4 Iconic 70s Party Songs That Will Make Any Baby Boomer Want To Dance
American Songwriter highlights four 1970s dance tracks chosen for their enduring feel-good, party-ready appeal to Baby Boomers. The selections span disco and pop, while noting the different stories behind how each song was made and received.
– ‘Heart of Glass’ by Blondie: its disco influence initially alienated some fans, despite becoming a major hit.
– ‘That’s The Way (I Like It)’ by KC & The Sunshine Band: the band channelled enthusiasm from its earlier success, ‘Get Down Tonight’.
– ‘Turn The Beat Around’ by Vicki Sue Robinson: originally intended for another R&B group, it was eventually offered to Robinson for her debut album.
– ‘Blame It On The Boogie’ by The Jacksons: written for Stevie Wonder, it became an upbeat showcase for the group.
- Four 1970s songs selected for nostalgic dance-floor appeal.
- Blondie faced criticism for embracing disco.
- Several tracks had unexpected paths to their performers.
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The 1970s saw disco and dance-pop become major parts of popular music in the United States and beyond. Built around prominent beats, repeated hooks and music designed for clubs and parties, the style attracted large audiences while sometimes dividing fans of rock and other genres.
The artists linked to these songs came from different corners of the music industry. Blondie began as a New York new-wave band, KC & The Sunshine Band were closely associated with disco, Vicki Sue Robinson was a singer making her first album, and the Jacksons were the group formed by the Jackson brothers after leaving Motown.
Songwriting and recording decisions could shape a track’s later reputation. Some dance hits were originally written for other performers or were seen as a change of direction, showing how songs that became closely identified with one artist could have taken a different path.