Paris Playlist #9 : Disco!

"Burn baby burn. Disco inferno!

Burn baby burn. Burn that mother down!"

Last week Billy Ellis died. You know him best as the lead singer on the song Disco Inferno (1978). While I came of age in the 80s, I'm a 70s child. I can still clearly remember the wild dance parties my parents threw, in our apartment on Lake Shore Drive. Although my sister and I had 'officially' been sent to bed, we would creep down the hallway and crouch alongside one side of the doorway to watch my parents and their friends party, dancing the night away - there was no way that we could sleep with all of that wonderful music blasting in the other room. And more often than not, my sister and I would wind up dancing with everyone else, in our pajamas.

Wild jungle beats, silly infectious lyrics, outrageous fashion, people of all shapes, sizes and persuasions invited to shake their booties - what wasn't there to love about Disco? So in honor of Billy and all of those glorious treasured girlhood memories, for this Paris Playlist I invite you to discover (or re-discover) the wild, colorful, free, all-welcoming and wonderful world of Disco:

Disco Inferno - The Trammps

This Time - Jackie Moore

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

Ring My Bell - Anita Bell

Shame - Evelyn "Champagne" King

Heaven Knows - Donna Summer

Love's Theme - Barry White

Keep It Comin' Love - K.C. & the Sunshine Band

More Than A Woman - the Bee Gees

Everybody Dance - Chic

Love Hangover - Diana Ross

Let's All Chant - Michael Zager Band

Turn the Beat Around - Vicki Sue Robinson

You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) - Sylvester

*She's my ultimate favorite - get everything she ever recorded - DIVA!

Okay I've lit the spark, you can take it from here. Just remember: leave all of your hangups and preconceived notions...elsewhere, and invest in a spangly pair of platform shoes as well as at least one feather boa. Something with fringe and major cleavage is always a good idea too. I see a Disco themed dance party in your future (in mine too ;-) In the meantime, here's a little something to whet your appetite:

You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

Sylvester

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple

Feeling mighty real!