Get Down Tonight

Last updated
"Get Down Tonight"
KCAndTheSunshineBandGetDownTonightFrench7InchSingleCover.jpg
French 7-Inch Single Cover
Single by KC and the Sunshine Band
from the album KC and the Sunshine Band
B-side "You Don't Know"
ReleasedFebruary 11, 1975
Genre
Length
  • 3:21 (single version)
  • 5:19 (album version)
Label TK
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Harry Wayne Casey
  • Richard Finch
KC and the Sunshine Band singles chronology
"I'm a Pushover"
(1974)
"Get Down Tonight"
(1975)
"Shotgun Shuffle"
(1975)
Official audio
"Get Down Tonight" on YouTube

"Get Down Tonight" is a song released in 1975 on the self-titled album by the disco group KC and the Sunshine Band. The song became widely successful, becoming the first of their five No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached the top of the Hot Soul Singles chart [4] and was an international chart hit, reaching No. 1 in Canada and charting in Australia (No. 44), Belgium (No. 11), the Netherlands (No. 5), and the UK (No. 21).

Contents

Composition

The song displays some of the signature characteristics of the disco era such as a fast tempo and repeating lyrics. The song also features a distinctive introduction, employing a guitar solo rendered at double-speed. [5] [6]

The song was originally titled "What You Want Is What You Get" before KC changed the title to "Get Down Tonight". [7]

Sampling

In 1998, the song was sampled by the house production act Bamboo for the hit single "Bamboogie". The song reached No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1998. [8]

Chart performance

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [24] Gold75,000^
United States (RIAA) [25] Platinum1,000,000

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KC and the Sunshine Band</span> American soul and funk band

KC and the Sunshine Band is an American disco and funk band that was founded in 1973 in Hialeah, Florida. Their best-known songs include the hits "Get Down Tonight", "That's the Way ", "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty", "I'm Your Boogie Man", "Keep It Comin' Love","Boogie Shoes", "Please Don't Go", and "Give It Up". The band took its name from lead vocalist Harry Wayne Casey's last name ('KC') and the 'Sunshine Band' from KC's home state of Florida, the Sunshine State. The group had five number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)</span> 1979 single by the Jacksons

"Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" is a song recorded by the Jacksons for their 1978 album Destiny, and released as a single in early 1979. It peaked at No. 7 in the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Le Freak</span> 1978 song by Chic

"Le Freak" is a 1978 funk-disco song by American R&B band Chic. It was the band's third single and first Billboard Hot 100 and R&B number-one hit song. Along with the tracks "I Want Your Love" and "Chic Cheer", "Le Freak" scored number one on the disco charts for seven weeks. The single achieved sales of 7 million and also scored number seven in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jive Talkin'</span> 1975 single by the Bee Gees

"Jive Talkin'" is a song by the Bee Gees, released as a single in May 1975 by RSO Records. This was the lead single from the album Main Course and hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100; it also reached the top-five on the UK Singles Chart in the middle of 1975. Largely recognised as the group's comeback song, it was their first US top-10 hit since "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" (1971).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upside Down (Diana Ross song)</span> 1980 single by Diana Ross

"Upside Down" is a song written and produced by Chic members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. It was recorded by American singer Diana Ross and issued on June 18, 1980 from Motown as the lead single from her eleventh studio album, Diana (1980). The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 6, 1980 and stayed there for four weeks. It also hit number one on the Billboard Disco and Soul charts. The single was released a full four weeks after the album was released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Should Be Dancing</span> 1976 single by Bee Gees

"You Should Be Dancing" is a song by the Bee Gees, from the album Children of the World, released in 1976. It hit No. 1 for one week on the American Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 for seven weeks on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, and in September the same year, reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Soul chart. It was this song that first launched the Bee Gees into disco. It was also the only track from the group to top the dance chart.

<i>KC and the Sunshine Band</i> (album) 1975 studio album by KC and the Sunshine Band

KC and the Sunshine Band is the second studio album by KC and the Sunshine Band. The record was produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch and was released in July 1975 on the TK label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celebration (Kool & the Gang song)</span> 1980 single by Kool & the Gang

"Celebration" is a 1980 song by American band Kool & the Gang. Released as the first single from their twelfth album, Celebrate! (1980), it was the band's first and only single to reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's the Way (I Like It)</span> 1975 single by KC and the Sunshine Band

"That's the Way (I Like It)" is a song by American disco and funk band KC and the Sunshine Band from their self-titled second studio album (1975). The single became the band's second No. 1 hit in the Billboard Hot 100, and it is one of the few chart-toppers in history to hit No. 1 on more than one occasion during a one-month period, as it did between November and December 1975. It topped the American pop chart for one week, and then was replaced by another disco song, "Fly, Robin, Fly" by Silver Convention. "That's the Way (I Like It)" returned to No. 1 for one more week after "Fly, Robin, Fly" completed three weeks at the top. "That's the Way (I Like It)" also spent one week at No. 1 in the soul singles chart. The song is in natural minor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep It Comin' Love</span> 1977 single by KC and the Sunshine Band

"Keep It Comin' Love" is a song by KC and the Sunshine Band, released as a single in 1977. It appeared on their 1976 album, Part 3. The song, like its predecessor "That's the Way ", became widely successful due to its sexual double entendres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Play That Funky Music</span> 1976 single by Wild Cherry

