Get Down Tonight
1975 single by KC and the Sunshine Band
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"Get Down Tonight" is a song by American disco and funk band KC and the Sunshine Band, released in February 1975 by TK Records as the first single from their second and self-titled album (1975). The song became widely successful, becoming the first of their five No. 1 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also reached the top of the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart[5] and was an international chart hit, reaching No. 1 in Canada and charting in Australia (No. 44), Belgium (No. 11), the Netherlands (No. 5), and the UK (No. 21). In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked "Get Down Tonight" number 100 in their list of the "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".[6]
| "Get Down Tonight" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
French 7-Inch Single Cover | ||||
| Single by KC and the Sunshine Band | ||||
| from the album KC and the Sunshine Band | ||||
| B-side | "You Don't Know" | |||
| Released | February 11, 1975 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | TK | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| KC and the Sunshine Band singles chronology | ||||
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| Official audio | ||||
| "Get Down Tonight" on YouTube | ||||
Composition
The song displays some of the signature characteristics of the disco era such as a fast tempo and repeating lyrics. It also features a distinctive introduction, employing a guitar solo rendered at double-speed.[7] The song was originally titled "What You Want Is What You Get" before KC changed the title to "Get Down Tonight".[8]
Sampling
In 1998, the song was sampled by the house production act Bamboo for the hit single "Bamboogie". It reached No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1998.[9]
Legacy
In October 2000, VH1 ranked "Get Down Tonight" number 12 in their list of "100 Greatest Dance Songs".[10] In July 2022, Rolling Stone ranked it number 100 in their list of the "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".[6]
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[27] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[28] | Gold | 75,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[29] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||