[Definitive Edition] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of 80s Disco
What kind of sound comes to mind when you think of disco?
Motown, perhaps?
This time, I researched the music that was popular in discos in the 1980s.
In the 1970s, disco was mostly dominated by funk and soul, but once the ’80s arrived, the rise of synthesizers led to a new wave of sounds becoming popular.
From among those, I carefully selected the tracks that were especially popular.
If you’re thinking, “I want to dig deep into disco music from here on out!” be sure to use this as a reference.
It’s come full circle—listening now, it feels fresh and incredibly cool.
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[Definitive Edition] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of 80s Disco (71–80)
WordsF.R David
This song is marked by a melancholic, synth-driven sound.
F.
R.
David’s high, delicate vocals poignantly convey the difficulty of confessing one’s love.
Released in 1982, it became a major hit, topping the charts across many European countries.
It’s included on the album “Words,” and was also featured in the 2017 film “Call Me by Your Name.” It’s a track I especially recommend to anyone struggling to put their feelings into words.
A moving classic that encapsulates the charm of F.
R.
David.
GloriaLaura Branigan
One of Laura Branigan’s signature songs, it was released as a single from her debut album “Branigan” in 1982 and became a hit.
In fact, it’s not her original song—the original was released in 1979 by Italian male singer Umberto Tozzi.
The original is sung in Italian and, with its repeated, memorable main phrase and light, piano-centered arrangement, has a stronger pop flavor.
Laura’s version, on the other hand, is a danceable track tailored to the era, showcasing her powerful vocals—said to span five octaves.
It’s fun to listen to both and enjoy the differences.
In conclusion
We’ve showcased a lot of ’80s disco music up to this point.
When people think of disco, it often means the so-called Motown sound, but as we moved into the ’80s, new styles like New Wave and synth-pop gradually began to rise.
This time, as we head toward the ’90s, we also spotlighted fresh sounds that were novel to listeners back then.
I hope you’ve found some favorite tracks or discovered new musicians.