"She changed the face of pop music forever" - David Foster. Donna Summer does not get enough credit for who she really was in music. She gets dismissed as the "disco queen", which she was - queen of the genre. But she was also and more importantly Pop Music's first female mega star, selling millions worldwide and pushing the barriers by crossing into multiple genres. She was the first female and the first black artist to take 3 albums to the top of the Billboard 200 charts back to back. That accomplishment usually gets reduced to she was the first artist to have 3 #1 double albums (they just happened to be multi-platinum selling double albums). She was the first female artist to repeat having the #1 single and the #1 album simultaneously, on the Billboard pop charts (Hot 100 (singles)/ Hot 200 (albums), 3 times in 8 months. She was the first female to have 2 singles in the top 3, at the same time (twice in 4 months). The first to have 2 #1 singles, in the top 5, and the top 3 on the Hot 100 charts. The first female to sit on top of 3 major Billboard charts at the same time (Hot 100, Hot 200, & R & B singles). She was the first artist to score 3 #1 singles and 5 top 10, and/or 5 top 5 singles in a calendar year (79). She scored 9 consecutive top 5 singles from August 78 -October 80, all selling a million copies or better (a physical sales record). She sold over 20 million albums and over 15 million singles with Casablanca Records in the US Market at the end of the 70s (10 gold singles (1million) 2 platinum singles (2 million), the first gold maxi-single). She was the most commercially successful female artist of the 70s worldwide, and was top 10 artist on the worldwide pop charts for 4 consecutive years (76,77,78,79). She was first black female artist played in heavy rotation on MTV (1983), and set a precedent of having 3 consecutive videos played in HR. Not surpassed until Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation album in 1989. She is only artist to be nominated for a Grammy in 5 different genres (at least 3 times each), and the only artist to win a Grammy in 4 different genres (R & B, Rock, Gospel, Dance). Named the "Diva De Tutti Dive", the first true diva of the modern pop era by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Lenny Kravitz, Mary J Blige and Stevie Wonder have referred to her, as the game changer.
Thanks for writing all this information. I knew she was awesome but had no idea how awesome. Really bothered me how little fanfare was given when she passed away. RIP Goddess.
Remember guys, they didn't make that sound with computers back then. That guy on the keyboards had to play on the same beat throughout the whole song without missing a single note. There was real musicianship back in the days.
According to singer David Bowie, who was then recording his Berlin Trilogy, his collaborator Brian Eno "came running in" and told him he had heard "the sound of the future". According to Bowie, Eno predicted that the song would change the sound of club music for the next fifteen years, which "was more or less right".
Ground breaking stuff for the time.....even more risque was "Love to Love You, Baby". Even without the electronics, Donna's voice was spectacular. What a great singer....
True, but the Moog synthesizer makes the music futuristic, which elevates it for me. But, maybe that's because it's the re-emergence of the huge interest in The Future. I think this was due to the extreme popularity of the newly released Star Wars and, of course, Star Trek on TV; and then all the space-themed movies that came out afterwards. At least, that's what my older relatives told me in introducing me to a lot of their favorite songs from this era. Think ELO, also 1977, I think. haha
Big Hit, during "The Disco Days", just imagine lighted dance floor, strobe lights, loud bumping music! I miss those days! Donna Summers was huge, started her career in Germany, was very sad to learn of her passing... R.I.P.
Donna was known as the Queen of Disco although she did more than just that type of music. She was definitely a top hitmaker in the 70s and 80s and has lots of music for you guys to discover. One of her earliest hits was also a controversial one because it was very provocative.........you will have to listen to it to know what I mean. It's called 'Love to Love You, Baby.' Look for a longer version of it cuz the shorter ones made for radio cut out the parts that made it controversial.....lol! She was my favorite artist when I was a young teenager.
Mine too,she's one of many , that got me to love disco music and dancing , I never turned my radio off back then. I lived at the roller skating , rink,as a kid,, go roller skating to this.l disco will never die,love from a small town in Virginia
It was such a trip dancing to this on the disco floor filled with dry ice smoke and you couldn't see the people around you. Hint of lights twirling and flashing!!! Trippy.
I don't know if y'all can appreciate how ahead of its time this track was in spring of '77 when it came out. Nothing ever sounded like this before, and a lot of music has been influenced by it since.
Gorgeous woman, gorgeous voice! She was a Goddess. I used to be a disco dance instructor- you’re doing footwork on all the 1-2 beats- you’re really moving!
The Queen of disco. Try her singing "Love To Love You Baby", "Last Dance", "On The Radio", "Bad Girls", "Dim All The Lights", "Heaven Knows" and maybe about 20 more great cuts. Disco, the music of love and inclusion. We miss you Queen.
