Happy Birthday Giorgio!
Giorgio Moroder was the first producer to blend driving dance beats, sequenced synths and the heart and soul of disco and give it all a pop sheen. He and Kraftwerk invented electronic music, and while the latter’s influence is undeniable in hip-hop and electropop, it is impossible to listen to any modern dance music and not hear nearly all of Moroder’s pioneering sounds and production techniques still in use.
Famously described by Brian Eno as “The sound of the future”, “I Feel Love” still sounds as fresh, exciting, sexy and futuristic as it did when it was first released in 1977.
VIdeo: “I Feel Love” – Donna Summer
Besides his groundbreaking work with Donna Summer and seminal soundtracks, Moroder also wrote and produced Blondie, Bowie, and two fantastic albums with the terribly underrated 1970’s LA band Sparks.
Video: “The Number 1 Song In Heaven” – Sparks
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention his production for the band Japan, aka The Band Duran Duran Wishes They Were (Though Don’t Get Me Wrong, I Love Duran Duran Too):
Video: “Life In Tokyo (Extended Mix)” – Japan
Moroder is also the reason I make music, all because I heard this song when I was a kid and it changed my life:
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MP3: “The Chase” – Giorgio Moroder
VIdeo: “The Chase” (German TV)
Every song I write is in some way a pale effort to imitate some aspect of Moroder’s songs, their gorgeous and haunting melodies riding on the machinelike beats of pure propulsion: perpetual melodic motion. Indeed, the entire genre of electronic dance music would simply not exist were it not for Moroder. So on behalf of Skrillex* fans all over the world, I say: Happy 72nd Giorgio!
Video: “Baby Blue” – Giorgio Moroder
* Joke.
I remember that I Feel Love from Donna Summer was quite controversial at the time. Critics didn’t like the song at all, but they all saw it wrong. I Feel Love paved the way for dance music in general and house in particular. And don’t forget to mention ‘From here to Eternity’ from Georgio as well. I love that track! We all have to say ‘thank you’ to mr Moroder, after whising him a happy birthday, of course…
It’s nice to see him in the spotlight, anyway!