Disco Wedding Songs – Podcast E79

Matt talks about his favorite disco wedding songs to add to your wedding day playlist.  Hear some song lyrics that go with the picks too!

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Podcast Transcript

Welcome to the Wedding Songs Podcast featuring newly released songs you need to know and the tried and true classics. Get song ideas from the time guests arrive to the last dance of the reception. And now your host, Matt Campbell founder of MyWeddingSongs.com.

Thank you for tuning into episode number 79 of the Wedding Songs Podcast. I am Matt Campbell and today I am going to be talking about great Disco songs that you could be playing at your wedding reception. If you prefer to read the list, or listen to the list, you can do so on our website at MyWeddingSongs.com. Just type in Disco in the search bar and it will take you right to this list. While you are there make sure you sign up for our monthly newsletter. You will get all of the new wedding songs being released in the prior month, and also hidden gems to play at your wedding ceremony and reception. You can get there by clicking on the subscribe button right in the main navigation.

You may be wondering “Why are we talking about Disco songs?” Well, it is because there is a trend of Disco revival songs, also known as Modern Disco songs. These songs include “Take My Breath” by The Weeknd, “Magic” by Kyle Minogue, “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa, “Stupid Love” by Lady Gaga, “Treasure”, recently, by Bruno Mars, and even “I Feel Love” by Sam Smith that was popular in the Target commercials. So let us go ahead and get started. I am going to be discussing these by the year they were released. Starting off with a brand new song by ABBA released in 2021 called “Don’t Shut Me Down”. Lyrics include…I’m not the same this time around (ooh), I’m fired up, don’t shut me down. Another fairly recent song, “Disco Gamma” by Los Charly’s Orchestra, released in 2010 is a great instrumental song. Gazzara’s song “Can’t Hide Love” from 1995, with the lyrics…You can’t pretend there’s nothing there, Girl, I look in your eyes, I see you care. One of the greatest Funk bands of all time, The Gap Band, released “I Found My Baby” in 1984 with the lyrics…That’s why I found my baby, I found my love. This has a perfect theme for a wedding day.

“Fresh” by Kool and The Gang in 1984 with lyrics…She’s so exciting to me yeah, She’s fresh (fresh) exciting, She’s so inviting to me yeah. In 1983, PYT which stands for “Pretty Young Thing” by Michael Jackson, is a great dance song to play. “BYOB, Bring Your Own Baby” by Sister Sledge in 1983. You know they will have other songs on this list as well. Just like the next one by The Gap Band, probably their most recognized song on the list, “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” from 1982. Lyrics include…You turn me out, you turn me on, You turned me loose then you turned me wrong, You dropped a bomb on me. One of the greatest Disco songs, and one that you could play for the garter toss, is “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls released in 1982. Lyrics for this song include…It’s raining men! Amen! I’m gonna go out to run and let myself get, Absolutely soaking wet! Shalamar’s “A Night To Remember” in 1982 may be a song you have forgotten about, with the lyrics…Make this a night to remember, Get ready, tonight, Gonna make this a night to remember.

One of the top 5 Disco songs of all time, Earth, Wind &Fire’s “Let’s Groove” from 1981. Lyrics are…Share the spice of life, Baby slice it right, We’re gonna groove tonight. “Super Freak” by Rick James in 1981 will have everybody freaking out on the dance floor, and “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross from 1980 is a very popular Disco song. Famous lyrics include…I’m coming out. I want the world to know, Got to let it show. Her other song, also released in 1980, is “Upside Down”. George Benson released “Give Me The Night” in 1980 with the lyrics…And if you feel all right, Then we can be lovers ’cause I see, That starlight look in your eyes, Don’t you know we can fly? “Love T.K.O.” by Teddy Pendergrass released in 1980 has the lyrics…Tried to take control of the love, Love took control of me, ‘Cause you lose all thoughts, sense of time, And have a change of mind.

The next song could be considered a cheesy song just by how many times it has been played at parties and receptions. But, “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang, from 1980, is one of the greatest party songs of all time. For the right crowd, this will pack the dance floor. “Funkytown” by Lipps, Inc was released in 1980. Remember those lyrics…Won’t you take me to Funkytown? “Thinking Of You” by Sister Sledge in 1979, and “You Know How To Love Me” by Phyllis Hyman also in 1979. Lyrics include…You know how to love me, Right in a special way, You know how to love me, Tonight all I wanna say, You know how to love me. “Lost In Music” by Sister Sledge in 1979. Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland” is one of the greatest Disco songs with the lyrics…You say your prayers though you don’t care, You dance and shake the hat, Dance, Boogie Wonderland. One of my personal favorite Disco songs of all time, that I would probably rank in the top 5, is “Knock On Wood” by Amii Stewart. It was released in 1979 with the lyrics…The way you love me is frightening, Oh you better knock, knock, On wood, baby.

