Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tuesday 12-inch Flashback: ‘I Feel Love’

Here is one of the most influential singles of the last 40 years... up there with “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Flashlight” and “Rapper’s Delight.”

This Donna Summer track – produced by Giorgio Moroder (pictured) – came out in 1977... long before the words “house” or “electronica” had any musical meaning.

I didn’t know until yesterday that “I Feel Love” was a bigger hit in England than in the United States.

None other than Brian Eno said these words to none other than David Bowie: “I have heard the sound of the future. ... This single is going to change the sound of club music for the next 15 years.” (Eno underestimated.)

Audio bonus: Click here and listen to Casey Kasem introducing “I Feel Love” during its first week on the “American Top 40.”

UPDATE (04/23/03): Follow this link to see a cool old 2½-minute promotional video of Giorgio Moroder throwing down in his space-age 1970s electronic studio!

14 comments:

bklyn6 said...

I definitely remember the name Giorgio Moroder (but I couldn't pick him out of a line up). This was a favorite of mine back in the day. And it still is. I'm gonna have to rip this from my Donna Summer greatest hits comp later.

that dude said...

Donna Summer, Kiss and Parliament all on the same label. Hell of a legacy for a short lived label.

Anonymous said...

You have the most unique blogging style. I love it.

Lynn

papasean said...

Giorgio was doing what Kraftwerk was doing at the time, with a faster tempo. It was "funky" but it got on your nerve after awhile. I read that Donna hated it and was scared of the reaction to "Love To Love You Baby", growing up in church and all. None the less, it changed pop music's direction.

Anonymous said...

I thought the version by Blue Man Group w/Venus Hum was the original.

1977, that's amazing.

Undercover Black Man said...

Giorgio was doing what Kraftwerk was doing at the time, with a faster tempo.

I don't think Kraftwerk was ever on that BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM kick drum. That might be what's really radical about "I Feel Love."

Undercover Black Man said...

You have the most unique blogging style. I love it.

Ain't you sweet? Thanks, Lynn.

bklyn6 said...

Giorgio was doing what Kraftwerk was doing at the time, with a faster tempo.Cerrone comes to my mind. "Super Nature" anyone?

Undercover Black Man said...

^ Ahh... you sharp as a knife, Bklyn6!

I did a little sherlocking, and guess what? “I Feel Love” came out in the summer of ’77 – it was No. 1 in Britain by late July. Cerrone recorded his album with “Supernature” on it between June and August of 1977.

“Supernature” is totally a shoutout to “I Feel Love”! Listen for yourself. Gotta be.

bklyn6 said...

^Good looking out!

I actually have Supernature on my player. But, I don't think I ever made a connection between Cerrone and Moroder's sound until now. Funny how your blog gets me thinking this way. LOL.

What's crazy is that this song is used in a very memorable episode of "The Benny Hill Show." It's memorable to me because there's some black face disco goin' on.

Funny the crap I remember. :-)

Edshugeo The GodMoor said...

One of my favorite Benny Hill bits from back then.

Eurasian Sensation said...

Dunno about that picture of Giorgio Moroder. He looks as if he wants to eat my soul.

Undercover Black Man said...

^ You're right, Eurasian. He has kinda that I-keep-my-teenage-daughter-
locked-up-in-the-basement-as-a-sex-slave look.

bklyn6 said...

^Stop projecting! :p

I clicked on his name in your post. At least the mustache isn't so porn star now.