Le Freak -Chic (1978) 10/2021

Today's blog post is rated "PG." :-)

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards wrote and/or produced a staggering number of "Great Songs" in the '70s and '80s--many of them hits for their own group, Chic, as well as for other artists including Diana Ross ("I'm Coming Out"), David Bowie ("Let's Dance"), Sister Sledge ("We Are Family"), Madonna ("Like a Virgin"), and the list goes on and on.

Today, we're highlighting biggest hit they wrote for Chic (with vocals by Sister Sledge), and it's not only a "Great Song of 1978," it's one of the best selling singles of all time!

"Le Freak" was a Top 10 smash in 14 countries, going to #1 on multiple charts in the US and Canada and selling 7 MILLION copies worldwide!

In Canada, the song was #1 on the Top 40, Dance and Adult Contemporary Charts. In the US, It was #1 on the Hot 100, Dance and R&B/Hip-Hop Charts.

The story behind the song is classic:

Disco Diva/Actress Grace Jones invited Nile and Bernard to a party at the infamous Studio 54 Disco in New York--but forgot to include them on her guest list.

When they tried to get in, the bouncer at the door told them to "F**K OFF.," and slammed the door in their faces.

Nile and Bernard were angry, and they channeled their anger into writing a song called "F**K OFF!"

But then, cooler heads prevailed, and they decided that the song was so good, they'd clean it up...and that's when the iconic "FREAK OUT" became the dancing battle cry in discos (and on the radio) everywhere!

Trivia #1: In 2018, "Le Freak" was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant.

Trivia #2: Over the years, Nile Rodgers has won 3 Grammy Awards, and has been inducted into the Grammy, Dance Music, and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame. He is currently the chairman (as well as a member) of the Songwriter's Hall Fame.

Trivia #3: Before his untimely death from pneumonia at age 43, Bernard Edwards was nominated for 4 Grammys, and in 2005, he was posthumously inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame.

Together, they created some unforgettable music...especially 1978's "Le Freak: by Chic.

If you don't agree, you can just...Freak Out!