How Donna Summer Changed Pop Music Forever
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
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Written by Mathew Brule
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I work w a bunch of 20-somethings and one day I was in charge of the music played at work. I put on my Disco playlist and when "I Feel Love" came on, all of them stopped immediately and were enthralled with what they were hearing. They all thought it was a new track and I let them think so for a while. They were all grooving heavily to this song. When it ended, they wanted to know who it was and they thought I was kidding when I told them that the song is as old as their grandmothers. After I showed them, they were blown away and wanted more Donna Summer. My work that day was complete.
I was a teenager when this song came out, and it would put me in a hypnotic trance that allowed me to do dance moves that I did not know I could do. It still does.
Love it!
Love it too! Great story, Bryan!
Well, you are indeed kidding, since 20-somethings do not have grandmothers born in 1977.
Because it sounds live rave music.
They'd think it was recent music because of how simple and devoid of lyrical content it is, combined with the fad of using older synth sounds.
Vocals in one take???? ONE TAKE??? Mercy. Thank you @Polyphonic
Also without auto tune
The lyrics aren't really that complicated.
@@Poppaea-Sabina Yeah, its not the lyrics, its the vocals, the actual singing.
And then you think about someone like Billie Eilish who literally pieces together a song with pieces of dozens of takes.
Goddess
You know Donna was much more than disco if you listened to her albums across the decades.
Donna Summer is probably the only artist who reminded me of my mother. I used to call my mom "My Donna Summer" when I was little, and that used to flatter her. She was just that glamorous to me. I lost my mom in 2019, so maybe the two of them have met by now. Anyway, thank you for this episode. Donna Summer was a magnificent artist.
I lost my Mum at the end of 2021, so I totally understand you. She loved Donna Summer, too. Cherish the amazing memories♥️
The song still sounds fresh. I didn't know about the context of it being the "future" song on that concept album. That's a trip.
Likewise, the boys in Kraftwerk, having been born right after World War II in divided Germany, where all German music was banned, and the only thing they could listen to was American rock ‘n’ roll, had a strong desire to create modern German music. They came up with the exceptional sound of Kraftwerk
maybe you should listen to giorgio by moroder, by daft punk
@@pbohearn Moroder does not follow the line of Dusseldorf Krautrock & German Progressive Rock by Conny Plank (Kraftwerk).
Since the beginning of the 70s, Moroder was already experimenting with fundamental lines of Classical Electronic Music (E. Moog and E. Soundtrack) in synthesis with Pop songs (Song Of My Father, Tears / 1971) and productions for European singers who were looking this synthesis of E. Moog with Pop themes.
In 71 Moroder did all this and had even founded the legendary Music L. Studio in Munich, while the Krautrock group (Kraftwerk) only played flutes and musical distortion.
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
Okay nobody kill me but being born in the 2000s and not knowing much of disco at all or it’s history Beyoncé’s Naughty Girl introduced me to look further into Donna and her amazing discography. Beautiful that she tributes her tracks again almost two decades later with Summer Renaissance. I love musical references . The synth & riff of the original track is a true beast and evident in its impact. Donna Summers Legend 💜 Great video!!
That's what new music should do. Kudos to you for understanding
I'm always just happy the kids are learning
On point analysis
No one should kill you (if anything anyone responsible is those who were old enough to listen to it when it was new and didnt show it to you). You didn't grow up with it. I congratulate you for being open.
I consider myself a disco child (like a love child from the hippie culture but with disco). Lol. My parents had mostly disco albums (my dad's other collection was mostly old records from before the 1950s.). My dad gave my mom a mini disco ball for their first anniversary which my mom hung in her car. My dad didn't cut his afro until 1990.
@@tecpaocelotl
Loved your entire response and the Afro ending was the icing. There was a lot of positive identification associated with the style. I tried to regrow mine (successfully) about 4yr ago however, the young barbers weren't saavy with how to shape it. Disco has lots of depth and I've noticed more songs are incorporating strings.
I love this series on disco. Today’s music owes a debt of gratitude to the 70’s and I’m so glad it’s being recognized in spite of those that in the 80s sought to make Disco disappear.
