mine personally is Cocomotion by El Coco (also my favorite song in general)

I've always been wondering, what is the biggest reason why Michael Jackson's Billie Jean was innovative?

My answer is the lyrics and the vibe of the song are so disturbing and make me anxious, even though it's still a disco song.

I've thought, and still do think that most of disco songs sound happy and uplifting. Of course, I know there are some disco songs which lyrics aren't necessarily cheerful. But the majority of them are just typical broken-hearted themed pop songs. So that's why Billie Jean was something different, to me at least.

Do you have any rebuttal for my opinion? Do you know any disco song which theme is dark, uncomfortable, unusual as disco?

Thank you.

I'm Brazilian, and I love talking about Tim Maia's influence on music here, I think it's interesting for you to learn about his career.

During his career, he went through several phases, during the 70s, his Disco/Soul phase was very predominant.
Here are some personal recommendations:

Tim Maia - Rodésia (1976)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND3Vq8Zd7as&list=PLm3Cuevrd\_omiZT-cE4lBJMBwshEGu7MM

Tim Maia (1977)
https://youtu.be/zIuRvbFCVdU?si=sK-A4HqOAsUyTERr

Tim Maia Disco Club (1978) (THE BEST ONE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay0IpY0KnOI

Tim Maia - Reencontro (1979)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VK8XUx2QH0&list=PLm3Cuevrd\_ont8xF4ceOsTl2rMdH7oGd-

Tim Maia In English (1979)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oByes-dQag&list=PLm3Cuevrd\_olfVZxzckyeyfpY\_VlXEruf

Tim Maia (1980)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuNGv7RHh7k&list=PLrt7VbxNS8reIIygQmfJP8bO2JyGZgOYL

Tim Maia - Descobridor dos Sete Mares (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAUlCK8kuGU&list=PLFAcddgaFN8xrJO4BQ70AuAaTa8cgZsIO

https://youtu.be/ts0dHuIEXhM?si=ln8qkBYMs9JQ2wx6

New disco single from Stephen Alexander (Oct 2024):
Ready To Roar

Stephen Alexander makes music influenced by classic disco – with a positive beat and an important purpose: to help spread happiness!

The message from Stephen is a simple one: "Never give up – hang on in there!"
Shine on bright like never before.
You're stronger now, and Ready To Roar!

Stephen Alexander – Ready To Roar

Spent Sunday going to my two favorite records stores in Houston ( Sigs Lagoon and Cactus Music) and scored a few disco albums.

Sumeria-Golden Tears $.97 Simon Orchestra- Mr.Big Shot $.97 Cynthia- Cynthia 2 $9.97 John Davis and the Monster Orchestra - Night and day $3.97

Felt amazing finding these bad boys.

Mine is Frisco Disco by New Xperience (1979)

So my friend just told me the reason she doesn’t like disco is that it is too happy?! Asides from clearly not knowing what she is talking about, what disco songs can I get her to listen to that are for better words, a bit dark. Im thinking along the lines of

Gloria Ann Taylor - Love Is A Hurting Thing

Machine - But For The Grace Of God

I recently started getting into disco and I think I like the ones that are more funk/soul etc based than electronic music, an example would be love train by the ojs or got to be real by Cheryl Lyn. Does anyone have reccomendations for songs or artists in that vein?

Literally one of the best disco bands in the entire era. Their recording journey with AVI is legendary, so many bangers, cocomotion, let's get it together, dancing in paradise, etc... etc...

Their album covers are also great, some people may call it cheesy, I think its awesome.

Such a shame that the AVI master tapes got lost in a fire.

I will admit, even for being the biggest disco nerd out there, disco was a pretty cheesy music genre (especially during 78-79 when every living being was trying to make an extra nickel off of it) but El Coco is one of the glaring examples of flawless disco done right.