|
Post by mga707 on Aug 13, 2018 22:08:04 GMT -5
Honestly curious: What is the relation of this to 'AT40'?
|
|
|
Post by vto66 on Aug 13, 2018 23:05:44 GMT -5
"Dark Disco" was the name some people gave to the closing theme music that "American Top 40" used from the Fall of 1979 up to the first week of January 1984. It was also used briefly as an opening theme from September 22 to October 13, 1979.
|
|
|
Post by palmer7 on Aug 14, 2018 11:24:59 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by mga707 on Aug 14, 2018 11:51:19 GMT -5
VERY 1979-80, especially the sax solo. Wonder why it's use as the opening theme was just those four weeks?
|
|
|
Post by matt on Aug 14, 2018 12:55:25 GMT -5
VERY 1979-80, especially the sax solo. Wonder why it's use as the opening theme was just those four weeks? I believe that the first time the theme package was used in any capacity was on the 9/22/79 show, and it appears that AT40 had originally planned to replace "Shuckatoom" for both the opening and closing themes (end-of-hour themes were also changed to a tune that had a similar style to the "Dark Disco" theme--the ones also used from 9/22/79 to 1/7/84). However...for whatever reason (probably popular demand), AT40 decided to go back to "Shuckatoom" for the opening theme only, which would remain until the mid-80's theme package took over in full on 1/14/84.
|
|
|
Post by giannirubino on Aug 14, 2018 14:32:02 GMT -5
Thanks, I never knew that the theme that ended on the E chord was "Dark Disco." I knew that the bit that ended on the Cmaj7 chord was "Shuckatoom."
Someday I'll be a good egg and know all the proper titles.
|
|
|
Post by pb on Aug 14, 2018 18:28:27 GMT -5
VERY 1979-80, especially the sax solo. Wonder why it's use as the opening theme was just those four weeks? Maybe someone decided the minor key was too ominous for an opening theme.
|
|
|
Post by doofus67 on Aug 14, 2018 19:56:00 GMT -5
That is beautiful! To this day, every time I hear that initial horn blast, a chill runs up my spine. And now we can hear it any time in crystal clear sound. Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by dth1971 on Aug 15, 2018 8:26:59 GMT -5
From 1982-1984 was "Dark Disco" sometimes replaced at the opening of a certain AT40 hour by a different theme (Which was part of the 1982-1984 AT40 jingle package)?
|
|
|
Post by matt on Aug 15, 2018 13:58:41 GMT -5
From 1982-1984 was "Dark Disco" sometimes replaced at the opening of a certain AT40 hour by a different theme (Which was part of the 1982-1984 AT40 jingle package)? Mostly during the middle part of 1982--there were a few variations of this theme used for end-of-hour themes, etc. I'm thinking that by mid-1983, it was back to the original "Dark Disco" theme package.
|
|
|
Post by Dale Latimer on Aug 15, 2018 14:09:22 GMT -5
^I've found that in at least one show from that period. A group of female singers doing a "doo-doo-doo" based on the AT40 "sig" opens instead. On 5/15/82, they open all the intermediate hours... "Dark" only appears at the finish! dL
|
|
|
Post by OnWithTheCountdown on Aug 15, 2018 14:43:19 GMT -5
"Dark Disco" temporarily was on hiatus (as a top-of-hour theme) beginning with the 4/24/1982 show, with the theme change in top-of-hour, hour close and bumper jingles (and later number jingles). It would make its return on the 1/15/1983 show to open hour 2, and would be used alternately with the 1982 hour open jingle through the 1/7/1984 show. It's obviously stayed as a show closing theme, which dates back to 9/22/1979.
And, yes, that intro gives me chills too sometimes. Wasn't crazy about it for a show open (which was very short-lived), but it's a great hour opening theme.
|
|
|
Post by chrislc on Aug 16, 2018 19:46:52 GMT -5
It sounds to me like it was inspired by Tragedy. A few years earlier they introduced the jingle that was obviously based on Afternoon Delight.
Any other hits inspiring AT40 themes?
|
|
|
Post by vto66 on Aug 16, 2018 21:53:37 GMT -5
It sounds to me like it was inspired by Tragedy. A few years earlier they introduced the jingle that was obviously based on Afternoon Delight. Any other hits inspiring AT40 themes? I always thought "Shuckatoom" was inspired by "TSOP".
|
|
|
Post by doofus67 on Aug 17, 2018 1:44:15 GMT -5
It sounds to me like it was inspired by Tragedy. A few years earlier they introduced the jingle that was obviously based on Afternoon Delight. Any other hits inspiring AT40 themes? The mid-80s hour-closing theme is vaguely reminiscent of Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody."
|
|