That one of the creators thought you couldn't dance to it is just mind-blowing to me. I Feel Love is not just a song you can dance to but THE song you dance to.
The song is absolutely brilliant, but I just realized I never actually danced to it...
It's probably the only song that you can say people have been dancing to it for (almost) 50 years, and people could dance to it for another 50 years.
@@kode-man23 it's a great song but are you really trying to claim moroder invented standards
I've been listening to "Bad Girls" lately by Donna Summer and whew, what a record that is as well. The first few rockier songs like Hot Stuff and Bad Girls slap hard, some of the best pop songs of all time, then she dips back into disco and nails it yet again, goes through some lovely midtempos (maybe a few too many) and then BAM the last few songs. Our Love basically became Blue Monday, which is incredible. Lucky comes dangerously close to outright dream pop, and Sunset People is one of the best finishes to an album I've ever heard. I can't believe I didn't know that much about Donna and her crew of amazing groundbreaking producers until the last few years. I used to think Madonna and Michael Jackson were the true pop pioneers, but I was so wrong. Donna is every 80's artist who came after her all rolled into one.
Loved your post. Lucky is so beautiful. Listen to Once Upon a Time, especially tracks 5&6 and MacArthur Park suite. Would love to hear your feedback. Enjoy!
YEESS … OUR LOVE / BLUE MONDAY LOL and LUCKY and SUNSET PEOPLE. WOW!
I still have that original album on vinyl. Bit of trivia: I read once that the bassline in Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" was cribbed from Donna's (Jon Anderson/Vangelis) tune, "State of Independence" which was produced by Quincy Jones shortly before he produced the album with Michael. In fact, MJ is singing background on Donna's song.
Side 4 of Bad Girls is awesome!! There's a lot to learn musically from just these 3 songs.
@@jonnuanez7183 This trio is still one of my go-to sets for a killer cardio workout.
The most important thing is, it still bangs.
You'll always be able to play it in clubs.
2024 and this is still true, as it will always be.
3:47 Moroder does not follow the line of Dusseldorf Krautrock & German Progressive Rock by Conny Plank (Kraftwerk).
Since the beginning of the 70s, Moroder was already experimenting with fundamental lines of Classical Electronic Music (E. Moog and E. Soundtrack) in synthesis with Pop songs (Song Of My Father, Tears / 1971) and productions for European singers who were looking this synthesis of E. Moog with Pop themes.
In 71 Moroder did all this and had even founded the legendary Music L. Studio in Munich, while the Krautrock group (Kraftwerk) only played flutes and musical distortion.
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
until today the most original and modern dance pop song comes from 1976, and it is still being underrated. I feel love, a masterpiece of electronic dance music!
It’s one of those songs that split the music in two….before and after. Epic!
Agreed. It is like Kind of Blue by Miles Davis or Sgt. Pepper by the Beatles.
Such a great song. Rest In Power, Donna Summers.
Donna Summer & the Italian composer Giorgio Moroder changed the sound of disco
Can't thank you enough for this piece. ♥ Though she was seventeen years my senior, Donna grew up in the same part of Boston where I was born and went to college. I'll never forget the affinity I had for her when this 'local' girl gone international wallpapered the radio and clubs - however I was only 12-13 years old at the time of its release, I created my first (handwritten) magazine that was all xeroxes of photo clippings from Rolling Stone and Trouser Press. Years later I'd become a critic/music journalist for nearly thirty years. Ebbs, flows...Wow, memories free-flowing....
@Mr Norris Your story is as interesting as Polyphonic’s typically insightful and engaging analysis of the influence both Donna and this song had on popular music! DS was the first singer and Moroder/Bellotte the first musicians (although I didn’t know their names at the time) whose voice and music I fell in love with, in 1977, at 6 years old. I clearly recall how much I wanted and was thrilled to receive the Live & More foldout cover double album during the winter of 78/79. Every note of the MacArthur Park Suite is permanently imprinted in my memory bank. 😉
that story about david bowie and brian eno discovering that song is legendary. "i have discovered the future!!!" and bowie was like "well then put it on darling!" eno was like "listen to those drums! that sound! this is amazing!"
I Feel Love is the greatest dance track of all time.
I remember I feel love…Heard it so much as a little girl. It was hypnotic and you felt like you were in a trance when you listened to it. It truly changed music
She will always be THE QUEEN OF DISCO:-) Thank You Ms. Summer...Your beauty and artistry taken from US ALL WAY TOO SOON. Rest in Peace :-)
forever.this woma is a legend
Great video. I'm a massive Bowie, Kraftwerk, Eno, Donna Summer fan. I can clearly remember first hearing this track being played on BBC Radio 1 in 1977. It took everyone by surprise. Until that point all electronic music had been either completely instrumental or had a mechanical robotic vocal. This broke the mould- it blew the doors and the roof off. The electronic precision of the music was counterbalanced by an ethereal voice of a Goddess. It was unique. The record quickly climbed to the No1 spot in the UK where it remained for a month. Surprisingly it was Donna's only No1 UK hit. Just as surprisingly it failed to top the Us Billboard Hot 100 or the Billboard Disco charts! It has of course gone on to become an important iconic track that still sounds futuristic today almost 50 years after it was released. It is also a Gay classic. It has been covered many times- Jimmy Sommerville and Sam Smith being two notable artists who managed UK hits with their versions.
"I needed him because even if I'd owned one I wouldn't have been able to get any sound out of it" the magic of music is that it's the result of many minds working together to make something beautiful.
I love your videooos
I remember being transfixed by this song as a kid in the 70’s. It was practically hypnotic to me and started me on a lifelong love for Donna Summer. The song “Chase” from the movie “Midnight Express” was an excellent follow up by Moroder and also had a large impact at the time.
You’d love Now I Need You, Midnight Shift, Queen for a Day, Lucky, Sunset People, Down Deep Inside (theme from the Deep), and Moroder’s From Here to Eternity album. Oh- his work with Munich Machine too- Whiter Shade of Pale.
That song rocked too! I remember my mom bringing home the album and playing it..I was hypnotized…it would come back when I picked up Gary Newman’s song “Cars”.
You got it bruh! Chase is totally Morder, (love that track) and he help Donna become the absolute queen of disco and the legend that she still is.
This song is so EPIC that even if you detest disco, you love this song xoxo Donna Summer and her mesmerizing voice
Funk is honestly so underrated & how important it is for music in modernity. A major influence to many Hiphop, Edms genres, Rhythm & Blues, SOUL, Afrobeat, and more
(Disco is a type of Funk subgenre, reason why I used Funk instead of Disco)
so well said!! XOXO
@ghost mall A lot of it was driven by racism and homophobia, I think.
@ghost mall That's because nowadays we only listen to the best disco tracks. Back in the 70s, as disco got more mainstream, songs like Disco Duck were so awful that they caused a backlash. Only the best tracks have survived.
@@colly7963 There were some horrible, horrible Rock and Country songs, but those genres never got the backlash disco did.
@@vahi37 EXACTLY. The disco backlash wasn't about music at all.
That song still sounds fresh today!
I LOVE DONNA Summers. I Feel Love was/is the BOMB! GREAT SONG. Excellent narration too. Good job buddy. You brought the story of how the song was made to a lot of fans. Thank you.👍❤️🇺🇲
Donna Summer is an absolute legend!! The indisputable queen of disco. So many great songs in many styles. One of the greatest female singers of all times. Whitney Houston and Beyoncé certainly drank from her fountain. Listen to some of her tracks and crank up up at Mac Arthur Park for exemple. Pure magic!! Thank you Donna for so much great music you gave us!
I got my first stereo for Christmas in 1977 and to this day remember hearing “I Feel Love” in my headphones and being totally blown away.
Great voice and a stunningly beautiful woman! God rest her soul!
There was another electronic album in 77 released with Midnight shift and Now I need you by Donna Summer, those are also amazing.
I´ve always thought it´s amazing how this song, still to this day, sounds like the future, definitely THIS song is the sound of the future.
I'm so glad that I was alive during this time. I had the 8 track for this.
Thanks Donna we love you 4ever, ❤❤❤
My two favorite disco songs are Love Hangover by Diana Ross and I Feel Love by Donna Summer. I was a teen when they were released and I’ve never gotten sick of them. I still play them loud. Very informative video. Great job.
Four Seasons of Love is just so fantastic. It’s short and sweet but ever song HITS! Highly recommend for anyone who has not listened.
Probably my favorite Donna Summer record, if not for “Bad Girls.” The sheer sophistication of that record, OMG…. and those hypnotic groovy bass lines, holy moly don’t get me started. EUPHORIC DISCO BLISS.
It’s perhaps the most flawless out of her entire discography, and the one I go to the most.
This was great - Donna Summer, Queen of Disco, an icon who influenced modern pop music - especially female pop stars - and somewhat hardly ever mentioned. I highly recommend Donna Summer's On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II.
Back in the late 70’s she was always mentioned and very well known. She was a superstar, but sadly didn’t appreciate her own music, she switched from Georgio Moroder to Quincy Jones in the 80’s, to take on a less disco sound, and more of a pop sound. It wasn’t the same.
@@rickberglund2134 I know she was huge in the late 70s - I was old enough to know and listen to her music back then. I mean today she is hardly ever mentioned when people talk about music influence on modern day music.
You know a video about music is going to be good when it starts with David Bowie and Brian Eno
One of my favorite songs. Even as a kid, I thought it was a song of the future.
My background, my parents met in the 70s. My dad was a big disco fan. My dad's first-anniversary gift to my mom was the mini disco ball which my mom had it hanging in her car. My dad got rid of his afro until 1990.
No fkn way! One take? Insane! Truly the queen
When I was 5 years old, my aunt asked me what albums I wanted , and I requested and received KISS Alive and Donna Summer’s Greatest Hits. All of my life, I’ve wished I was 21 in 1978 and could have experienced Studio 54 and other discos.
46 years later, I’m still loving this song and celebrating Donna Summer when I listen to Beyoncé’s ‘Summer Renaissance ‘ and appreciate how the music of the late 70’s influence ‘Renaissance ‘ as one of my favorite albums ever. 💖💃🏻
What many people don't realize is that Brian Eno was successful artist who was known for "New Age" - a "futuristic" sound that was especially popular in the 70s and 80s. It's been said that the sound you hear when Microsoft Windows starts up was written by him (for lots of $$$). For him to say that "I Feel Love" was "the sound of the future" is the supreme compliment.
I remember when I was little thinking she was singing "Happy love"
We thought it was “nappy roll” (a nappy is a diaper in England)😂😂😂
@@mhoppy6639 Hah!
Thank you for covering this for us all including today’s youth and everyone really. As a teenager in the 70s who danced and listened intensely to the Amazing Donna Summer & her Amazing Groundbreaking Music I’m glad you are shedding light on where Modern Music all begun. Donna’s music was out of this world when we heard her then. 49 years later we know that it truly paved the way for the likes of Beyoncé, Madonna, Mariah, Gaga, Janet J, Rihanna, Human League, New Order, Cher, and even Australian Kylie Minogue who idolizes her. She’s unmatched, irreplaceable, tge overall Queen 🪄⚡️🔥☄️💫💎💎💎👑👑👑❤️🙏🏾
I LOVE LOVE LOVE DONNA WITH EVERY BIT AND PEICE OF ME!! Amazing woman inside and out. Glad to say I was here at the same time she was at some point
I was in High School. I remember this was life changing
the Blue Man Group at the O2 version of 'I feel love', fronted by Annette Strean from Venus Hum, is one of the most electrifying performances of any pop song I have ever seen
Agreed - wish I could have seen it live.
Oh yeah. Powerful.
Sounds like hell on Earth
Just finished watching the HBO documentary. What a fantastic woman and artist, she never ceases to amaze me.
Donna is the TRUTH. Artistic excellence 👑😍🙌🏽❤️
This song is a masterpiece
I heard "I Feel Love" played at Stereo in Montreal in the mid 2000s. It blew my mind hearing it on such a great sound system.
Yep. 100% agree with all this. I still remember the first time listening to it. Something above and beyond anything else at the time.
Thank you for this heartfelt and detailed tribute to Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder. I remember the first time I heard, “I feel love,” was at a 16+ nonalcohol bar and small Dancefloor in the San Fernando Valley, called the sugar shack. I was swept up and transfixed, and I was lucky enough to see Donna Summer live in performance at the Universal City amphitheater at a time when it didn’t have a roof it was an open air amphitheater. This was on her “bad girls “tour, I don’t know anybody who is sitting doing that concert. She and the girls really rocked it with sets from the album. We owe Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder a lot, especially all the wonderful hours of joy dancing to their amazing music.
1977 - such an amazing year in music and movies
Polyphonic you do amazing work, dead on it every time and you keep us guessing, I’ve always felt that “I Feel Love” was futuristic and was a forerunner the the futuristic sounds of pop music but was more hypnotic than any song I’ve heard in the history of Popular music, and the promo video for it was even more hypnotic, when I heard and saw it the first time I never forget how it all but put me in a trance, it’s in a class by itself because it has that same effect on anyone who hears it, a true watershed moment in music history. Job well done sir💯✊🏾❤️😊
Her revolutionary history is something we can all appreciate today. In the 70s I didn't really care for "I feel love" because it was more hypnotic than dance, but it was fun to listen to.
Her career was based around sex, but her qualities were her vocal range and tones. What was key was her ability to crossover to White audiences, that's why they wanted to stop her by killing Disco. Her voice was untamable and crossed barriers. She made you hunger to hear her next note and She delivered it with a bang. I miss her duets too.
When she would hold notes as crisp and clear as Streisand, you know this woman was unappreciated and unpaid for her contributions. Thank you for giving her her due.
the final blow was when stupid magazines twisted her words and made her believe that "gay people were dying of aids because god made them" or whatever
mind you, donna KNEW she had a gay fanbase at the time so why would she even say this at her peak?? she may have been christian, but she wasn't hateful towards that community.
i genuinely think this is what killed off donna from being remembered like whiteny, madonna, etc.
I also heard that I Feel Love changed pop music by making their songs longer. It wouldn’t had happened if it wasn’t for the large vinyls laying in the studio.
Fascinating and informative as always. Donna Summer was the first singer whose music I fell in love with as a 7 year old kid.
I couldn't agree more. 'I feel love' and 'Blue Monday' by New Order are the songs that changed music forever
Giorgio Moroder touched so many peoples careers. Donna was his main girl, but what's interesting is a little later Bowie would team up with him doing "Putting Out Fire" for the movie Cat People. On another thought, I always felt the tune "Chase" from the movie soundtrack for 'Midnight Express' was a sibling composition of "I Feel Love"...very different, yet so similar ! The list of bands that Moroder touched is much longer than just a couple of hit makers. The whole New Wave movement was born from it's father Moroder. So much so, this topic deserves it's own video. Thanks for a great posting !
That was one wonderful video that took me back in time and told the story behind it. Thank you so much.
What a way to Start your new year of Polyphonic content.
Thank you for your great information and Donna's influence on music. She is so underrated.
Always a good day when poly uploadd
Certain songs really speak to an age. When I hear “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer or “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” by Sylvester I really feel the spirit of that time.
Always a Donna Summer fan. Wore out her albums, back in the day. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
What an incredibly amazing video! Man, you are really talented at this!
Even wit all of The Moogs and electronics, The recording equipment was all analog. So if one note or part of Donna Summer's vocals was off, it all had to be done again from the start. But ONE TAKE? Words fail me. That is incredible.
Forgot this was a Valentine's day drop until the end. Well done!
this video is pure gold now we do know why it was and still is an out-of-body experience... goose bumps all over every time it plays again... THANK YOU!!!
That beat is hypnotic…still gets the blood pumping today!
In 1977 I was 14 years old. I clearly remember this song hitting the radio with fury during this glorious summer in Montreal. It was a game changer. First time I watched your channel, and you got a new subscriber!!
Great job in depicting her and the background of this timeless classic!
I remember back in the day when this song came out. At the time, not a fan, but over the years, I've come to really like it. Probably because it reminds me of the good old days.
Thank you for helping me discover a new found respect for Donna Summer. I'm not a club person and I have always ignored '70s disco music. You provided connective tissue to one of my favorite musical genres... new wave... thank you for that!
I bet you could make a fantastic documentary about Negativland (who came on the scene at the same time as the rise of new wave) and I would love to see that some day.
Awesome video. I was a teenager when this came out, and I understood nothing about music. I liked this song for reasons I could not identify. Hearing the first opening seconds now, with the robotic disco precision relentlessly driving towards something you know is going to be important, brings back a flood of memories.
I never thought much about it, but now hearing your narrative, every word rings true.
Thanks for re-opening my eyes and ears!
I and the fans appreciate you acknowledging the greatness of Donna Summer. Donna was truly amazing.
My favorite content creator made a video about my favorite song of all time? This is fantastic.
i had no idea the vocals were done in one take!
I remember how amazing this song sounded in 1977. That's a great story.
One of my favorite singers ever, such a shake she's passed away a few years ago, she delivered so many fresh and good songs
R.I.P. Donna Summer.
You're always and forever 💛 💗 ❤ 💓 💙 ♥, the queen 👸 🙌 😍 ✨ ❤ 💖 of disco.
Brilliant, as usual. Thank you!
A timeless song that sounds as fresh today as it did in 77
LOVE this rundown! And track💋
Wow! I can’t believe Donna Summer’s song was the inspiration for the whole New Wave movement in the 80’s!😱😃👍✨💖✨
Great video of the only QUEEN !!!
Donna Summer is the most versatile female singer that recorded music. She has won Grammy awards in different categories. Donna Summer was more than Disco. She can sing anything. Donna can sing other artists songs but other artists couldn't sing Donna's songs because of her incomparable range and octaves. Bette Midler said it best about Donna Summer. Bette said that Donna Summer is the "Pop Vocal Queen" and i agree with Bette. Look at Donna's live performances of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" "Papa Can You Hear Me?" and her mega hits live in concert. No one does it like Donna. No one. May she forever Rest In Peace!
I just found your page as I was curious about disco this morning (as one usually is) and MY FRIEND you are killing it with these videos! I was so inspired by what you were saying at the end of this one, about their love lasting forever like the driving beat. I can't wait to check out your other stuff. Thank you for also supporting lesser known artists! 💜💜💜
Ah mate, this vid ticks so many boxes for me. Love it.
so good! thank you thank you. I always felt this song was special so this was a wonderful gift.
And hence why I call Donna Summer the Queen of Electronic Dance Music🪩👑
Donna Summer is the music biopic we deserve
I saw Giorgio Moroder a couple a years ago while he preformed a dj set of all the great hits he (helped to) create and tell about his work. Was a really great performance and also great to see that somebody of his age is still evolving and learning about music. I can definitely recommend searching for his live performances here on youtube
Excellent work. I Feel Love changed the course of Pop Music.
I love this song and I love music trivia… I wasn’t familiar with Keith Forsey who I now know had a hand in I Feel Love and many 80’s mega hits. Thanks for posting this informative clip!
Thanks for making this video.
This mind blowing track still gives me chills and an adrenaline rush every single time I play it.
I still have my 12" single that's 14 minutes long.
This track is 🔥🔥🔥🛼🛼
I totally LOVE your work. You even make me appreciate songs and artists I may have only a passing interest in. Thank you.
I was a teenager when _I Remember Yesterday_ was released. _I Feel Love_ had a massive impact on me and in fact I had started going to discos and it was a total thrill when it was played. Even today I experience some of that thrill when I hear it. I have always had an interest in electronica and I think that early experience with _I Feel Love_ influenced me to some extent in that direction.
another superb video, man, well done!
Long Live The Queen of Disco! 🪩
Wow. Your insights and writing are so right and beautiful. This is the best contextualization of Donna’s and Giorgio Moroder’s music that I’ve seen anywhere. Kudos. I’ve heard and read countless articles and videos about I Feel Love but you did an exceptional job at explaining how painstakingly and miraculously it came to be. Love Donna & Giorgio forever! Thank you!