The best 70s disco songs can fill a dance floor within seconds: Chic’s Le Freak, ABBA’s Dancing Queen, the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive and Donna Summer’s I Feel Love are a good place to start. But a memorable party playlist needs more than the same handful of hits.
These 50 records bring together disco anthems, soulful grooves, electronic club favourites and a few funk crossovers that fit a 1970s dance floor. Every song has a Spotify link and a YouTube link, so you can listen as you go and build your own running order.
The years refer to the recording’s first release, whether on an album or as a single. A song may have become a bigger chart hit later. Some listening links open remastered, compilation or edited versions, so running times can differ between platforms.
Jump to: Essential classics · Soul and funk · Club favourites · Early hits and party anthems · More disco favourites · A 10-song party set
Essential 70s disco classics
Start with the records that can bring a mixed crowd together. These are familiar voices, distinctive openings and choruses that give a party a shared soundtrack.
1. CHIC — Le Freak (1978)
That clipped guitar, springy bass and sharp burst of voices make this an easy first choice for a disco party. Chic leave plenty of space between the instruments, so the groove feels effortless. Start here when you want people moving before the first chorus arrives.
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2. Earth, Wind & Fire — September (1978)
Bright horns and a buoyant rhythm give September a warmth that reaches beyond dedicated disco fans. It suits a room full of different generations, especially early in the evening. The familiar opening also makes it a useful bridge from background music to a proper dance floor.
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3. Bee Gees — Stayin’ Alive (1977)
The Bee Gees sound cool and slightly tense here, with falsetto harmonies riding a tight, deliberate beat. Stayin’ Alive brings the Saturday Night Fever connection without needing an introduction. Give its opening room to establish the rhythm rather than skipping straight to the vocal.
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4. ABBA — Dancing Queen (1976)
A sweeping piano entrance leads into one of the decade’s most inviting choruses. ABBA combine the lift of disco with the emotional pull of a pop song, making Dancing Queen a natural choice when the dancers want to sing as well as move.
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5. Sister Sledge — We Are Family (1979)
Warm group vocals and a beautifully controlled rhythm turn We Are Family into a shared celebration. The guitar and bass keep it moving without overpowering the singing. Save it for a moment when friends, relatives and occasional dancers are all joining in together.
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6. KC & the Sunshine Band — That’s the Way (I Like It) (1975)
KC and the Sunshine Band keep the arrangement direct: a rolling rhythm, bright accents and a chorus built around repetition. It is an approachable choice for guests who do not know much disco. The short single version also keeps a busy party playlist moving.
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7. The Trammps — Disco Inferno (1976)
Disco Inferno brings a bigger, brassier sound, with Jimmy Ellis’s lead vocal pushing the band forward. The extended version gives the rhythm section time to stretch out. Choose that when the floor is settled, or use a single edit when you want quicker changes.
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8. Thelma Houston — Don’t Leave Me This Way (1976)
Thelma Houston moves from restraint to full emotional release, while the arrangement builds around her. The contrast gives the chorus its impact. This is a strong choice after a lighter song, when you want the room to shift from casual dancing to a collective singalong.
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9. Gloria Gaynor — I Will Survive (1978)
The piano introduction creates a pause before the beat changes the mood completely. Gloria Gaynor’s controlled delivery makes the message of resilience feel personal, even in a crowded room. Keep the opening intact: recognising the song is part of the pleasure.
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10. Donna Summer — Last Dance (1978)
Last Dance earns its place through the change from a tender opening to a full disco arrangement. That shape makes it especially effective near the end of a party. Tell everyone there is one more song, then let Donna Summer handle the invitation.
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Soulful grooves and funk-driven favourites
Disco shares much of its musical language with soul and funk. This stretch puts bass lines, vocal harmonies and live-band arrangements at the centre of the playlist.
11. CHIC — Good Times (1979)
A nimble bass line leads an arrangement that is relaxed, precise and deeply danceable. Good Times rewards a little patience; the pleasure is in hearing the parts work together. Use the longer version when guests are enjoying the groove rather than waiting for the next chorus.
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12. Sister Sledge — He’s the Greatest Dancer (1979)
The rhythm has Chic’s familiar poise, but Sister Sledge give the song its personality through an affectionate portrait of a stylish dancer. It is a good companion to Good Times, sharing that crisp guitar-and-bass feel while bringing a more prominent vocal story.
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13. McFadden & Whitehead — Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now (1979)
Sweeping strings, an easy rolling beat and determined vocals give this song a celebratory lift. It suits birthdays, reunions and any evening with something to celebrate. Place it among the warmer soul records to keep the energy rising without making every track feel frantic.