"Play That Funky Music" is a song written by Rob Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The single was the first released by the Cleveland-based Sweet City record label in April 1976 and distributed by Epic Records. The performers on the recording included lead singer Parissi, electric guitarist Bryan Bassett, bassist Allen Wentz, and drummer Ron Beitle, with session players Chuck Berginc, Jack Brndiar (trumpets), and Joe Eckert and Rick Singer (saxes) on the horn riff that runs throughout the song's verses. The single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 18, 1976; it was also No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over 2 million records and eventually sold 2.5 million in the United States alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock Your Baby</span> Worldwide early disco hit song by George McCrae

"Rock Your Baby" is the debut single by American singer George McCrae. Written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch of KC and the Sunshine Band, "Rock Your Baby" was one of the landmark recordings of early disco music. A massive international hit, the song reached number one on the Hot 100 in the United States, spending two weeks there in July 1974; number one on the R&B chart; and number one on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks at the top in July 1974. Having sold 11 million copies, it is one of fewer than 40 all-time singles to have sold 10 million physical copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly, Robin, Fly</span> 1975 single by Silver Convention

"Fly, Robin, Fly" is a song by the German disco group Silver Convention from their debut studio album Save Me (1975). Sylvester Levay and Stephan Prager wrote the song, and the latter produced it. "Fly, Robin, Fly" was released as the third single from Save Me in September 1975, reaching number one on the United States Billboard Hot 100. Thanks to the success of "Fly, Robin, Fly", Silver Convention became the second German act to have a number one song on the American music charts. The song received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock the Boat (The Hues Corporation song)</span> 1974 single by Hues Corporation

"Rock the Boat" is a song by American trio The Hues Corporation, written by Wally Holmes. "Rock the Boat" was first featured on their 1973 debut studio album Freedom for the Stallion. It was released as the third single from the album in early 1974, to follow up Stallion's title song, which had peaked at number sixty-three on the Hot 100, and "Miracle Maker " which did not chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe</span> 1974 single by Barry White

"Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" is a song written, recorded, and produced by American musician Barry White. Released in June 1974 as the first single from his third album, Can't Get Enough (1974), the song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard R&B charts. It became one of White's signature tunes and achieved gold record status in the US. It was also his second American chart-topper, after "Love's Theme".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boogie Nights (song)</span> 1977 single by Heatwave

"Boogie Nights" is a 1977 single by international funk-disco group Heatwave. It was written by keyboardist Rod Temperton and was included on Heatwave's debut album, Too Hot to Handle. Harpist Carla Skanger played harp and American actor and singer Clarke Peters performed backing vocals on the recording.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh Sheila</span> 1985 single by Ready for the World

"Oh Sheila" is a song by American R&B band Ready for the World. Released as a single in 1985, it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco Club Play chart. It was the first of two chart toppers for the band on the Billboard R&B chart, preceding their 1986 number-one R&B hit "Love You Down".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Your Boogie Man</span> Song by KC & the Sunshine Band

"I'm Your Boogie Man" is a song written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, and performed by Casey's band KC and the Sunshine Band, from their fourth album Part 3 (1976).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Down (Gilbert O'Sullivan song)</span> 1973 single by Gilbert OSullivan

"Get Down" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan, from his 1973 album I'm a Writer, Not a Fighter. Released as a single, it spent two weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart in April 1973, was also a number-one hit in Ireland for three weeks and was a top-ten hit in the United States and Canada. The song was originally used by O'Sullivan as a piano warm-up tune, but was eventually extended into a full song and released as a single; O'Sullivan recorded and released the song as a change from his more melancholy pieces.

The following is the discography of American disco and funk band KC and the Sunshine Band.

References

  1. Yorke, Ritchie (1976). The History of Rock'n'roll. Methuen. p. 169. ISBN   978-0-8467-0186-6. And that's the way fans like it, as KC and the Sunshine Band came through with the top disco hit of the year, Get Down Tonight.
  2. Henderson, Alex. "KC & the Sunshine Band – KC and the Sunshine Band". AllMusic . Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  3. Weeks, Marcus (2015). "KC & The Sunshine Band – "That's the Way (I Like It)". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 350.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 315.
  5. "KC and the Sunshine Band's Sped Up Guitar on 'Get Down Tonight'". KOOL-FM. April 7, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  6. "K.C. & The Sunshine Band History". WODC. April 8, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  7. Joe Bosso (July 15, 2014). "Classic tracks: Harry Wayne Casey on KC And The Sunshine Band's Get Down Tonight". MusicRadar.
  8. Roberts, David (2004). British Hit Singles & Albums (17th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN   0-85112-199-3.
  9. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  10. "KC & The Sunshine Band – Get Down Tonight" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  11. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4035a." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  12. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 39, 1975" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  13. "KC & The Sunshine Band – Get Down Tonight" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  14. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 "KC & the Sunshine Band – Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  16. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending AUGUST 23, 1975". Cash Box . Archived from the original on October 3, 2012.
  17. "The Singles Chart" (PDF). Record World . September 6, 1975. p. 25. ISSN   0034-1622 . Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  18. "Top 200 singles of 1975 as compiled from RPM charts by Brendan Lyttle". RPM . Vol. 24, no. 14. December 27, 1975. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  19. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1975" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  20. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1975" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  21. "Top 100 Hits for 1975". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  22. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – 1975". Billboard . Archived from the original on December 11, 2007.
  23. "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1975". Cash Box . Archived from the original on September 20, 2012.
  24. "Canadian single certifications – K.C. and the Sunshine Band – Get Down Tonight". Music Canada . Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  25. "American single certifications – KC & The Sunshine Band – Get Down Tonight". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 14, 2022.