has had an enduring impact. Retrieved from https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sd-et-music-disco-impact-20171028-story.html

Van McCoy Music, 2009). Van McCoy (1940-1979): Still touching the world with his music. Retrieved from http://vanmccoymusic.com/van/home.htm

Wagner, A. (2013). 70s inspiration of the modern day music and art. Retrieved from https://www.vice.com/en_au/article/3b7qk3/70s-inspiration-of-the-modern-day-music-and-art