The next song was re-made from a Will Smith song, “Ring My Bell” by Anita Ward in 1979. Lyrics include…So long I’ve been savin’, Tonight was made for me and you, You can ring my bell. The first song we have on the list by the Bee Gee’s is “Tragedy”, released in 1979. “Good Times” by Chic in 1979 with those famous lyrics…These are the good times, Leave your cares behind. To be considered maybe as a bouquet toss song is “Bad Girls” by Donna Summer. “Hot Stuff”, also by Donna Summer, released in 1979 with the lyrics…Lookin’ for some hot stuff, baby, this evenin’, I need some hot stuff, baby, tonight. Another popular bouquet toss song is “Ladies Night” by Kool and The Gang, with lyrics…Oh, yes, it’s Ladies Night, And the feeling’s right. One of the greatest Disco songs, probably top 5 of all time, is “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead. Lyrics include…To every word I say, every word I say!, Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now! Michael Jackson again in 79’ with “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, a dance tune to get everyone out on the dance floor.

A song that you could celebrate with all of your family, is “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge in 79’. “I Love The Nightlife” by Alicia Bridges in 78’ is a great Disco dance song with lyrics…I got to boogie on the disco ’round, oh yea. Oh, I love the nightlife, I got to boogie on the disco ’round, oh yea. The next song is taking a turn trending on TikTok, and that is “Rasputin” by Boney M in 78’. “Heaven Knows” by Donna Summer featuring Brooklyn Dream in 78’. “Take A Chance On Me” by ABBA from 1978 with the lyrics…Take a chance on me, That’s all I ask of you, honey, a great dance tune to play. For Barry Manilow fans, “Copacabana”, was released in 1978. “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees also in 78’ is a great dance tune to play. “Got To Be Real” by Cheryl Lynn with the lyrics…My love is your love, Our love is here to stay, really fits the wedding and love theme. “Everybody Dance” by Chic in 1978 is a great dance tune with…Everybody dance, do-do-do, Clap your hands, clap your hands. Another song by Chic is “Le Freak” in 78’. If you are looking for a song to play as the last dance song, a very popular choice would be “Last Dance” by Donna Summer. Released in 1978 with the lyrics…Last Dance, Last Dance for love, Yes, it’s my last chance, For romance tonight. I would rank the next song as the number 1 Disco song to get everybody out on the dance floor. It is “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire in 78’ with the lyrics…Do you remember, The 21st night of September? Love was changin’ the minds of pretenders, While chasin’ the clouds away.

The next song really pertains to after a breakup, but still, a popular party song, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor in 1978. “Shake Your Groove Thing” by Peaches & Herb, also in 78’, will have everyone out on the dance floor with…We’re bumpin’ booties, havin’ us a ball, y’all, Shake your groove thing. Sylvester released “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” in 78’. One of my favorites is “Boogie Oogie Oogie” by Taste Of Honey in 1978, with the lyrics…There’s no time to waste let’s get the show on the road, Listen to the music, and let your body flow. If you are looking for a song to toss the garter, one you might want to consider is “Macho Man” by the Village People. The lyrics include…I gotta be a macho man, Macho, macho man. Another song on the list that is still very highly sought after today, but could be considered a cheesy song just because of how many times it is played at parties, “Y.M.C.A.” was released in 1978 by Village People. “Dance, Dance, Dance” by Chic in 77’ is another Disco dance song with lyrics…Ooh, what a treat, feels so sweet, Ahh, that body heat, When I’m dancin’ with my baby, drives me crazy.

“More Than A Woman” released by the Bee Gees in 77’ is really a popular song you could have today. It is a slower dance song that you could have at your reception. “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer, and one of the dance tunes from Saturday Night Fever is “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer in 1977 was the original that was recently covered by Sam Smith. “Love Is In The Air” by John Paul Young from 77’ is a mid-tempo song that if you are having a Disco themed cocktail hour would be one song to play. A very popular groom processional song is the “Star Wars Theme” by Meco released from the Star Wars Movie soundtrack. Lou Rawls’s song “See You When I Git There” in 77’, with the lyrics…You know a man’s home is his castle, And I’m comin’ home to groove, Whoa, and I’ll see you when I get there. Another Disco song to play is “Best Of My Love” by The Emotions in 1977. Lyrics include…Oh, but in my heart, You’re all I need, You for me and me for you, Oh, it’s growin’ every day.

