Giorgio Moroder is an Italian composer, songwriter, and record producer, but many know him as the “Father of Disco” for his work pioneering euro disco and electronic dance music in the 70s and 80s. Moroder has been in the studio since 1963––over half a century! With many years of experiences, accolades, and hit songs under his belt, there are countless notable milestones in his musical career. Here are 5 of his most influential tracks:
Déjà Vu (2015)
After a hiatus of over two decades, a time where many believed that Moroder had retired, the Italian DJ came back with a fourteenth studio album, Déjà Vu.
The title track served as the third single for the album and features Australian singer Sia. It topped the Billboard Dance chart. True to his style, “Déjà Vu” evokes nostalgia, a disco song with a 70s pop vibe, alluding to the prime of Moroder’s extensive career.
Call Me –– Blondie (1980)
Many might consider this one an Easter egg in Moroder’s far-reaching influence, but he is the producer behind “Call Me,” best known as the theme to the 1980 film American Gigolo.
After being released as a single, “Call Me” crowned the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six consecutive weeks. It also hit number one in the UK and Canada. In the year-end chart of 1980, “Call Me” was Billboard’s number one single.
I Feel Love –– Donna Summer (1977)
When Moroder fans think of the catalyst of Giorgio Moroder’s career, his work with Donna Summer in the late 1970s disco era comes to mind. Before meeting the “Queen of Disco,” Moroder had experienced moderate success, including a number one on the UK charts with “Son of My Father” in 1971. However, the duo’s work together launched them into international stardom, as well as solidified them as royalty at Castle Disco!
The King and Queen of Disco produced multiple hit singles that decade, including “Love to Love You Baby” and “No More Tears.” While both were integral to the origin of Eurodisco, “I Feel Love” molded dance and club culture into the 70s we remember now.
E=MC^2 (1979)
The sixth and last track of a studio album by Giorgio Moroder of the same name, E=MC^2 was inspired by the Albert Einstein medal, which was awarded to Stephen Hawking the same year Moroder produced this song.
The title track peaked at number 4 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. The album is considered the first ever electronic live-to-digital album.
Chase (1978)
Moroder has composed film soundtracks and scores for many noteworthy films, beginning with Midnight Express, a prison drama film. “Chase” was released as a single for the soundtrack album, an album for which he went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Score and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score. Not bad for Moroder’s first time composing a movie soundtrack!
As a single, “Chase” enjoyed international success, peaking at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 48 on the UK Singles Chart. The director of Midnight Express, Alan Parker, asked Moroder for something with a similar style to “I Feel Love,” a single Moroder produced for Donna Summer––and “Chase” was born.
Bonus: Giorgio Moroder - Right Here, Right Now ft. Kylie Minogue
“Right Here, Right Now” the lead single from Giorgio Moroder’s 2015 album, was recorded with the dance diva favorite Kylie Minogue.
The dancefloor jam is about using the dancefloor as a platform for escapism and love. While the track received positive reviews, it wasn’t doing well overseas. The song debuted at no. 25 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club chart, giving Kylie Minogue her 12th charting hit.
