Here we are halfway through my Top Ten! (Find disc 1, disc 2, disc 3 disc 4)
Saturday Night Fever – Original Soundtrack
Laugh as you might, this is actually a great album. Not only is it a classic that truly defined an era but it has some damn fine songs that stand up in any era. For 25 years (until the release of The Bodyguard) this was the best selling soundtrack of all time. This compilation is probably the best thing about the motion picture that it represents.
This recording was the zenith of the disco era, everyone associated with it has been defined by it. You can’t mention the “Bee Gees” without thinking of some of the song that have become their standards; Night Fever, Staying Alive, Jive Talking, How Deep Is Your Love to name just four. You can’t say the name of the movie without picturing John Travolta, one arm up-stretched in his white polyester suit. I’m sure this was a blessing and a curse to some, the Bee Gees were able to shed the “disco” label as the fashions changed but others, were not able to come out the other side.
The album was a number 1 record, won the Grammy for Album of the Year, generated five top 5 hits and sold millions. Perhaps it was the mainstream success generated by this hit soundtrack that led to the decline in Disco’s popularity. Unfortunately, with the demise of disco the backlash against this album meant many people haven’t had the chance to listen to it objectively. Hi-NRG dance, disco, ballads, pop, rock are all featured and make this a very well-rounded and entertaining soundtrack. If you give it a listen I’m sure there will be at least one track that will bring a smile to your face