Throwback Thursday: Donna Summer – “Bad Girls”
This past Friday marked the 40th anniversary of Disco Demolition Night, the most hating-ass shit the music industry has ever seen. On the day of that embarrassing event, Donna Summer was sitting atop the Billboard Hot 100 with “Bad Girls,” the third of her four No. 1 hits, and the second single and title track from her seventh studio album. Her second No. 1, “Hot Stuff,” was No. 3 that week. In short, Donna Summer was shittin’ on the game and they literally hated to see it. “They” being the disco-haters, who were generally racists and homophobes, but I digress.
“Bad Girls” was written by Donna Summer, Bruce Sudano, Edward “Eddie” Hokenson and Joe “Bean” Esposito, and if the horns on the track remind you of KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Give It Up,” you’re not alone. The two songs have no common writers or producers, but writers of “Bad Girls” would have a solid case if they ever decided to sue.
The song, an ode to working girls, was inspired by an incident where one of Donna Summer’s assistants was mistaken for a prostitute — by a police officer, no less. Upon hearing the song, Donna Summer’s record label tried to have her give it to Cher, but she ended up keeping it for herself and releasing it years late. A shrewd queen.
I always celebrate disco because I have taste, but this week, I am celebrating it more loudly than usual because fuck them haters.
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