======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ==== ====== ====== ===== ==== ======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ==== ====== ====== ===== ====
At the risk of sounding like the protagonist of our favorite weekly column, I just have to say it: I feel like I was born in the wrong generation. While my peers are out there waiting for the latest release from their new favorite DJ on SoundCloud, all I’m trying to do is figure out if my love of disco is more like thunder or lightning. All I’ve been able to determine so far is that it’s very frightening.
This did not just happen out of the blue. It’s not entirely my fault that I caught the night fever. I was introduced to disco at a young age, mainly because my mother thought it would be funny to make the ringtone on her Motorola Razr the chorus of “It’s Raining Men” in an attempt to embarrass my brother, father, and myself. Her plan could not have backfired more.
As soon as she received her first call, I was hooked on the genre, and ready to celebrate the good times. By the time college hit, I was so excited to show all my friends the timeless classics of our parents’ generation that I just couldn’t hide it. Spoiler alert: I lost control and I think I liked it.
If you can’t tell already, I’m under the impression that everyone deep down has a soft spot for disco music. It is truly everlasting, and can be enjoyed by anyone, young or old. Don’t believe me? Just the other night I put on some music of the groovy variety right before my mom, dad, and myself sat down for dinner. Without a second’s hesitation, my parents lit up like a disco inferno and started dancing the night away. It was truly a pleasure to witness them acting like they were back in their twenties again, especially when my mom started belting out every damn lyric to “Brick House.”
I love disco even though I may not have known what the lyrics meant at a young age — and in some cases still don’t. Just take the immortal words of Chazz Michael Michaels to heart: “No one knows what it means, but it’s provocative! It gets the people going!” And hey, you know what? That’s the way (Un-huh Un-huh) I like it.
Still skeptical? Next party or pre-game you’re attending, just commandeer the aux cord and toss on a little “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees or the 1982 original version of Gloria Gaynor’s classic hit, “I Will Survive.” Watch in awe as the attendees of the party start to realize that even though Billie Jean may not be their lover, they’re ready to “Boogie Oogie Oogie” till they just can’t boogie no more.
Better yet, throw the “Disco Forever” playlist from Spotify on shuffle and your party will go from zero to far out so fast that before you know it you’ll be doing a little dance, making a little love, and getting down tonight.
All I can ask of you is to rock the boat a little bit, and give disco a shot if you haven’t already. So take it to the max, do the hustle on down to funky town, and have yourself some good times. If you need me, just look for the Super Freak on the dance floor..
Respond
Post Grad Brad
Recent post grad whose name is Brad. That pretty much sums it up. Email me at postgradbrad@gmail.com.
Put on some September by Earth, Wind, and Fire and I’m a white guy dancing machine. Great article