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14. Cheryl Lynn — Got to Be Real (1978)
Cheryl Lynn’s voice is the centre of attention, answering the brass and bass with remarkable confidence. The track feels lively without sounding crowded. It works particularly well when the party needs a vocal performance strong enough to pull attention back towards the music.
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15. The Emotions — Best of My Love (1977)
The Emotions make a bright, busy arrangement feel wonderfully light. Their harmonies sit above handclaps, horns and a rhythm that keeps finding small ways to lift the song. Put it beside September for a stretch of generous, joyful soul and disco.
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16. Earth, Wind & Fire with the Emotions — Boogie Wonderland (1979)
Earth, Wind & Fire join forces with the Emotions for a record full of vocal exchanges, percussion and emphatic brass. The arrangement stays busy from the start. Save Boogie Wonderland for a lively stretch of the evening, when the dancers are ready to follow it.
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17. Heatwave — Boogie Nights (1976)
The soft opening gives way to a much firmer bass groove, with Heatwave’s smooth vocals keeping everything polished. Boogie Nights appeared on Too Hot to Handle before its 1977 single success. It is an inviting meeting point between funk musicianship and disco’s dance-floor momentum.
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18. Tavares — Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel (1976)
Tavares wrap their harmonies around an arrangement filled with movement, giving this love song a lightness that suits the dance floor. The longer recording leaves more room for the instrumental passages. Use it when you want the music to feel spacious and exuberant.
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19. KC & the Sunshine Band — Get Down Tonight (1975)
The high guitar figure catches the ear immediately, then the brass and rhythm section take over. Get Down Tonight is direct enough to bring hesitant dancers along. Pair it with That’s the Way for a short run of sunny, uncomplicated party music.
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20. A Taste of Honey — Boogie Oogie Oogie (1978)
Listen to the bass: it does much of the work that makes this record so satisfying to dance to. The vocals and guitar add their own rhythmic details without obscuring that foundation. Boogie Oogie Oogie is a useful choice when you want more funk in the mix.
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Electronic disco and late-night club favourites
Here the mood shifts between electronic repetition, slower grooves and brisk dance records. Choose the tracks that suit the room instead of treating every song as a cue to go faster.
21. Donna Summer — I Feel Love (1977)
A repeating electronic pulse gives Donna Summer’s floating vocal a very different setting from the orchestral records around it. The repetition is the attraction, allowing small changes to become noticeable. Give I Feel Love a longer slot when the party settles into sustained dancing.
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22. Donna Summer — Love to Love You Baby (1975)
This is disco at its slowest and most sensual, built around a patient bass groove and Summer’s breathy delivery. The long album version takes its time developing. Keep it for a later, more relaxed stretch rather than expecting the immediate lift of Hot Stuff.
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23. Diana Ross — Love Hangover (1976)
Diana Ross begins in a dreamy, unhurried mood before the rhythm opens into a much more insistent groove. The long version makes that transformation especially rewarding. Resist the temptation to skip the introduction; the change is what gives the record its character.
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24. Sylvester — You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (1978)
Sylvester’s soaring falsetto brings emotional force to a brisk electronic backing. The contrast between the insistent rhythm and the expressive singing keeps the track from feeling mechanical. This is a fine next step when I Feel Love has the room ready for more electronic disco.
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25. Patrick Hernandez — Born to Be Alive (1978)
First released in 1978 before its international breakthrough in 1979, Born to Be Alive runs on relentless forward motion. The vocal hook is simple to catch and the rhythm hardly pauses. Use it when you want to raise the pace of a familiar party set.
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26. Alicia Bridges — I Love the Nightlife (Disco ‘Round) (1978)
Alicia Bridges brings an earthy voice to a smooth, swaying disco arrangement. The song feels sociable and relaxed rather than breathless, making it a useful change of mood between bigger productions. It also fits nicely beside the earlier soul-influenced tracks in this list.
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27. Evelyn “Champagne” King — Shame (1977)
The saxophone figure gives Shame a recognisable entrance, while the bass keeps the rhythm supple underneath Evelyn King’s vocal. There is plenty to hear beyond the hook. Choose the longer version when you want to stay with the instruments as well as the singing.
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28. Vicki Sue Robinson — Turn the Beat Around (1976)
Percussion is central to both the song’s subject and its arrangement. Vicki Sue Robinson’s quick, rhythmic delivery adds another moving part, helping the chorus feel like a release. It brings a more restless texture to a playlist dominated by smooth strings and harmonies.
