MovieChat Forums > 54 (1998) Discussion > calling all discoheads, need song help

calling all discoheads, need song help

posted 19 years ago by 70s_child
14 replies | jump to latest

I thought I knew disco well but not enough to figure out the name of a particular song heard in this movie. OK, what is the name of the song heard when Shane walks into Studio for the first time? This is when the black girl at the coat check says to Shane "You want to check that body sugar" and the couple with the checkered face paint walks past. It's not on either soundtack CD so I had to resort to watching the music credits over and over. One song listed but not on the CDs is Kat Mandu's "The Break". Is this it?

[–] donnamartingraduate 19 years ago

Growing up in the 70's, I really loved disco.--Still do. I don't recall the scence you are referring to. Could you give me a couple of lyrics? Maybe I could help you with this. The movie was on Sunday nite, and I missed the first half. I'm pretty good with tunes. A couple of lyrics would really help.

[–] 70s_child 19 years ago

The lack of lyrics really makes this one a stumper. It's only heard for a brief time on screen before blending into "Keep On Dancin" as Shane works his way up to the balcony. I concede it may have been just an instrumental fill made up just for the movie, but it does sound like authentic late 70s disco.

[–] donnamartingraduate 19 years ago

I'll try to rent it and figure this out. Now you have got me curious!
I'm from the suburbs of Chicago, (south) and when I was in 5th or 6th grade, a Chicago DJ had a "disco demolition" where people from all over brought their disco albums to one of Chicagos's sports arenas, (I think it was Soldiers Field) to torch all the disco. I have been a closet disco lover since then, as disco "sucked" according to my peers back then.
I'll post a response when I get a chance to view the scene. Can you tell me when it takes place so I can scence select on the dvd?
Thanks, I'll do the best I can to help you. I know what it feels like to want to know the name of a song and can't place it.
Donna

[–] 70s_child 19 years ago

Enjoy re-watching it if only for the music. The song in question takes place as soon as Shane enters 54 for the first time (pretty early in the film). It's just after Steve makes him take his shirt off outside to get into the club. Keep your ears tuned in as soon as the door closes behind him and he begins taking in all the sights of the inside of the club for the first time. Like I said before, it's just a cool, fast instrumental break that you hear before it segues into "Keep On Dancin" as he starts ascending the staircase to go up to the balcony.

By the way it's a small world as I too was a youngster in Chicagoland in the 70s. I'm pretty sure disco demolition took place at old Comiskey Park. Thanks in advance for your help, but I got a feeling you will be stumped on this one too.

The Disco Duck

[–] donnamartingraduate 19 years ago

I rented this film over the weekend and reviewed the scene in question. I believe the song to be "filler music" often used to complete a scene. I don't recognize it specifically. But it does have some familiarity to it though. Such as the music of "Roller Boogie" and that of "Xanadu". (God, remember those movies???) Sorry I could not help you with this quandry. I did buy the soundrack to 54. It comes on 2 cd's. Volume 1 and 2. However, "Ain't seen nothin' yet" is not on the soundtrack. This song is heard towards the beginning before Shane ever goes to 54. They are driving around in someones car and the radio is on. Great movie, hope to own it someday.

[–] glennh69 19 years ago

Someone brought this up earlier in the "Anyone Know this Song?" thread on page 4:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120577/board/nest/27228702

In my opinion, the inclusion of "Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" (a song by "BTO" - Bachman Turner Overdrive) in the movie was a continuity error on the part of Mark Christopher. The song was released in 1974, three years before Studio even opened.

It's possible young kids would be listening to an "old, outdated" song in the car, but unlikely. Especially in the 70s, when fashions, music, etc were changing dramatically every year.

The probable reason BTO isn't on the soundtrack is that it was included only as an anecdote piece underscoring the contrast between the Jersey/Manhattan, glamour/mundane social circles. There's no way a DJ at Studio would play that song. The theme of the soundtrack was to include songs that would be played at the club.

Regarding the original question of this thread, I believe this an excerpt from a disco song originally released in the 70s, but "Coati Mundi" Hernandez (who was actually one of the DJs at the original club in the 70s and put the music together for the soundtrack & movie) and a few others can probably pinpoint exactly which song this is from.

As I mentioned in another thread, there were huge volumes of music heard only within the disco nightclub circuit that were never heard on the radio, or even made the transition to CD in the 80s. Except for rare copies of DJ tapes and LP collections, much of it lost forever.