You can’t forget KC & The Sunshine Band with “Keep It Comin’ Love” in 76’ with the lyrics…Keep it comin’ love, Don’t stop it now, don’t stop it no, Don’t stop it now, don’t stop it. “Car Wash” by Rose Royce in 1976, and “I’m Your Boogie Man”, also by KC & The Sunshine Band released in 76’. Another ABBA song is probably their most popular song you would play at your reception is “Dancing Queen”. Released in 76’ with the lyrics…Ooh, see that girl, Watch that scene, Digging the dancing queen. “You Should Be Dancing” by Bee Gees in 76’, and “Movin” by Brass Construction also in 1976. Lyrics include…Gonna get higher, And movin’ on, Don’t stop. “Love Hangover” by Diana Ross and “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” by KC & The Sunshine Band, we all know the lyrics to that and it is one song everyone will be singing along to. “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” by Lou Rawls in 1976. Also in 76’, The Spinners released “The Rubberband Man” with the lyrics…Like the rubberband man, You’re bound to lose control, When the rubberband starts to jam.

“Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel” by Tavares in 76’, and “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Thelma Houston is an up-tempo song to play. Also, “Disco Inferno” by The Trammps in 76’ is one of the great Disco songs of all time. “Turn The Beat Around” by Vicki Sue Robinson was also covered by Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine. A Disco/Funky song to play is “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry, also “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate in 1975. “Mondo Disco” by El Coco in 1975 and also in 75’, Harold Melvin &The Blue Notes released “Tell The World How I Feel About “Cha Baby”. Lyrics include…You’re the person, That God must have put here me, And tell me who’s, To bug you with one man’s destiny. Another Gloria Gaynor song, “Never Can Say Goodbye” was released in 1975. Also, Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star” in 75’ with the lyrics…You’re a shining star, No matter who you are, Shining bright to see, What you could truly be.

Bee Gees again with “Jive Talking” in 75’ and another song by the Bee Gees is “Night on Broadway”. We will continue with a few more songs released in 1975 like Donna Summers’ “Love To Love You Baby”. “Boogie Shoes” by KC & The Sunshine Band with those famous lyrics…I want to put on my my my my my, Boogie shoes. “Get Down Tonight” is also by KC & The Sunshine Band and their song “That’s The Way I Like It” is another great song. You can almost have all KC & The Sunshine Band songs for a happy hour or as a dance set. “Theme From S.W.A.T.” by Rhythm Heritage, and “Boogie Fever” by The Sylvers with lyrics…She’s got the boogie fever, I think it’s going around. A mid-tempo song, if you know how to do a lot of Disco dancing, is “The Hustle”. Starting off in 74’ is Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass with “Bad Luck”. “Everlasting Love” by Carl Carlton in 1974 with the lyrics…Like the sun, it shines, Endlessly it shines, You always will be mine.

A song that is making a comeback is “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas with lyrics…Everybody is Kung fu fighting, Your mind becomes fast as lightning. “T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)” by Mfsb featuring The Three Degrees from 1974, and “Lady Marmalade” by Patti Labelle in 74’. This was also redone for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack by Christina Aguilara and friends. Lyrics include…I’ma keep playing these cats out like Atari, Wear high heel shoes, get love from the dudes. “For The Love Of Money” by The O’Jays in 73’, and “Rock The Boat” by The Hues Corporation made a huge return. Its lyrics include…So I’d like to know where, you got the notion, Said I’d like to know where, you got the notion, To rock the boat. “The Love I Lost” by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes in 1973. Patti Labelle released “If Only You Knew” also in 73’. One of my favorite Disco songs to add to a wedding playlist would be “Love Train” by The O’Jays in 72’ and “You’re The Reason Why” by the Ebonys in 1971 with the lyrics…I’m a happy guy, You’re the reason why, Just because of you. The last song on the list is “Dance To The Music” by Sly & The Family Stone released in 1968.

So, there you have it, If you prefer to read the list, or listen to the list, you can do so on our website MyWeddingSongs.com. Just search for Disco in the main menu. Also in the menu is a subscribe button that you could click on to get all the new wedding songs being released, and also some hidden gems that will really help you plan your songs for the big day. Even if you are just planning a date night. In two weeks I am going to be dropping an episode about Jazz songs that you could play during your wedding reception or ceremony. Thanks for listening and have a great day.

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