It's no secret that disco has been making a massive comeback in the past few years. From Dua Lipa to The Weeknd, today's artists have been drawing inspiration from the retro era that ruled the 70s, bringing a modern twist to the groovy instrumentals of the past. To give you a taste of this disco renaissance, here are some of the Modern Pop Songs Inspired By Disco.
1. Dua Lipa - "Don't Start Now"
A huge milestone for the artist's career, Dua Lipa's "Don't Start Now" was an impressive hit in 2019 and is considered the beginning of the 2020 disco revival. The infectious track is a compelling mix of pop and nu-disco, receiving praise from critics for its use of 80s and disco inspired instrumentals. Bringing the retro stylistic choices back to the forefront of modern music, "Don't Start Now" features a delicious combination of funky bass lines, shimmering synths, and disco's characteristic four-on-the-floor beats.
2. Nothing But Thieves - "Do You Love Me Yet?"
Coming from their 2023 album Dead Club City, Nothing But Thieves' "Do You Love Me Yet?" channels the 70s and 80s with a mix of pop-rock and disco. The track features driving, pulsing synth lines reminiscent of Foreigner's "Urgent," and draws inspiration from the four-on-the-floor rhythms characteristic of the disco era. Showing the moodier side of the genre, "Do You Love Me Yet?" takes a hard look at the music industry and tackles some of the issues that come with obtaining fame.
3. Stela Cole - "Blood Orange Wine"
Exploring the darker side of disco-inspired pop, Stela Cole's "Blood Orange Wine" is bittersweet as the artist explores heartache over an infectious, moody soundscape. The track's sound is timeless, channeling a retro vibe with a modern twist that falls somewhere between Fleetwood Mac and Lana Del Rey. Keeping in line with disco's recent revival, "Blood Orange Wine" borrows elements from the 70s music style, featuring a classic four-on-the-floor beat, mysterious synths, and groovy bass lines that make the track unforgettable.
4. Cat Janice - "Dance You Outta My Head"
A viral sensation from earlier this year, Cat Janice's "Dance You Outta My Head" is another great example of disco being alive and well in the 2020s. The track is clearly inspired by the vintage 70s era, featuring funky bass lines, infectious four-on-the-floor beats, and nostalgic synths. "Dance You Outta My Head" was dedicated to Janice's son as she battled an aggressive form of cancer and serves as a lasting legacy for the late artist.
5. Doja Cat - "Say So"
A viral TikTok hit from 2020, Doja Cat's "Say So" breathes new life into a classic 70s sound with its nostalgic instrumentals. The track is a fusion of funk, pop-rap, and disco, creating a fresh vibe for pop enthusiasts to groove to. Complimenting the song's vintage feel, the music video for "Say So" directed by Hannah Lux Davis has received praise for matching the track's 70s retro aesthetic.
6. Harry Styles - "Adore You"
Coming from his sophomore studio album, Fine Line, Harry Styles' "Adore You" is another prime example of a modern artist borrowing elements from the disco era. The hit track was released in 2019 as the album's second single, featuring an intoxicating mix of layered instrumentals that include guitars, brass, percussion, and synths. A fresh combination of many genres, "Adore You" is often described as a blend of midtempo pop, funk, psychedelic pop, disco, and pop-rock.
7. Sam Smith - "I Feel Love"
Originally a 1977 hit by Donna Summer, Sam Smith released their cover of "I Feel Love" in November of 2019. Smith described the track as a queer anthem and planned to include it on their third studio album, Love Goes, but later removed it due to the album's delayed release. The artist stayed to true to Summer's recording, only adding a slight modern flair to the disco/synth-pop chart topper.
8. Sabrina Carpenter - "Espresso"
Love it or hate it, Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" is one of the biggest songs of 2024. The track is a blend of pop, disco, funk, and synth-pop, becoming an award-winning combination for the singer as "Espresso" has won Song of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards and Favorite Viral Song at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
9. The Weeknd - "I Feel It Coming (ft. Daft Punk)"
No stranger to nostalgic influences, The Weeknd channels the essence of disco in his song "I Feel It Coming (ft. Daft Punk)." The track comes off his third studio album, Starboy, blending elements of disco-pop and funk to get the masterpiece we know and love today. Aside from The Weeknd's Michael Jackson-esque vocals, "I Feel It Coming (ft. Daft Punk)" features an infectious combination of funky bass lines, dazzling synths, and disco-inspired beats that give the track a timeless feel.
Do you have any favorite disco-inspired pop songs? Let us know on our socials!
Written By Cheyenne Johnson
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.
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