Donna Summer was a superstar in the 70's disco era. She had one major hit in the 80's - "She works hard for the money"🔥 She released quite a few albums, but couldn't quite get away from the 'disco' tag... Sadly, Donna Summer passed away from cancer a while ago...😪 her daughter is a singer today. Donna Summer - 'Hot stuff' ... 'MacArthur Park' ... 'Bad girls' ⚡🔥
She still had hit songs by the year 1980 or in the early 80s. For example even though both songs "Enough is "Enough" (with Barbra Streisand) and "On the Radio" was recorded in late 1979, still hit the top 10 charts in February 1980. Also, her follow-up album or single was release in October of 1980 called "The Wanderer" was a top ten hit. She had a top ten R&B hit single in 1982 called "Love Is In Control" produced by Quincy Jones.
More of Donna Summer to discover: No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) with Barbra Streisand, Love To Love You Baby, Bad Girls, Hot Stuff, She Works Hard For The Money, This Time I Know It's For Real.
Donna Summer is an amazing singer and she has a lot of hits to choose from. You definitely should go down this rabbit hole. Check her out with Barbra Streisand singgin Enough is Enough. You'll love it! 10!!
This lady was so talented and way underrated back in the day. She sang all kinds of music before going out on her own and becoming the Disco Queen. She toured with several famous Rock bands, as well as doing studio work for just about every genre. She was so beautiful. "Hot Stuff" was my favorite song of Donna's, but all of them were really good. 👌
She did an album in the 70's called "I remember yesterday". where she imagined what Disco would sound like in the 1940's, 50's 60's and this was her futuristic version of what disco would sound like in the future, pretty spot on.
I went to a disco in Acapulco in the 70's and she was queen among the locals. She has more hits. Her voice is compelling as well as her moves, but that can sometimes be missed. Cheers from Canada
Donna Summer had an exquisite voice,and impeccable talent. With an unbelievable range. Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. Just listen and I mean LISTEN, sit down and pay 100% attention to her sing McArthur Park. There's not a single singer today, that can hold a candle to her. Not. One.
This song transcends disco, I've heard it in house and Techno and everyone loves it. Donna's vocals with Giorgio's production was a moment of perfection.
Music and lyrics were composed by an Italian composer, "Giorgio Moroder". He also composed "Hot Stuff" always sung by the great Donna Summer! Greeting from Italy!!
This was groundbreaking when it came out,this was probably the beginning of electronic music but if you want to hear Donna check out Mcarther park,hot stuff or on the radio! Love to love you baby is great also but the long version!
She was so ahead of her time, she brought a whole new sound to the Top 40! And her voice is so strong and beautiful. This song was recently inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Everyone was on the dance floor when they played Donna Summer. It was nothing to dance 20-30 minutes straight, till you couldn’t go no more. I was a 17 when this came out❤
Guys thank you for getting to Donna summer she in my opinion is the most amazing female vocalist. Please react to her songs last dance also MacArthur Park also bad girls also Hot stuff th guys.
This track is the for-runner for every dance genre from the day it was released until present day , it has been sampled , remixed and covered countless times , play the original in a club today and you are guaranteed a filled floor , simply sublime
I'll just add to what people have already said: Donna had hit after hit on the charts from the mid-seventies through the end of the decade, in both the US and Europe. This is my favorite of hers, but her first hit in the US was the even-sexier-than-this "Love to Love You" from 1975. She also had success with some great covers, including Barry Manilow's "Could It Be Magic?" (1976) and Jimmy Webb/Richard Harris's "MacArthur Park" (1978). There is live footage of her performing "MacArthur Park" that y'all have got to see and hear. Her voice is incredible. So much more from her, but those are a good start.
De hecho el primer tema EDM y aquel que inicia esta escena bajo los 5 generos matrices y primarios forjados dentro de la primera fase de evolución y desarrollo de está escena electrónica (1977-1980): HI-NRG, Synthpop, Electro, Italo y Electro Funk, está es la base, pilar y raíz para la ramificación de generos del EDM 80's (segunda fase de desarrollo / 1981-1989) entre ellos los 3 más representativos de esta escena: el House, Techno y Trance. My name is Giovanni Giorgio, but everybody calls me...the father, founder and pionner of EDM and the Modern Electronic / The Sound Of The Future.
From my understanding she was caught in the rubble from the trade center collapsing and ended up with lung cancer. May she rest in peace. (Look up the family matters episodes that she's in. She was such a joy
Well yeah... She was known as the Disco Queen.... But she was a great singer... After all she did a duet with Barbra Streisand.... Listen to all her stuff you won't be disappointed. BTW... That keyboard is called a mellotron
Donna Summer's was called the Queen of Disco but she was much more that that because that voice was undeniable! She had a beautiful voice and great range!
