The literally was THE LAST SONG to play in most nightclubs “in the day”! Donna is a true icon. I would say her and he Bee Gees are THE Icons for Disco❤️
“MacArthur’s Park” is the song that is her definitive work. She hits some of the highest notes in music history. You need this song in your life as it can elicit tears of appreciation.
Although the media called her the Queen of Disco, the LATE, GREAT Donna Summer could song ANY genre of music. If you saw her live performances, she could belt out notes EFFORTLESSLY. Not long before, she passed away from lung cancer (never smoked) at age 63, she could sing all of her hits in the original key. Her voice never changed, a true gift from God.
Sometimes, one can mistake her because she could fool you. The Wanderer, Nightlife, and Eyes are song examples of this. Normally, when she sings in her usual belting voice, that's when she's most identifiable. Last Dance, Hot Stuff and She Works Hard For The Money are some examples of this.
Donna has 3 daughters. The youngest, Amanda Sudano Ramirez (pure and angelic voice, just like her mom), sings with her husband Abner Ramirez and they go by the name JOHNNYSWIM. A few years ago, when their oldest son Joaquin was still a toddler, they showed in an instagram video where they were playing this song and immediately upon hearing that beautifully silky voice over synth and strings, Joaquin (dancing around in the living room) stops in his tracks and with excitement, in his squeaking little voice, said 'Gamma?!' Oh! My heart! It melted. He never got to meet his grandmother, but he knew her through her music. I thought that to be a beautiful connection his mother and father helped to give him that will be as timeless as the song itself. That one moment has stayed with me since and now every time I hear this intro, I remember it.
Richard Henderson The inspiration for Summer to write the song came after one of her assistants was offended by a police officer who thought she was a street prostitute. Too funny. Wiki about the song.
No autotune here...What you hear from her on record is what you heard from her live. This woman could absolutely blow!!! Also, I'm surprised you guys have not reacted to Bad Girls yet. My absolute favorite by her.
"Last Dance" by Donna Summer is the only disco song to ever win the Oscar for Best Original Song - 1978, from the disco movie "Thank God It's Friday", starring Jeff Goldblum & Debra Winger.
The version in this video is an edit of this version: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_CDJzQO76FM.html. It's missing the awesome bridge...
Before Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston was Donna Summer’s powerhouse voice. Her ability to effortlessly hold a note with such strength behind it was incredible. It is hard to believe that she suffered from crippling stage fright. You never would have known by her amazing performances. Two of my favorite songs of hers are On The Radio and Heaven Knows.
This song started a trend for Donna and in Disco.. a slow luscious intro..then the beat drops and the fun begins!! There is a 7 minute version of this song as well!! PLEASE check out MacArthur Park - the 6 minute album version, Dim all the Lights, On The Radio, and Enough is Enough!!
You can ask anyone between the ages of 50 and 70, this was LITERALLY the last song played at every party, gathering, wedding etc. When it came on EVERYONE jumped up and started dancing, knowing the music would stop after this song. When this song was over, the party was over and we all left in a great mood!
I cannot emphasize enough how massive a hit this was. Great at dances because it starts as a slow dance then turns in to a fast dance jam. Great reaction!
The Queen of Disco, indeed. But also of the Pop, Soul, and R&B, of the time!!! I was blessed to have seen Donna Summers presence unfold, as it happened. She brought Magic 🎩 ✨️!!
The undisputed QUEEN of disco!!! This is one rabbit hole worth exploring! Here are more bangers: Heaven Knows, I Feel Love, Hot Stuff, Bad Girls, On The Radio, She Works Hard For The Money...
Seconding what Bill says. I Feel Lover particularly was a landmark in music. The first all synthesized song. And it went to #2 in 1977, which for the time was insane!!!!
I have just discovered this station and I love how respectful you are to all the artists. These are songs from my childhood and I love to see new people discover them. Thanks you.
Donna Summer was the biggest female artist of the late 1970's and probably the only artist to have 3 double albums to hit number 1 back-to-back-to-back. She also replaced herself at number one on the Billboard singles chart, replacing "Hot Stuff" with "Bad Girls" in 1979. Although she was a huge star, her incredible voice has been highly under-rated and she doesn't get the same kind of props as a Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey. Great reaction!
RIP Donna Summer. Such an amazing vocalist, performer, and writer. She never got the credit she deserved. She is not just disco. You gotta react to She Works Hard For the Money
Donna is queen! This was performed years later on the show "Family Matters" when she played Aunt Oona from Altoona. I highly suggest her song that David Bowie said was his favorite "I Feel Love" and please do Talk Talk--Talk Talk. Thanks!
Ms. Donna was definitely EXCEPTIONAL! She was DEFINITELY THE QUEEN and reigned throughout the late seventies. I am glad you young folks have discovered and enjoy her as well. In last dance, you were given both the soft and sweet Donna followed by a big, high-octane dose of disco Donna. The music combined with the fabulous voice produced a massive hit and treat for our ears in 1978. This song is is majestic!
Yes yes yes you finally done it I love it great reaction guys to my favorite female artist of all time. I believe Donna Summer is terribly underrated and in my opinion she’s up there with the best ever thank you guys for reacting to this especially last dance!
Donna Summer was the queen of disco for a reason. Her voice is angelic and those beats are sinful. She had the disco jams and Diana Ross had the soulful disco songs. Two powerhouse performers.
Hi guys, at the beginning of this Donna Summers hit, when it was slow and tender, all us "old disco dudes" knew what was coming and were ready for your amazing reaction to the change to the disco tempo. She was definitely the Queen of Disco.
My ice skating ⛸ partner and I did a routine using this song during an amateur competition in the 70’s and we got disqualified for using disco music. The judges hated us but the audience loved us and booed when the disqualification was announced. Back then, ice skating ⛸ competitions were much more snobbish about themselves.
It was bittersweet. We knew that disco music was discouraged in competition but didn’t know it would disqualify us. And we were 14 at the time so it kinda crushed us. But, over time, we came to be proud of our bucking the system.
Queen of disco... before my mother passed when I was a kid, she used to blast this album while cleaning or whatever. So I have a special place in my heart for Donna Summers music.
Oh yeah I can definitely relate to that, I did the same thing. Made Saturday morning cleaning effortless. May your mom RIP and bless you and your family.
Donna Summer (R.I.P.) had the pipes and gave us some of the greatest songs...this being one of them! There is a longer version of this that contains another verse. You should check out the movie Thank God It's Friday (1978). She stars in it as an up and coming singer just trying to catch a break and her chance is to sing THIS song live for the dance contest that this club is having. The Commodores are also in it. Another is Teri Nunn who was the lead singer of Berlin. She's not a singer in this one but is trying to win the contest.
As a girl who loves to sing, Donna and also Olivia Newton John were my absolute idols, I wanted to be them. I was 9 when this song came out, I can't tell you how many many many hours I sang along to this song with my hairbrush as my mic.
I love the way she would start soft and build til your ears were pinned back. She's another example of effortless power. Now imagine that, with strobes and colored lights, disco balls and in some places, crazy lights in the floors... dancing.
Had the privilege of seeing Donna Summer in concert “back in the day”. This was supposed to be her finale, but then she came back and sang MacArthurPark as an encore! Absolutely amazing!
"Love to Love You Baby" is her most notorious song--especially the long 17-minute version. It's a song that got her noticed, but she went on to put out hit after hit in the late 70's.
One of the top disco songs was "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. But I'm sure even if you never reacted to it you do know it!! My favorite Donna Summers song is "On the Radio" it's not only a great sound but it tells a story!!