"Boogie Nights" is a 1977 single by international funk-disco group Heatwave. It was written by keyboardist Rod Temperton and was included on Heatwave's debut album, Too Hot to Handle.
History The song became one of the best-known disco songs by a British group and charted at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, "Boogie Nights" also peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It appeared on US Billboard R&B and dance charts during 1977. "Boogie Nights" reached No. 1 in New Zealand. The single was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).Whitburn, Joel (2010). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 9th Ed. (Billboard Publications), p. 293. In the United Kingdom, the song was No. 2, and entered on 5 March 1977.
The song made an appearance in the films Eyes of Laura Mars, Summer of Sam and The Stud, though it was not featured in the 1997 film titled after it: Boogie Nights. Apparently the group's co-lead singer, Johnnie Wilder Jr., a devout born-again Christian, refused to allow the use of the recording in the film because the song was about dancing, not pornography, while the film was about the latter.
Aaron Judge, right-fielder for the New York Yankees, uses the song as his walk-up.
Production The producer, Barry Blue, brought in arranger John Cameron to work on the track.Jed Pitman. The Invisible Man: The Story of Rod Temperton, History Press 2017, rev. 2022, pp. 44-52Kieron Tyler. 'Folk, Funk & Beyond - The Arrangements Of John Cameron', The Arts Desk, 28 May, 2023 Carla Skanger (a pseudonym of Sheila Bromberg of the London Symphony Orchestra) played harp and American actor and singer Clarke Peters performed backing vocals on the recording.
Personnel Johnnie Wilder Jr. – backing vocals, percussion Keith Wilder – lead vocals Eric Johns – guitars Rod Temperton – keyboards, synthesizer Mario Mantese – bass guitar Ernest "Bilbo" Berger – drums, percussion
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts Chart (1977–1978)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)54New Zealand (RIANZ)NZ Singles Chart info Charts.org.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2009.1UK Singles (OCC) Official Singles Chart Top 50 Retrieved 17 May 2019.2US Billboard Hot 100[ U.S. Billboard chart info] AllMusic.com. Retrieved 10 August 2009.2US Disco Action (Billboard)36US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)5US Cash Box Top 1002
Year-end charts Chart (1977)RankCanada (RPM)36New Zealand (RIANZ)1UK24US Billboard Hot 100Musicoutfitters.com93US Cash Box Top 10048
Sales and certifications
Cover versions "Boogie Nights" has been covered many times by artists such as Will to Power (1990), Sonia (1992), The Weather Girls (1995) and 911 (1999). British boy-band Blue also performed the tune in their live shows.[ Allmusic – cover versions]
Sonia version
In 1992, British singer Sonia recorded her take on the song, produced by Mark Taylor and Tracy Ackerman for her third studio album, Better the Devil You Know, in 1993. It was released in August 1992 by Arista Records and peaked at No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart in September. The single's B-side is "My Light", which also appears on the album.
Track listings Cassette and 7-inch single "Boogie Nights" – 3:40 "My Light" – 3:55
CD single "Boogie Nights" – 3:40 "Boogie Nights" (extended mix) – 5:42 "My Light" – 3:55
12-inch single "Boogie Nights" (extended mix) – 5:42 "Boogie Nights" (dub mix) "My Light" – 3:55
Charts Year (1992) PeakpositionUK Singles (OCC)Official Singles Chart Top 75 (06 September 1992 – 12 September 1992)30UK Dance (Music Week)35
References
External links Heatwave U.S. 7" single release info at Discogs