Disco

popular music industry, the disco genre has always polarised opinions. The subject of some quite literally explosive protests, many have hated disco for its supposed vapidity and homogeneity, and few have defended it. I will assert that the “disco sucks” movement was a populist declaration of difference and supposedly superior taste, musical purism built on racist, homophobic and hyper-masculine ideologies. My essay will be based on ideas from Richard Dyer’s In Defence of Disco (originally published in Gay Left magazine, 1979), as well as more recent writings analysing Dyer’s work. I will also use Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of distinction and cultural capital found in Distinction, as well as Nicholas…

1. Dyer is literally doing what his title expresses and is attempting to defend disco from those who accuse it as a capitalist form of music. He also lists the positive aspects of disco, not only the music but also the culture surrounding it. Through the ‘debunking’ of capitalism and almost humanizing and describing the characteristics of disco that relate it to other forms of music, including those that oppose the nature of disco, and to human experience, including queer movements, he makes his…

Seventies Dancing Intro: The dances of the seventies were all about disco music. Disco music features soaring vocals over a steady beat, an eighth note or sixteenth note hi-hat with an open hi-hat on the off-beat, and a syncopated bass line. During the seventies, disco clubs, which were very common, were filled with disco dancers. Common dance moves included “The Hustle,” “The Bump,” “YMCA,” and many others. Detailed description of dance and the music: Disco dance is moving to music with your…

The Disco Era and the Bee Gees The disco era in the United States began in the year 1975 and lasted for 5 years, until 1980. It was seen as an alternative to rock music and is characterized by the dancing rhythm and use of electronic instruments to create a somewhat repetitive sound. The name came from the European “discotheque”, a word known and used in the 1960s in Europe where clubs were devoted to dancing. In order to enter discotheques in the United States it was common for you to have to…

the music industry by using some of the same tools that musicians used to create disco music in the 1970s. When comparing both disco and electronic dance music, not much has changed. Obviously the recording methods of songs has become better and more efficient, as a large portion of this musical genre is created using computer software rather than physical recording equipment. EDM also stays true to its roots by following four beats per measure, but in order to appeal to modern music consumers,…

Rod Temperton has been called pop music's "Invisible Man" because few knew his name. But his songs were megahits in the 1970s and 80s. Along with big hair, wide lapels and bell bottoms, his music helped define the disco era. Temperton died of cancer last week in London, according to a statement from his publisher. He was 66. Temperton wrote such hits as "Thriller," "Rock with You," and "Boogie Nights." But even disco had songs that were layered with great harmonies and robust horn parts.…

Alyssa Potts Period 4 22 March 2017 1970s Popular Culture/Music The 1970s pop culture is a blend of both the 1960s and an individual movement impacted by the Vietnam War. It was a pivotal time in history as fashion, cars, movies, TV shows, music, sports, and disco dancing all shaped the coming decades. There was a tremendous amount of growth in the economy in the 1970s with inflation being so high. The 1970s brought the end of the Vietnam War, colorful disco fashion, and a television in every…

liberation are the characteristics of the Disco era. No complications and a carefree attitude defined Disco. Individualism as well as empowerment were at the forefront of the movement, characterized in songs like “I will survive” By Gloria Gaynor or the Village people “I am what I am”. The age of Discotheques 1974 thru 1981, arguably, originated in the underground gay clubs of New York. it is said Disco is dead, but the music lives on in the hearts of many. As a generation of individuals,…

group” (Powers 2). The most infamous disco club was Studio 54. This place was regularly packed and hosted numerous amounts of celebrities. Studio 54 earned a reputation for being snobbish and elitist, the epitome of “Me Decade” narcissism (Mankwoski 6). The 2001 Odyssey discotheque was a more conventional way people experienced the club. Discotheques were notorious for embracing drug use and having leniency towards sexual activities. Both Gay and Straight discotheques had individuals attending…

EDM as it is called today, found it 's roots in the evolution of the disco scene from the 1970 's with artists like Giorgio Moroder and the track “I Feel Love” he produced for Donna Summer in 1977 which would be the first track to have a completely synthesized backing track. This would help create an electronic sound that would evolve through the 1970 's and help create electro music from the 1980 's. By the late 80 's, house music would take over the club scene in Europe where people would…