On The Radio – Donna Summer | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: R&B (#9) & Pop (#5); 1979
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Before the Disco Era opened the orgasmic floodgates, erotica on the Top 40 was a rare occurrence. Much hoopla had been made over Elvis’ pelvis, yet that was a visual thang. On record, E. was pretty much a teddy bear.
The Shirelles sang of the night when “you say you’re going to make me (pregnant pause) turn the lights down low,” and wondered “will you still love me tomorrow.” Still, pretty tame stuff.
It took a married couple – Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg – and a French song (but, of course!) to place a microphone in the boudoir. Je T’Aime…Moi Non Plus peaked at #1 in England, however, petered out at #58 in the US.
Three years later Sylvia (of Mickey and Sylvia Let The Good Times Roll-fame) moaned her way to #3 with Pillow Talk and liberated American radio. In 1976 Donna Summer debuted her horizontal dance tune, Love To Love You Baby; followed by I Feel Love in 1977.
The club gang picked up on Donna instantly with the radio crowd right behind. By decade’s end, she’d racked up nine more Top Fivers, including On The Radio.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Giorgio Moroder
Lyrics Written by:
- Donna SummerGiorgio Moroder
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).