Chic hit #1 with “Good Times”

Good Times Chic

Writer(s): Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers (see lyrics here) Released: June 4, 1979 First Charted: June 16, 1979 Peak: 11 US, 11 CB, 2 HR, 3 RR, 26 AC, 16 RB, 5 UK, 2 CN, 48 AU (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): 5.0 US, 0.2 UK, 5.2 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 33.65 video, 94.54 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards formed Chic in 1972. They released their gold-selling self-titled debut in 1977 and followed it with two top-5, platinum-selling albums before their popularity dipped with the waning of disco. However, those two albums each produced a #1 pop hit – “Le Freak” from 1978’s C’est Chic and “Good Times” from 1979’s Risqué. The song became the best-selling 45 RPM single in the history of Atlantic Records. WK Edwards’ distinctive bassline made it one of the most sampled and copied songs ever. SF Queen’s 1980 chart-topping hit “Another One Bites the Dust” has been said by some to be a copy of “Good Times.” Edwards explained that Queen’s bassist had actually spent some time in the studio with them and that he was O.K. with the band using Chic’s song as a template. What did frustrate him is that some people said Chic copied the song from Queen, even though Chic’s song came out a year earlier! BR The Sugarhill Gang recreated the backing track of “Good Times” for their own 1979 single “Rapper’s Delight,” often hailed as the launch of the successful commercialization of rap music. Rodgers and Edwards threatened to sue, resulting in their names being added as co-writers. While Rodgers was initially upset with the song, he later called it “one of his favorite songs of all time.” WK New York Rocker critic Barry Cooper said that “Good Times” had “broad appeal…[because] the lyrics were easy and catchy” and “the music: that bass line like a jungle drum, that handclap like a heartfelt lifeline, allowing everyone to pour out their troubles on the dance floor.” BR Together or separately, Rodgers and Edwards had a hand in producing multiple #1’s for other artists in the 1970s and ‘80s including Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” Diana Ross’ “Upside Down,” David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Duran Duran’s “The Reflex,” and Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.” Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Chic BR Fred Bronson (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 508. SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 10/8/2021.