Sophisticated music aficionados tend to dismiss mainstream music as all sugar and no substance, and a greater case for such an assumption could not be made than mid-70′s disco superstars KC and the Sunshine Band.

Last month (March 2007) we had a songwriting interview with Mofro’s JJ Grey, and some of his quotes on writing resonated as I looked over the impressive career of KC and The Sunshine Band.

JJ Grey:

“Because trying to tell a story – whether it’s you writing this article or whether it’s writing a song or writing a film – anytime you try to sit down and write something it can be really difficult if you can’t let go and just do it. I have found the more passionate you are about it the easier it is.”

Whoa! I know what you are thinking. The fact we even mention Mofro (a band with tremendous street cred) and sugary sweet KC and The Sunshine Band in the same sentence is weird enough. But the reality is JJ Grey’s words of wisdom speak to the success of KC – namely – writing about his passions.

Compared with many other songs from that era, KC’s songs have stood the test of time. KC was passionate about celebrating the good things in life. That was his passion. When a writer is passionate about something it makes it easier to write, to tell the story, and to continue preaching that message long after the hot streak or “hype” is over.

When a band breaks into the big time initially, there is often a lot more than just the quality of the music that causes us to pigeonhole artists into certain eras, roles, fads, and so on. But when examining the strength of the songwriting alone, KC and the Sunshine Band wrote songs that spoke to a generation. Many of his songs – especially the hits – were the same ones he would have written whether he was famous or not.

The Disco Craze Elevated Sucky Songs to Hit Status

During the disco era there were many people writing disco songs because that is what you were “supposed” to write. It was hot. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that action?

So people wrote songs about “good times”, “dancing” and “celebrating” because that is what the industry expected people would want. Some of those songs flew, most of them didn’t. Very few of those songs or band survived the disco-era. That’s what happens when you start trying to predict trends – or as some industry veterans call it – catching lighting in a bottle.

It’s not unique disco. It happens in every genre that becomes hot.

After The Craze

Once the pendulum of public opinion swung disco to it’s most unpopular low during the early 1980′s, the genre was almost written off entirely. However, in the early 90′s, a new generation began discovering disco with fresh ears. This resulted in a resurgence of the genre to the extent that many hip-hop artists began to sample disco hits for their songs.

With the disco craze long gone, the songs now had to stand on their own. They were no longer helped by an artificially infused hype of a disco craze propping them up.

What songs would stand the test of time? What songs wouldn’t?

Amazingly, there were only a handful. One band was the Bee-Gees, who were actually veteran pop songwriters well before the disco craze began. Kool and the Gang was another veteran band who ended up (unfortunately) watering down their amazing funk sound to remain commercially viable during disco and post-disco.

While the previous mentioned bands really only have one song that identifies them to newer generations, KC and the Sunshine band actually had several. Don’t believe me? Check it out:

Boogie Shoes
Get Down Tonight
(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty
That’s The Way (I Like It)
Keep It Coming Love

Certainly makes for a kickin Best Of KC album. Each one of those songs a powerful signature tune from a passionate veteran craftsman. Sure, he’s not talking about controversial subjects like politics, war, religion, or how much his parents screwed him up. But his topics are based on passions and desires all humankind has – to dance and sing and enjoy life.

Is that really so wrong?

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND