Glittering disco balls and bouffants may be passé, but disco music still lives on today. Catchy, danceable, and covered by everyone from singing contestants to pop stars, disco songs continue to permeate current pop culture.
If you’re planning a night of jamming, you can’t go wrong with a disco karaoke party — as long as you have these tracks in your lineup.
“Le Freak” — Chic
With an intro that hooks you as soon as it plays, this song managed to hold the #1 spot on disco charts for 7 weeks. “Le Freak” was also certified platinum in Canada, France, and the U.S., and was part of the soundtracks for blockbusters like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Toy Story 3, and Think Like a Man Too.
“Knock on Wood” — Amii Stewart
Although “Knock on Wood” was originally recorded by Eddie Floyd, Stewart’s version is the most well-known. Her cover topped the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1979 and broke into the U.K. Top 10 twice — the first time in 1979, the second in 1985. Some of the more famous artists who’ve made this song their own include David Bowie, Eric Clapton, and Michael Bolton.
“Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel” — Tavares
Aside from being a fun track to dance to, “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel” is also perfect for group song sessions. Recorded by The Tavares Brothers, the song was originally split into two parts spanning 3 minutes each. Currently, it’s the Tavares’ only certified gold record, though that didn’t stop the group from getting inducted into the 2014 Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.
“We Are Family” — Sister Sledge
Another song originally sung by a band, “We Are Family” is sure to get your karaoke group pumped up. Thanks to its lyrics about sticking together, the song became the theme of the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates team and was covered by international sensations like The Spice Girls and The Corrs. It even has a global charity named after it!
“Billie Jean” — Michael Jackson
The second single from Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller, “Billie Jean” is recognizable for its distinctive bassline and drum beat in the intro. Despite its age, the song continues to be one of the best-selling singles in the world and has been covered many times, most notably by The Bates, Linx, Ian Brown, and Chris Cornell.
“Stayin’ Alive” — Bee Gees
If you want to wind down after a stressful week, you’ll love singing this song. Within two months of its 1977 release, “Stayin’ Alive” claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 4 weeks. In 2011, Rolling Stone listed “Stayin’ Alive” as one of its “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
“I Will Survive” — Gloria Gaynor
Renowned for its themes of female empowerment, “I Will Survive” is arguably one of the best disco anthems of all time. Just this year, the U.S. Library of Congress considered it “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant” enough to preserve it in the National Recording Registry.
No need to scramble to put together a disco karaoke night. With these songs, everyone in your party is sure to have a great time.
Know more disco songs perfect for a karaoke night?
Let’s hear about them in the comments!
