Heatwave, Boogie Nights | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 124^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Boogie Nights” by Heatwave.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 124^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Boogie Nights”, performed by 🎙 Heatwave.

“Got to keep on dancing, keep on dancing.” For sure, for sure, 🎙 Heatwave 🕺! Heatwave is an international disco/funk/soul collective formed in London, England.  Among the talented musicians in group include 🎙 Johnnie Wilder, Jr. and 🎙 Keith Wilder on vocals, 🎙 Eric Johns on guitar, 🎙 Rod Temperton serving as composer and keyboardist, 🎙 Mario Mantese on bass, and 🎙 Ernest (Bilbo) Berger on drums/percussion. The musicianship exhibited by Heatwave is utterly superb.  Perhaps the best example of the collective on their A-game is the disco classic, 🎵 “Boogie Nights”. “Boogie Nights” appears as the second track off their 1977, platinum certified album, 💿 Too Hot to Handle. “Boogie Nights” peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Heatwave one of three platinum certified singles.

An entire essay could be written about “Boogie Nights” – you can’t say that about every disco single! It commences with a jazz introduction that is #EVERYTHING. That introduction is one reason why the musicianship of the collective is kind of a big deal. In addition to the jazzy intro, the backing vocals are sweet as well, idiomatic of the style.  Also worth noting, is the harp playing at the beginning, courtesy of the renowned, late harpist, 🎙️ Shelia Bromberg. Following the innovative intro, “Boogie Nights” transforms into an epic disco/funk joint. The groove is electrifying thanks to top-notch drumming, a bass line that is funky as albeit, superb rhythm guitar, and colorful keyboard work. The riffs utilized throughout are on point.  There are tuneful melodies and well-rounded lyrics in all sections of the song.

“(Boogie nights) Get that groove, let it take you higher

(Boogie nights) Make it move, set this place on fire

Dance with the boogie, get down

(Dance with the boogie, get down)

‘Cause boogie nights are always the best in town.”

The vocals are soulful from all parties (primarily Johnnie Wilder). By the end of the record, “Boogie Nights” returns to that dreamy harp playing + jazzy groove, adding the lushness of the 🎻string orchestra. All told, 🎵 “Boogie Nights” is one of the most clever disco songs of all time.  Guess who blocked it from ascending to no. 1 on the pop charts? That would be 🎙 Debby Boone’s unstoppable 🎵 “You Light Up My Life”. Regardless, “Boogie Nights” is EPIC.

🎙 Heatwave • 💿 Too Hot to Handle • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment UK • 🗓 1977

Heatwave, Boogie Nights: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 124 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment UK; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via Pixabay]