The legend of Disco Demolition Night is a layered one in the sense that it goes much deeper than the common public interpretation of the event merely illustrating our cultural shift away from a musical fad that largely defined the 1970s in a ludicrous fashion. The fateful night’s dark undertones have become much more stark in recent years, as the event clearly signaled a precursor to the Reagan years’ dogwhistle policies under the guise of getting America back on track after a perceived period of hedonism, civil rights, and women’s liberation. Nile Rodgers would later liken the public razing of disco records to being like Nazi book burnings.
NYC punk-funk trio Say She She channel this type of fiery backlash in the latest single they’ve released from their forthcoming album Cut & Rewind. “Disco Life” takes direct aim at the homophobia, misogyny, and racism of such a spectacle in the name of macho, heterocentric rock music; it also makes the great point that disco rules, actually, and that we, the people, have never quite moved on from those lush dancefloor sounds. “We wanted to reclaim that space and make it a playing field where all are free,” the group shared upon the track’s release earlier this week. “So we turned it into a discodelic dancefloor with our words, and every four on the floor drum beat is hopefully a stitch sewn.”
As we anticipate the October 3 release of Cut & Rewind via drink sum wtr, the band is sharing what they call their “Power for the People” playlist—a set of songs that inspired the new single (and even the new album as a whole) based on the artists’ political philosophies and their music’s undeniable boogie. You can pre-order the LP here, and find the full playlist below.
Eddie Kendricks, “My People… Hold On”
This song is such a moving meditative mantra. It can bring us to tears with its soothing hypnotic melody. Good listening for the mornings, as it’s humbling.
Those Norwegians, “Kaminsky Park” and “Dom.B Sensi”
Despite misspelling, the intro to the record Kaminsky Park shows it’s definitely about the burning of the disco records in Chicago and the evolution of deep house originating from the disco movement being forced underground. The story also inspired our track “Disco Life.”
The Isley Brothers, “Fight the Power”
A classic example of turning frustration into funk. A fiery groove and defiant lyrics make you wanna get up and start the resistance movement against all abuses of power. It’s stood the test of time.
The Stylistics, “People Make the World Go Round”
This is one of our favorite lush Philly soul ballads that captures the disillusionment and social tensions of the early ’70s, but still has a message of unity wrapped in smooth harmonies.
Roy Ayers Ubiquity, “Red, Black and Green”
A jazz-funk classic and a staple played in the underground disco scenes with Black consciousness messaging. We love starting morning sessions in the studio with anything Roy Ayers.
Marlena Shaw, “Woman of the Ghetto”
The arrangement was done by Charles Stepney, one of our favorite producers from Chicago who worked with the likes of The Dells, Ramsey Lewis, Rotary Connection, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Risco Connection, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”
We love this 1979 reggae-disco cover even if we don’t care for the OG. The sweet lilt changes everything and oozes liberation.
Alton Ellis, “Black Man’s World”
Alton Ellis’ wail in this roots-reggae soulful song is the most emotional experience, and you feel the plight of the inequality faced by Black people globally so viscerally when you listen. It’s a sacred song to us to be listened to in headphones with eyes closed so as to appreciate every nuance of his voice.
ESG, “You Make No Sense”
ESG are a huge inspiration to us. As an all-female Black punk band making music in the ’70s outside the mainstream rock and disco scenes, ESG’s work was political by its very existence. We love “You Make No Sense” and we will never forget having the most fun dancing to this song during an interview we did with one of the original Guerrilla Girls, “Alice Neel,” in Brooklyn a couple years ago.
Saâda Bonaire, “Shut the Door”
Saâda Bonaire has got some attitude in this track and we’re here for it! The lyrics carry a weighted tone, but her tongue-in-cheek delivery is a reminder that serious can still feel fun.
Nikki Giovanni, “Just a NY Poem”
Even when Giovanni writes about love or intimacy, there’s often a political charge under the surface. She alludes to a certain feeling of freedom in this song as she’s walking through the city. We started the band in New York, so we have a similar love affair with the city that ties us all together.
Amiri Baraka & The Advanced Workers, “You Was Dancin’ Need to Be Marchin’”
A fiery blend of spoken-word and funk rhythm calling out complacency, it serves as a pep talk as well as an inspiration to us in terms of freedom of form. Baraka challenges listeners to move beyond disco escapism and instead turn dance-floor energy into political action and struggle for liberation. We dig it!
Gil Scott-Heron, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”
The perfect critique of mass consumerism and call to arms for taking direct action to make change. One of the foundational works of politically conscious soul and a great source of inspiration to us all since childhood.
The Honey Drippers, “Impeach the President”
Written in 1973 about Nixon during Watergate, but couldn’t be more apt for the current man in the White House, in our opinion. We’ve been spinning this 45 since 2016 for obvious reasons.
Dalton, “Soul Brother”
This song is a gem and one side of the only 45 ever recorded by the talented Tunisian band in the ’70s. A good reminder to us to appreciate how lucky we are to have put out records with our friends.