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29. Kool & The Gang — Ladies’ Night (1979)
Kool & the Gang bring a polished blend of funk and disco, with a firm bass foundation and a chorus that invites a response. Ladies’ Night keeps the groove comfortable while adding a little snap. It is an easy fit between soulful disco and late-decade dance pop.
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30. Michael Jackson — Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (1979)
The spoken entrance gives way to a bright falsetto vocal, layered percussion and a remarkably fluid rhythm. This Off the Wall track sits comfortably among the decade’s best disco records. The full-length version lets the instrumental detail become part of the attraction.
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Early hits, crossover records and party anthems
Some of these songs helped disco reach a wider audience; others bring funk, pop or simple participation to the party. Together, they add variety to a 70s dance playlist.
31. Barry White — You’re the First, the Last, My Everything (1974)
Barry White pairs his deep voice with an arrangement that feels light on its feet. Strings and rhythm carry the romantic message onto the dance floor, making this a lively alternative to a slow dance. It fits especially well among the earlier records in the selection.
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32. ABBA — Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (1979)
The opening synthesizer line establishes a darker mood than Dancing Queen, while the steady beat keeps the song firmly suited to a party. ABBA make longing sound dramatic and danceable at once. Save it for later in the evening, when the room can enjoy that change of atmosphere.
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33. George McCrae — Rock Your Baby (1974)
George McCrae’s gentle falsetto floats above a light, repeating rhythm, showing how inviting early disco could be. Rock Your Baby does not need a huge arrangement to hold attention. Use it near the beginning of a set or when the room needs a softer groove.
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34. The Hues Corporation — Rock the Boat (1973)
First heard on the 1973 album Freedom for the Stallion before becoming a major single hit in 1974, Rock the Boat has a buoyant, easy swing. The vocal harmonies keep it friendly and approachable. It makes a natural neighbour for Rock Your Baby.
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35. Van McCoy — The Hustle (1975)
A flute melody gives this mostly instrumental record its distinctive sound, with strings and a steady beat doing the rest. The Hustle offers a useful break from vocal-led songs. You can enjoy its rhythm without knowing the steps associated with the dance.
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36. Carl Douglas — Kung Fu Fighting (1974)
Carl Douglas turns a playful idea into a compact dance record with a strong rhythmic hook. Its novelty makes it useful for a less serious moment in the evening. Keep it among the shorter tracks, where the familiar theme can make its entrance and move on.
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37. Wild Cherry — Play That Funky Music (1976)
The rougher guitar and punchy band sound bring a different texture to the playlist. This is a funk-rock crossover that fits naturally beside disco, especially at a party with broad musical tastes. Try it before Hot Stuff for a short stretch with more guitar.
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38. Rose Royce — Car Wash (1976)
Handclaps lead into a loose, busy funk groove that gives Car Wash its unmistakable character. Rose Royce leave room for rhythmic details between the vocals. It is an especially good choice when you want the party to feel a little less polished and a little more playful.
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39. Village People — Y.M.C.A. (1978)
Some records invite individual dancing; Y.M.C.A. invites the whole room to join in. The big chorus and familiar arm movements make it useful when you want participation across generations. Save it for a moment when guests are comfortable enough to enjoy the communal routine.
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40. Peaches & Herb — Shake Your Groove Thing (1978)
Peaches & Herb trade lines over a fast-moving arrangement of bass, strings and bright rhythmic accents. The two voices give the chorus a conversational energy. It is a dependable lift after a more relaxed track, especially when you want a joyful rather than dramatic mood.
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More must-play songs for your 70s disco playlist
There is still room for soundtrack favourites, European disco and a little electric guitar. These final choices give you several ways to lift the mood or finish the evening.
41. Bee Gees — Night Fever (1977)
The Bee Gees’ layered harmonies and the smooth sweep of the arrangement capture a particularly polished side of disco. Night Fever appeared on the 1977 soundtrack before its 1978 single success. Play it when the party wants something instantly familiar without a huge change of pace.
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42. Bee Gees — You Should Be Dancing (1976)
Percussion and a more forceful rhythm give this Bee Gees track a physical energy of its own. It is a good choice when the dance floor needs momentum rather than another leisurely singalong. Let the instrumental passages run if the dancers are enjoying them.
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43. Labelle — Lady Marmalade (1974)
Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash bring commanding vocals to a funk-driven arrangement. Their original recording has a grit and rhythmic confidence that give it a clear identity. Place it alongside Got to Be Real when you want the singing to take centre stage.
