"I Love the Nightlife (Disco 'Round)" is a popular disco song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Bridges in 1978. It was released as the first single from her debut album, Alicia Bridges (1978), and reached number two on the US Billboard National Disco Action Top 40 chart for two weeks. It became a crossover hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and found worldwide success, reaching the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and South Africa. A re-release in 1994 allowed the song to reach number four in New Zealand and number five in Iceland.
Background The song was co-written by Alicia Bridges and Susan Hutcheson in 1977 for Bill Lowery, founder of Southern Music. "I Love the Nightlife" was the first single produced by Steve Buckingham who was invited to produce the single's parent album entitled Alicia Bridges after he had played guitar on a session by the singer. Bridges suggested to Hutcheson that they write a song with either "disco" or "boogie" in the title after Bridges saw a current top-ten hit list featuring several songs with dance-oriented titles. The original title of the resultant song: "Disco 'Round", became the subtitle under the main title "I Love the Nightlife" as Buckingham considered it an R&B number and did not want it labeled disco.The Tennessean October 5, 1980 "Farm Lures Hit Producer Here" by Walter Carter p.6 Bridges herself would later admit that she had hopes that the song would be received as a Memphis soul number, calling it "something Al Green might sing".Daily Record (Morristown NJ) July 29, 2002 "VH1 Looks at Once-Hot Hits" by Kevin McDonough p.B5 However it is as a disco classic that the song is most remembered: in an August 26, 1998 MTV countdown of the Top 54 Dance Songs of the Disco Era, "I Love the Nightlife" was ranked at number 37.Atlanta Constitution August 26, 1998 "Peach Buzz" by Richard L. Eldredge p.38.
1994 re-release In 1994, the song gained renewed interest after being featured in the film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. It was subsequently re-released and found the best success in New Zealand, where it reached number four in February 1995, 12 places higher than its original peak of number 16. The re-release also reached number five in Iceland and number 11 in Australia. Because of its association with the film (and also because Bridges herself is an open lesbian), the song is closely linked with gay culture. It was remixed for this release. Music critic Alan Jones of Music Week complimented it as "fab".
Music video
A music video was directed by Bruce Gowers.
1994 video In 1994, a new video was produced featuring Hugo Weaving, star of the film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The new video splices together footage from the original video (1978) with new footage. You can watch the 1994 video: Here. It depicts Hugo Weaving returning home from a long work trip to a family uninterested in seeing him. He then enters a bedroom and sits at a vanity and slowly transforms from his work uniform to full make up and fancy dress. He then exits the house with a group of people also all dressed up and his family is shocked.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1978–1979)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report) 9South Africa (Springbok Radio) 7US Cash Box Top 100 6
Chart (1988)Peakposition
Chart (1994–1995)PeakpositionIceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 5UK Club Chart (Music Week) 59US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) 10
Year-end charts Chart (1978)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM) 75US Billboard Hot 100 88US Cash Box Top 100 70
Chart (1979)PositionAustralia (Kent Music Report) 48Belgium (Ultratop) 77Canada Top Singles (RPM) 107Netherlands (Single Top 100) 85US Billboard Hot 100 64
Chart (1994)PositionAustralia (ARIA) 52
Chart (1995)PositionNew Zealand (RIANZ) 45
Certifications
Cover versions Laura Branigan sang the song live on German television and it was included on the very rare compilation album Gut Gestimmt in 1980. In 1995 the song was released by the band Bronski Beat labeled "I Luv The Nightlife", which featured two remix versions of the original song and two remix versions of the alternate song Hit That Perfect Beat Boy. It was re-recorded by Latin singer La India and Nuyorican Soul as a track on the soundtrack for the film The Last Days of Disco. This version peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In 2003 it was performed by Taylor Dayne in the television special The Disco Ball.
See also List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States
References
External links Lyrics of this song