SotD79 - Chic

Inspired by our series of articles looking back at music released 30 years ago, Jimmy Hunter takes a step further back in time to give us a Song of the Day 1979. This week, he remembers Good Times on a school trip...



There are many records around this time 40 years ago that remind me of summer that year. Many. At this time in 1979 I was just finishing 10 days on a school cruise on the SS Uganda to Germany, Russia, Finland and Denmark. First time abroad, first time away from Mum and Dad!!!



In all of those places I bought records - 12" disco records. Why? Because they were on different record labels to the UK releases and, well, I wanted them. I couldn't get enough of them. One of the biggest that year came from the creative minds of Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards (and, in clear vinyl on the Atlantic label, was a purchase in Germany). Any guesses?



Yes folks, this week we are playing Good Times by CHIC. The ultimate in smooth R&B / soul / disco and with the usual extended instrumental in the middle, Bernard Edwards displays why he's regarded as one of musics best bass guitar players [insert heckles and yells of disagreement here].



The musicality isn't subtle, the hooks are all around the bass line and the lead guitar keeps a pulsing beat with the drums; the strings and vocals carry you along with a smile on your face. It's a good, good track. And, dear reader, should not be remembered in any kitschy way as many of its contemporaries are.



The lyrics don't make sense:



"...clams on the half shell
And roller skates; roller skates

Good Times ..."



But who cares? A warm summer evening at the discotheque, this comes on and you're up on the dance floor. Memories evoked of summer parties - relatives 18th / 21st birthdays and a wedding too - perhaps they're so vivid in my mind for many reasons; or specific reasons. Who knows? My memories are crystal clear and I can almost feel the warmth of the church hall disco on that humid June night.



So, indulge indulge: the audio is the full length original mix and the video is from only a few years ago but is perfectly timed with the original audio track ...

Image - Amazon