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44. Yvonne Elliman — If I Can’t Have You (1977)
Yvonne Elliman gives this Bee Gees-written song a direct emotional urgency. The beat stays buoyant while her voice supplies the drama, making it a rewarding companion to Don’t Leave Me This Way. It also adds another voice to a Saturday Night Fever-themed run.
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45. Donna Summer — Bad Girls (1979)
The whistle and horn accents make Bad Girls easy to recognise, but the rhythm guitar and bass deserve attention too. Summer sounds confident over an arrangement that never quite stops moving. Keep it close to Hot Stuff for two different sides of her late-70s sound.
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46. Amii Stewart — Knock on Wood (1978)
Amii Stewart rebuilds an earlier soul hit as a dramatic disco record, with forceful percussion and a vocal that rises to meet it. First released in 1978, her version broke through internationally in 1979. It is a strong choice when the evening needs an emphatic change of energy.
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47. Boney M. — Daddy Cool (1976)
A deep vocal hook and a tightly repeated bass pattern give Daddy Cool a sound of its own. Boney M. keep the arrangement accessible without losing its rhythmic drive. It is a useful introduction to the European disco records that belong in a broad 70s party selection.
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48. Boney M. — Rasputin (1978)
Storytelling verses, a brisk beat and a folk-flavoured melody make Rasputin stand out from the smoother records here. The shifts between voices give the song plenty of movement. Choose Boney M.’s 1970s recording to keep that original character in your disco playlist.
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49. Anita Ward — Ring My Bell (1979)
The distinctive electronic percussion catches the ear before Anita Ward’s light vocal enters. Ring My Bell has plenty of space in its arrangement, which makes it a refreshing contrast to denser productions. It works well between two bigger singalongs without letting the dancing stop.
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50. Donna Summer — Hot Stuff (1979)
A prominent electric guitar gives Hot Stuff an edge that reaches listeners who usually prefer rock. The disco rhythm remains firmly underneath Summer’s vocal, holding both sides together. Use it for a high-energy finish, or move it earlier if the room is ready for guitars.
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Build a 70s party playlist that flows
Begin with a few welcoming grooves such as Rock Your Baby and Rock the Boat. Bring in the bigger choruses once people are moving. A familiar opening can help more than an abrupt leap in speed, especially when your guests have different musical tastes.
Mix short singles with longer recordings. A single edit gives you frequent changes; an extended version lets a good groove last. Good Times, Disco Inferno and I Feel Love are especially rewarding when you give them room, while Love Hangover needs time for its opening transformation.
Keep an eye on the mood rather than following the numbering above. If everyone is singing, stay with a few vocal favourites. If the dancers are enjoying the rhythm, let an instrumental passage run. Last Dance makes a fitting final record when the evening needs a clear ending.
A 10-song disco party set to start with
For a shorter selection, try this running order. It moves from relaxed early grooves towards familiar choruses, with a final song that lets the night end on a shared high. The total length depends on the versions you choose.
- George McCrae — Rock Your Baby
- The Hues Corporation — Rock the Boat
- KC and the Sunshine Band — Get Down Tonight
- CHIC — Le Freak
- Earth, Wind & Fire — September
- Earth, Wind & Fire — Boogie Wonderland
- Michael Jackson — Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
- Gloria Gaynor — I Will Survive
- ABBA — Dancing Queen
- Donna Summer — Last Dance
70s disco playlist questions
Are all these records strictly disco?
The selection includes core disco records alongside soul, funk and pop crossovers that fit a 70s party. Play That Funky Music, for example, brings a stronger funk-rock sound than the electronic backing of I Feel Love. Those differences help a long playlist stay interesting.
Should I choose the single or the album version?
For a mixed crowd, shorter single versions can keep the evening varied. Longer album and 12-inch versions suit dancers who want to stay with a groove. Check the running time before adding a track, particularly for Disco Inferno, Love to Love You Baby and Good Times.
Why do some release years look earlier than I remember?
An album release can come before the single becomes widely known. Night Fever was on the 1977 Saturday Night Fever soundtrack before its 1978 single success. Rock the Boat appeared on an album in 1973 before its breakthrough the following year. Spotify can also display a later compilation or remaster date.
Keep exploring the sound of the 70s
For a wider mix of genres, explore our 100 best 70s songs. You can also read more about Donna Summer’s place in disco, follow the Bee Gees’ musical journey, or discover what happened to disco after 1979.
How much of the decade do you remember? Test your knowledge of the songs, artists and albums in our 70s Music Quiz.
Listening note: links point to artist recordings, catalogue releases and official artist, label or archive uploads. Availability can vary by country and change over time.
