Chic’s signature songs, “Good Times” and “Le Freak,” have been staples of the group’s live performances ever since their chart success in the late 1970s. At recent UK concerts, such as those at Glastonbury and Blenheim Palace, “Le Freak” has usually opened the set, with “Good Times” has been saved for the finale.
“Good Times” is probably Chic’s most influential and widely sampled track. Its distinctive bassline has influenced at least two major hits: “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang, and Queen’s single “Another One Bites the Dust.” In fact, the bassline of “Rapper’s Delight” was so similar to that of “Good Times” that Chic founders Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers were awarded co-writing credits.
Nile Rodgers often share an amusing anecdote about how “Le Freak” came into life. One night, he and his musical partner Bernard Edwards were invited to New York City’s legendary Studio 54 nightclub by Grace Jones. When they were mistakenly turned away at the door, they improvised a song on the spot to express their frustration. They used the doorman’s words, “f*** off,” as a refrain, later changing this to “freak out” to make the song suitable for radio play.
Having already enjoyed great success with Chic, Edwards and Rodgers started producing albums for other artists. Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” their first album as producers, established them as hitmakers in the disco & funk genre. Another successful project was Diana Ross’ album “Diana,” which included the hits “I’m Coming Out” and “Upside Down.”
Even after disco music went out of fashion and Chic disbanded in 1983, Rodgers continued to produce number one hits. Notable collaborations included David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and Duran Duran’s “Notorious.” More recently still, Rodgers contributed the hit singles “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance” to Daft Punk’s album “Random Access Memories.”
In recent years, Chic’s live setlists have increasingly built upon the repertoire that Rodgers produced for other artists. Nowadays, no Chic live act would be complete without a rendition of Sister Sledge’s “Thinking of You,” in commemoration of Bernard Edwards, who died unexpectedly following a concert in Tokyo in 1996.