My beloved Donna.....only few know Donna spoke fluently German. That increased my admiration for her even more. Donna Summer and Melania Thornton are my TOP female singers. Holy cow
Please give Donna Summer another shot , play her song "she works hard for the money" . Thanks Shawn & Mel y'all are doing great with y'all channel . LUV Y'ALL
Donna Summer also had a Coiuntry career in the 1990's and Pop/Rock career in the 80's. She was a very versatile singer. Another Disco group to check out is Heat wave. The songs: "Boogie Nights", "The Groove Line" and the love ballad "Always And Forever".
Yay! You finally reacted to Donna! She was an AMAZING singer a force to recon with in the 70's, early 80's. She was a trail blazer for female artists that followed and broke barriers due to her music and accomplishments. This song was inducted into the National Recording Registry due to it's huge influence in dance music and is still sampled in some of today's music. Donna could sing just about any genre of music and VERY underrated as an artist/singer. She could go from soft and sexy to hard and strong which you can hear in other songs....MacArthur Park, Hot Stuff, Bad Girls, No More Tears, On the Radio, She Works Hard for the Money and on and on. Thanks so much for the reaction!
She was labeled the Queen of Disco but she is also recognized as the Godmother of EDM. She was brilliant and loved experimenting with sounds and other genres. Her voice was truly underrated but her voice grew better and stronger as years went by. Now you know why she was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. She influenced many. You should react to her last performance on stage with David Foster, her voice was sublime even tho she was fighting cancer, she passed away a month after. Voice was perfect and she looked amazing. I had the privilege to see her live and it was incredible . RIP Mrs. Sommers!
The version Donna does in the all white dress [live] is my favorite one. That's, a recording you're listening to of her singing in my favorite, the aforementioned.
Love seeing your enthusiastic reactions. Disco used a lot of synth. Robert Moog developed the first useful synthesizer in the 1960s and it really took off. Of course Donna Summer cannot be duplicated.
If you want to hear a Donna Summer classic react to her song BAD GIRLS, or SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY. She was THE QUEEN OF DISCO MUSIC. Also one of the most beautiful women ever.
As an old rocker who wouldn't be caught dead in a disco the first time I heard Donna Summer I fell in love and still have all of her albums. RIP Ms. Summer
This track was Pure Magic to dance to... still is! The strobe lights, pulsating together with the synth rig - and Donna "Queen of Disco" Summer's soft vocals... a match made in Heaven... The late, great Ms. Summer was so much more musically, other than just Disco - and she was an accomplished painter, as well. Check out her live stage performance (together with her then young daughter Mimi, nieces, and nephews...) of the song "STATE OF INDEPENDENCE" - from a concert broadcasted back in August of 1983.
I love the operatic background singers & the Moog Synth playing... This is the same Gentleman that did the music on Blondie's records, Call Me is a good one!
Listen to Donna's song "Dim all the Lights." She holds the note on the word "up" for the longest time. She actually held a record (may still hold it possibly) for the longest held note in a Top 100 song. Donna was originally an actress named LaDonna Gaines. Summer was her first husband's last name. She was in a touring production of the musical "Hair." She met her husband there - he was a fellow cast member.
An era where singers let their talent shine and speak for them.They didn’t need the Internet to promote them, make them popular. Their talent did that for them.Donna was breaking records and crossing boundaries,she wasn’t looking for any adulation. That is why. Donna so special.
It's like she's the High Priestess of a love cult. She stands in front of the people and channels their love energy through her and emits it back out to them. That's why she repeats, "I feel love!" She has worked herself into a trance of sexuality. 😍
She was an INNOVATOR more than a singer and entertainer her and her producer GORGIO MORODER changed the game !!! from DISCO TO TECHNO the NITE QUEEN !!! DONNA SUMMER continue to R I P !!!
LOL! 😆 I know that I'm late for the party but my God Your reactions are very very entertaining and I keep coming back for more! (seen this video like at least 10 times! And after a bad day this video puts me in a good mood!😁) I mean you reaction in this video is just PRICELESS LOL!😆😆🥰🥰 Donna Summer is much much more that the Queen of Disco I mean her voice, her looks, her stage presence, this woman Radiated Sensuality and I feel that she so under-appreciated and not talked enough about her talent I mean she was the whole package!💗Good work you guys!👏👏👏🥰👍
This was her high tech, electronica, psychedelic disco song…..quite unique, actually. It wasn’t a piano, really….it was an electronic keyboard with synthesizer. Also check out “Love To Love You Baby” by The Queen Of Disco, Donna Summer!
I was a traveling salesman back in the 70s when this song came out. I remember listening to her on the radio as I drove down the highway. Lot of good memories. One of my favorite singers.
BRAVO for reacting to Donna Summer!!!! Disco QUEEN! Wait; lemme get my skates 😊 Such an important artist from my childhood; I STILL listen to her; always will. Wanna hear a song by her that will make you blush? "LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY" 🔥🔥🔥