02/07/02

"DO THE HUSTLE" 

      At the end of the sixties a new era of music was evolving, new dances taking shape, and new fashions screaming in flamboyant color, daring necklines, big gold hoops, and polyester. Welcome to the seventies with its decadence outlined in  "solid gold" and bespeckled with the glowing fires of the disco ball. This was the most prominent sign of the times, along with such phrases "have a nice day", and anything ending in "man". My mother was a woman of the disco, living her night life up in the country of Italy enjoying the dance craze, bell-bottoms, and glitter of the discotheque. Her favorite song would naturally be one emanating freedom, fun, and geometric prints. Here is Van McCoy with his ever famous, "The Hustle", pumped into night clubs all over the world, keeping trendy kids toe-stepping and grooving to the disco beat. Van McCoy hit the jack pot with this number and became a resounding association that whole heartedly identifies the seventies era. This song has a similar characteristic to "As Time Goes By", in respects to its following suit with the American world culture, as disco became an impacting force on the times. With both grandfather and mother identifying themselves with the American media culture of their specified eras (even across country borders) it becomes evident that the strength of the American trend and social climate are intimately related with popular music. But what of the present year 2002? Who do I find myself most distinctly connected to? The American world culture, or the "ethnic" other?

-Available Songs-

I Love The Nightlife (midi)

I Will Survive (midi)

The Hustle (midi)

Saturday Night Fever (rm)

The Hustle(rm)