One of disco’s most iconic tracks, Stayin’ Alive propelled the genre into global pop culture and opened the door to its downfall. Born in underground black, latino and gay clubs, disco music was rooted in funk, soul and sensuality. By 1977, with Saturday Night Fever, disco went mainstream and the “Disco Sucks” backlash followed, steeped in homophobia and racism.

Built layer by layer like a dub studio session, the track began with a slowed-down tape loop of Night Fever's drum track. The bassline and legendary guitar hook followed, before the Bee Gees’ trademark falsetto vocals were laid on top.

Stayin' Alive was a blueprint and curse for disco music. Massively influential, then widely imitated. It may just sound like watered down white-disco to anyone who lived through the golden era of underground disco but I personally love the song. Every time I hear it, I picture John Travolta strutting down a Brooklyn sidewalk looking very cool.

La même pochette avec le logo sacem sur le disque

Is it just my copy, or is "If I can't have you" one of the worst mixed songs ever? It seems the band was playing inside the studio and the guys were singing from the bathroom. In a building across the street.