Disco Inferno: When disco dominated the charts
The 1970s were a time for polyester suits, platform shoes, giant gold chain necklaces and heading out on the dance floor to “shake your groove thing” to one of the many disco songs that seemed to form an endless chain marching from your car radio.
The disco era reached its peak July 21, 1979 — 45 years ago today, July 21st 2024 — when the top six spots in that week’s Billboard Hot 100 were all occupied by disco singles. At No. 1: Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls.”
Donna Summer's 'Bad Girls'
Donna Summer was a huge success: She scored Top-10 hits in the 1970s with “Love to Love You Baby,” “I Feel Love” “Last Dance,” “MacArthur Park” and “Heaven Knows.”
In 1977, she was working in the offices of her record label, Casablanca Records in Los Angeles, when she sent her secretary over to Sunset Boulevard on an errand.
When she returned, the secretary informed Summer that she had been detained by police, who had assumed she was a prostitute.
This angered Summer. But it would inspire her to write a song for her 1979 album. “Bad Girls” would become the album’s title track.
Billboard Hot 100, Top 6 for July 21, 1979
Six of the top spots that week were all Disco singles.
1. Bad Girls, Donna Summer
2. Ring My Bell, Anita Ward
3. Hot Stuff, Donna Summer
4. Good Times, Chic
5. Makin' It, David Naughton
6. Boogie Wonderland, Earth, Wind & Fire with the Emotions
52 No. 1 Hits of the Disco Era
Love's Theme, Love Unlimited Orchestra. Feb. 9, 1974, one week at number one.
TSOP (The Sound of Philadeplhia), MSFB and the Three Degrees. April 20, 1974, one week at number one.
Rock the Boat, The Hues Corporation. July 6, 1974, one week at number one.
Rock Your Babty, George McCrae. July 13, 1974, two weeks at number one.
Kung Fu Fighting, Carl Douglas. Dec. 7, 1974, 2 weeks at number one.
The Hustle, Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony. July 26, 1975, one week at number one.
Jive Talkin', Bee Gees. Aug. 9, 1975, two weeks at number one.
Get Down Tonight, KC and the Sunshine Band. Aug. 30, 1975, one week at number one.
That's the Way (I like It), KC and the Sunshine Band. Nov. 22, 1975, one week at number one.
Fly, Robin, Fly, Silver Convention. Nov. 29, 1975, 3 weeks at number one.
Love Machine, The Miracles. March 6, 1975, one week at number one.
December, 1963 (Oh What A Night), The Four Seasons. March 14, 1976, three weeks at number one.
Disco Lady, Johnnie Taylor. April 3, 1976, 4 weeks at number one.
Boogie Fever, The Sylvers. May 15, 1976, one week at number one.
Love Hangover, Diana Ross. May 29, 1976, two weeks at number one.
You Should Be Dancing, Bee Gees. Sept. 4, 1976, one week at number one.
(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty, KC and the Sunshine Band. Sept. 11, 1976, one week at number one.
A Fifth of Beethoven, Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band. Oct. 9, 1976, one week at number one.
Disco Duck, Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots. Oct. 16, 1976, one week at number one.
Dancing Queen, ABBA. April 9, 1977, one week at number one.
Don't Leave Me This Way, Thelma Houston. April 23, 1977, one week at number one.
I'm Your Boogie Man, KC and the Sunshine Band. June 11, 1977, one week at number one.
Got to Give It Up, Marvin Gaye. June 25, 1977, one week at number one.
I Just Want to Be Your Everything, Andy Gibb. July 30, 1977, four weeks at number one.
Best of My Love, The Emotions. Aug. 20, 1977, five weeks at number one.
Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band, Meco. Oct. 1, 1977, 2 weeks at number one.
How Deep Is Your Love, Bee Gees. Dec. 24, 1977, two weeks at number one.
Stayin' Alive, Bee Gees. Feb. 4, 1978, four weeks at number one.
Night Fever, Bee Gees. March 18, 1978, 8 weeks at number one.
If I Can't Have You, Yvonne Elliman. May 13, 1978, one week at number one.
Shadow Dancing, Andy Gibb. July 17, 1978, 7 weeks at number one.
Miss You, The Rolling Stones. Aug. 5, 1978, 7 weeks at number one.
Boogie Oogle Oogle, A Taste of Honey. Sept. 9, 1978, one week at number one.
MacArthur Park, Donna Summer. Nov. 11, 1978, 3 weeks at number one.
Le Freak, Chic. Dec. 9, 1978, 6 weeks at number one.
Da Ya Think I'm sexy, Rod Stewart. Feb. 10, 1979, four weeks at number one.
I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor. March 10, 1979, three weeks at number one.
Tragedy, Bee Gees. March 24, 1979, two weeks at number one.
Knock on Wood, Amil Stewart. April 21, 1979, one week at number one.
Heart of Glass, Blondie. April 28, 1979, one week at number one.
Hot Stuff, Donna Summer. June 2, 1979, 3 weeks at number one.
Love You Inside Out, Bee Gees. June 9, 1979, one week at number one.
Ring My Bell, Anita Ward. June 30, 1979, two weeks at number one.
Bad Girls, Donna Summer. July 15, 1979, 5 weeks at number one.
Good Times, Chic. Aug. 18, 1979, one week at number one.
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Michael Jackson. Oct. 13, 1979, one week at number one.
Rise, Herb Apart. Oct. 20, 1979, two weeks at number one.
No More Tears (Enough is Enough), Barbra Strelsand and Donna Summer. Nov. 24, 1979, two weeks at number one.
Rock With You, Michael Jackson. Jan. 19, 1980, 4 weeks at number one.
Funkytown, Lipps Inc. May 31, 1980, 4 weeks at number one.
Upside Down, Diana Ross. Sept. 6, 1980, four weeks at number one.
Celebration, Kool & the Gang. Feb. 7, 1981, two weeks at number one.