[–] donnamartingraduate 19 years ago

Thanks for the tip. I grew up in the 70's, and one of my fondest memories are of the music. Riding around in the car with my parents with the radio on introduced me to so much during those times. I often tease my dad about the "Rumors" album, no I take that back. The Rumors 8 track he had in the car.
My mom was more of a Carpenters/Manilow fan. Carly Simon was on in the car quite often too. I'll be 37 in the fall and seeing 54 brought back alot of memories of disco for me. I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago, and when disco started to wane, a local DJ held a 'disco demolition' at Comiskey Park.
Everyone torched their disco albums. Disco lives on in many hearts, and wasn't understood by too many, but those who loved it really loved it! They should have a disco station like they have ones for classic rock. Although hearing
Dancing in the Dark by the Boss is on that station now, and hearing music from my high school days on a classic rock station really makes me feel old!
Thanks again for all your knowlege of the music in this film.

[–] glennh69 19 years ago

Donna, you are a rare breed. Someone who liked both rock AND disco during the 70s! Congratulations on your diverse taste. The roots of "disco" started in the early to mid-70s in the gay clubs of major cities as an offshoot of Motown-style pop.

The increased popularity of disco amongst radio and straight clubs by the late 70s represented the emergence of "gay" culture in mainstream America. This pinnacled by '78-'79 with the veneration of Studio 54 as a pop culture icon.

The "disco record burning" demagoguery in Chicago boiled down to a backlash by middle America against this creeping influence of gay culture into the mainstream.

I'm a little older, and was able to experience Studio during its peak. The memories are incredible, but I don't consider myself "stuck in the 70s". The music is wonderfully nostalgic, but it's not the only music I listen to. You're right about the magic of music in that it has the amazing ability to instantly transport you to another time & place.

[–] pasha913 19 years ago

OK -- Here are the answers:

The song as Shane walks in is called "The Break" by Kat Mandu. This is one of the finest, if not the finest instrumental disco song ever released. This song entered the billboard disco chart on 8/11/79, never hitting the hot 100. This was a #3 hit.

This song was a title song for a spanish disco show in the fall of 79 called fever.

I suugest you get this song at any cost.

The disco demolition was held in July 79 by a dj named Steve Daul -- who had a parady song "do you think Im disco" a take off on Rod Stewarts song.

[–] donnamartingraduate 19 years ago

Yes, the Dj's name was Steve Dahl. He had a sidekick named Gary Meyer. God, those were the days!! I'm 37 now, and remenisce for the old days. Where can I find this particular recording? Is it available anywhere?
Thanks,
Donna

[–] btdroflet38 19 years ago

Hi Donna,

I'm in my 40's, but was not old enough to appreciate disco til much, much later...I love those old dance tunes like "Kung Fu Fighting", "Shake Your Groove Thing" and so forth...

I must be an old fogey to some, eh?

Cheers,

Brian

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] bicgus1 19 years ago

"Keep On Dancin'"
Performed by Gary's Gang
Written by Eric Matthews, Gary Turnier
Courtesy of Sam Records, Inc./Nervous Inc.

"The Boss"
Performed by Diana Ross
Written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson
Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.A.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

"Dance, Dance, Dance"
(Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
Performed by Chic
Written by Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers, Kenny Lehman
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

"Vertigo/Relight My Fire"
Written and Performed by Dan Hartman
Courtesy of Epic Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

"You Make Me Feel (Mighty Reel)"
Performed by Sylvester
Written by James Warrick and Sylvester Jones
Courtesy of Fantasy, Inc.

"Move On Up"
Performed by Destination
Written by Curtis Mayfield
Courtesy of Rhino Entertainment Company
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

"Love Machine (Part I)"
Performed by The Miracles
Written by Warren Moore and William Griffin
Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.A.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

"Contact"
Performed by Edwin Starr
Written by Edwin Starr, Robert Dickerson, Arthur Eugene Pulham II
Courtesy of Mercury Records
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

"Let's Start The Dance"
Performed by Bohannon
Written by Hamilton Bohannon
Courtesy of Bohannon Phase II Records

"Knock On Wood"
Performed by Mary Griffin
Written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper
Produced by Harry Wayne Casey & Bob Parr
Mary Griffin appears courtesy of Curb Records

"I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)"
Performed by Instant Funk
Written by Scott Miller, Kim Miller and Raymond Earle
Licensed by The Bethlehem Music Co., Inc.
Courtesy of Salsoul Record Corp.

"Young Hearts Run Free"
Performed by Candi Staton
Written by David Crawford
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

"Native New Yorker"
Performed by Odyssey
Written by Randi Linzer and Denny Randell
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label of BMG Entertainment

"Que Sera Mi Vida"
Performed by The Gibson Brothers
Written by Daniel Vangarde, Jean Kluger and Alex Francfort
Courtesy of Zagora Records

"If You Could Read My Mind"
Performed by Stars on 54
Featuring Ultra Naté, Amber and Jocelyn Enríquez
Written by Gordon Lightfoot
Produced by The Berman Brothers
Recorded and mixed by Dr. No & Touch

"Wishing On A Star"
Performed by Rose Royce
Written by Billie Calvin
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

"Heaven Must Have Sent You"
Performed by Bonnie Pointer
Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland Jr.
Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.A.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

"Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet"
Performed by Gonzalez
Written by Gloria R. Jones
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Special Markets

"Lovin' Is Really My Game"
Performed by Brainstorm
Written by Belita Woods and Trenita Womack
Licensed courtesy of Avant Garde Enterprises, Inc.

