Nile Rodgers, co-founder of 1970’s disco-funk-soul band, Le Chic, has worked and collaborated with some of the most talented artist of the past and current generations, and has established a name for himself by producing a myriad of hit songs for the likes of Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran, and Daft Punk.
Take a brief look into the long history of timeless music, written and produced by the incredible hit-making genius, Nile Rodgers.
Le Chic – “Good Times” (1979)
Le Chic, formed by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, released many hit songs, including: “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) (1977), “Everybody Dance” (1977), and “Le Freak” (1978). “Good Times” (1979) was the lead track on Le Chic’s 1979 album Risqué, and was regarded as one of the most influential songs of the era. It has since become one of the most sampled tracks in the history of music.
Perhaps you’ll recognise musical influences, similarities, or samples, in Queen’s timeless tune “Another One Bites The Dust” (1980), The Sugarhill Gang’s famous “Rapper’s Delight” (1979), Daft Punk’s base-heavy electronic track “Around The World” (1997), and Blondie’s hit single “Rapture” (1980).
“Good Times” reached Nº1 on Billboard’s R&B singles for 1979 and is ranked at Nº229 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Sister Sledge – “We Are Family” (1979)
Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards co-composed and produced Sister Sledge’s 1979 album “We Are Family”, which bore 3 massive hits – “He’s The Greatest Dancer”, “Lost In Music” (a disco classic) and “We Are Family”. The song in question went to Nº1 on the US R&B and Disco Charts in 1979, peaked at Nº2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and was certified Gold.
Diana Ross – “I’m Coming Out” (1980)
“I’m Coming Out” was co-written and produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, for Diana Ross’ comeback Platinum-certified album “Diana” (1980). The track became the legendary Motown singer’s second hit single. Partly written with Ross’s gay fan-base in mind, the lyrics held another meaning for Ross as she was in the process of leaving Motown Records at the time. The song peaked at Nº5 on the US Charts and has been pinpointed as an unofficial gay pride anthem.
INXS – “Original Sin” (1983)
“Original Sin” was written by Michael Hutchence (keyboard) and Andrew Farriss (vocals) and produced by Nile Rodgers. The track features on INXS’ fourth album “The Swing” (1983). In 1984, the song reached Nº1 in Australia and became an international hit.
David Bowie – “Let’s Dance” (1983)
David Bowie hired Nile Rodgers to work on his 1983 album “Let’s Dance” after meeting him in a nightclub and talking to him about music. The collaboration was successful amongst a younger audience and resulted in the broadening of Bowie’s fan-base. The track became Bowie’s best-selling single reaching Nº1 in the UK, US and in many other countries around the world. Due to the success of Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” album, the British singer-songwriter attempted to cater to his new fans, not knowing who they were or what they wanted, and consequently suffered creatively in his next two albums.
Madonna – “Like A Virgin” (1984)
“Like A Virgin”, written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly and produced by Nile Rodgers, was the key instrument in shaping Madonna’s new image as a pop culture icon, and the trigger to setting her long-lasting career in stone. Rodgers altered her previously synthesized sound by using the same live musicians as the ones he used in his Chic albums. The song became Madonna’s first Nº1 single on Billboard Hot 100, topped the charts in several countries across the world, and sold over twenty million records. Madonna’s invincible, sexually unashamed and confident persona had a huge influence on the younger generation at the time.
Duran Duran – “The Reflex” (1984)
The success of Duran Duran’s biggest selling hit “The Reflex” had a lot to do with Nile Rodgers experimental use of sampling and funk. Despite “The Reflex” being their eleventh single, it was their second and final one to top the UK’s Singles Chart at Nº1. The track also became Duran Duran’s first single to hit Nº1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rodgers went on to produce their “The Wild Boys” single, their 1986 album “Notorious” and numerous tracks on their 2004 album “Astronaut”.
Sister Sledge – “Frankie” (1985)
Written by Denise Rich and produced by Nile Rodgers, the single was released on Sister Sledge’s 1985 album “When The Boys Meet The Girls”. The sisters suggested the song to Rodgers, who refused to produce it upon hearing it, claiming he hated it. After singing it over and over again for a week, Rodgers went back to them, insisting they record it.
The single became a hit, reaching Nº1 on the UK Singles Chart and dominating for four consecutive weeks. On Sister Sledge’s side of the world, the single didn’t do as well. It was ranked at Nº75 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and at Nº32 on the Billboard R&B Chart.
Grace Jones – “I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Perfect For You) (1986)
“I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Perfect For You)” was released as the first single on Grace Jones’ eighth studio album “Inside Story” (1986). The song, co-written by Bruce Woolley and produced by Rodgers, became Jones’s biggest-selling hit and was her last to enter the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The song is recognised for its exceptional vocal performance and complimentary classic guitar riff. The music video features cameo appearances from Jones’ friends, including Andy Warhol (only a few months before his death), Nile Rodgers himself and fashion designer Tina Chow.
Daft Punk – “Get Lucky”
Co-written by French house music duo Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, “Get Lucky” was the lead single from Daft Punk’s fourth studio album “Random Access Memories” (2013). The disco-funk song reached the top 10 on the music charts of over 32 countries and has since sold in excess of 9.3 million copies. “Get Lucky” was the song that received the most amount of streams in one single day since the birth of Spotify and won Grammy Awards for Record of The Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Grab the entire playlist here.
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