A
virus as famous as "
Louie Louie". A late-
70s hit for
Chic - pretty much the same as the cookie-cutter material (however great) that enabled Chic to
crossover from
disco into Americana. But there was an undefinable something extra in the
groove that Rodgers, Edwards (
MVP!), and Thompson put together, since this
song was pretty much unavoidable for the longest of (good) times, both in clubs and on the
radio.
The groove later formed the basis of "Rapper's Delight", which put Sylvia Robinson's Sugar Hill Records on the map. I think the record had a re-recorded version of the groove - courtesy of the pool of session players who helped keep Sugar Hill on the map - but originally the rap was done to two turntables with the Chic 12" on it. Messrs. Rodgers and Edwards were not amused - they eventually sued (after some gangland-style "negotiation" by some of Sylvia's "friends") to get their proper writing credits, and won.
There were other copycats - Vaughn Mason's "Bounce Rock Skate" comes immediately to mind, but I don't think there was sufficient grounds (or popularity) for a lawsuit. And, of course, Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust".
In proper Chic fashion, it starts with the chorus...
"Good times, these are the good times
Leave your cares behind, these are the good times
Good times, these are the good times
Our new state of mind, these are the good times
Happy days are here again
The time is right for makin' friends
Let's get together, how 'bout a quarter to ten
Come tomorrow, let's all do it again
Boys will be boys, better let them have their toys
Girls will be girls, cute pony tails and curls
Must put an end to this stress and strife
I think I want to live the sporting life
Good times, these are the good times
Leave your cares behind, these are the good times
Good times, these are the good times
Our new state of mind, these are the good times
A rumor has it that it's getting late
Time marches on, just can't wait
The clock keeps turning, why hesitate
You silly fool, you can't change your fate
Let's cut the rug, a little jive and jitterbug
We want the best, we won't settle for less
Don't be a drag, participate
Clams on the half shell and roller skates...
Good times, these are the good times
Leave your cares behind, these are the good times
Good times, these are the good times
Our new state of mind, these are the good times"
-- Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, 1979, from Chic's Risqué LP.