"Disco Nights (Rock Freak)"
Performed by Go
Written by Emanuel Leblanc, Herb Lane, Keith R. Crier, Paul Service
Courtesy of Arista Records., Inc.

"Found A Cure"
Performed by Ashford & Simpson
Written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
Courtesy of Hopsack & Silk Productions, Inc.
(Outside North America)

"Don't Leave Me This Way"
Performed by Thelma Houston
Written by Kenneth Gamble, Cary Gilbert, Leon Huff
Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.A.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

"Come To Me"
Performed by France Joli
Written by Tony Green
Courtesy of Unidisc Music Inc.

"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"
Performed by Santa Esmeralda
Written by Bennie Benjamin, Sol Marcus and Gloria Caldwell
Licensed from Music Sales Corp.
(O/B/O Premiere Music, France)

"Take Your Time (Do It Right)"
Performed by S.O.S. Band
Written by Harold Clayton and Sigidi
Licensed courtesy of Avant Garde Enterprises, Inc.

"Galaxy"
Performed by War
Written by S. Allen, H. Brown, M. Dickerson, L. Jordan, C. Miller, L. Oskar, H. Scott, J. Goldstein
Courtesy of MCA Records
Under license from Universal Special Markets

"Spank"
Performed by Jimmy 'Bo' Horne
Written by Ronald Smith
Courtesy of Rhino Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

"Lamento Borincano"
Performed by Salma Hayek
Written by Rafael Hernández (as Rafael Hernandez Marin)
Produced by Coati Mundi

"I Need A Man"
Performed by Grace Jones
Written by Pierre Papadiamandis (as P. Papadiamandis), P. Slade
Courtesy of Island Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

"Heart Of Glass"
Performed by Blondie
Written by Deborah Harry & Chris Stein
Courtesy of Chrysalis Records, a division of EMI
Under license from EMI-Capitol Special Markets

"Cherchez La Femme/Se Si Bon"
Performed by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band
Written by August Darnell, Stony Browder, Jr.
Courtesy of The RCA Records
Label of BMG Entertainment

"Fly Robin Fly"
Written by Sylvester Levay & Stephan Prager
Courtesy of Edition Butterfly/Roswitha Kunze
By Arrangement with Celebrity Licensing, Inc.

"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet"
Performed by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Written by Randy Bachman
Courtesy of Mercury Records
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

"The Break"
Performed by Kat Mandu
Written by Denis Lepage
Courtesy of Unidisc Music Inc.

"Hang On In There Baby"
Written and Performed by Johnny Bristol
Courtesy of Polydor Records
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

"The Night I Fly"
Performed by Nayobe Gomez
Written by Thelma Houston & Bunny Hull
Produced by Coati Mundi

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
Performed by Thelma Houston & Jacky Terrasson (as Jacky Terrasson)
Written by Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin
Produced by Coati Mundi and Susan Jacobs

"Pillow Talk"
Performed by Sylvia
Written by Sylvia Robinson & Michael Burton
Courtesy of Rhino Entertainment Company and Castle Communications

"Jingle Bells"
Performed by Marco Ribaldi
Courtesy of Promusic

"Bach's Minuet in G Major"
Performed by Janos Sebastyen Orchestra
Courtesy of Naxos of America

"Keep Boogien'"
Performed by Jay Snowfield
Written by Jay Snowfield

[–] hecklejecklelove 18 years ago

I was born in 1972 and growing up the first music I ever remember hearing was the top hits of the day from 1976 onwards. Being a kid I didnt get into the 'Disco sucks' thing. Plus, being in Australia there wasnt that much of a backlash anyway. At any rate, I loved disco, rock, singer songwriter and soul as a kid.

My memories would be a little different to most and the place and time these songs take me back to would be different as well...For example 'Your Moving Out Today' reminds me of laying awake in bed late at night with the radio on snooze so it would play for an hour and automatically turn off. Hearing 'Wish You Were Here' reminds me again, late of a night being awake as a storm blasted its way through my suburb. 'I Will Survive' and 'Disco Iinferno' remind me of early mornings listening to the radio as my Mum got ready for work. Most of the songs take me to a time when I was an only child of a broken home with a Mum who was struggling, but able to make life fun and the soundtrack to my life was the music pumping from my radio day and night.

Loved the 1970's a LOT...But I also enjoy music from the 80's, 90's and even today. So Im not 'stuck in the '70s', but I LOVE to visit often.

hjl

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