The Ultimate Guide to the "Saturday Night Fever" Soundtrack
“Saturday Night Fever” is the iconic soundtrack from the 1977 film of the same name, starring John Travolta. Released on November 15, 1977, by RSO Records, this album became a monumental success. Before Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” overtook it, “Saturday Night Fever” was the best-selling album in history and remains one of the top-selling soundtracks globally, with over 40 million copies sold.
Commercial Success and Certifications
In the United States, the soundtrack was certified 16× Platinum, indicating at least 16 million units shipped. It dominated the charts, staying at number one for 24 consecutive weeks from January to July 1978 and remained on the Billboard album charts for an impressive 120 weeks, up until March 1980. Key singles from the Bee Gees, including “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Stayin’ Alive,” and “Night Fever,” along with Yvonne Elliman’s “If I Can’t Have You,” all achieved No. 1 status in the US. In the UK, the album held the No. 1 spot for 18 consecutive weeks. This soundtrack was a defining element of the disco era on both sides of the Atlantic and achieved global recognition.
Cultural and Historical Significance
In 2012, the Library of Congress added the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack to the National Recording Registry, recognizing its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.
Production and Recording Insights
Originally, the film’s producers planned to use Boz Scaggs’ “Lowdown” for a rehearsal scene between Tony and Stephanie, but legal issues with Columbia Records led to its replacement. Composer David Shire then created a new track to fit the choreography. Interestingly, the Bee Gees weren’t involved in the project from the start. As John Travolta revealed, he initially danced to tracks by Stevie Wonder and Boz Scaggs. Only later were the Bee Gees commissioned by producer Robert Stigwood to create the film’s unforgettable songs.
Track Listing
Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
How Deep Is Your Love – Bee Gees
Night Fever – Bee Gees
More Than A Woman – Bee Gees
If I Can’t Have You – Yvonne Elliman
A Fifth Of Beethoven – Walter Murphy
More Than A Woman – Tavares
Manhattan Skyline – David Shire
Calypso Breakdown – Ralph MacDonald
Night On Disco Mountain – David Shire
Open Sesame – Kool & The Gang
Jive Talkin’ – Bee Gees
You Should Be Dancing – Bee Gees
Boogie Shoes – KC & The Sunshine Band
Salsation – David Shire
K-Jee – MFSB
Disco Inferno – The Trammps
Album Release and Editions
The original release of the soundtrack included the studio version of “Jive Talkin'”. Subsequent LP pressings featured a live version from “Here at Last … Bee Gees … Live.” All CD editions have retained the original studio version. In addition to the Bee Gees’ contributions, David Shire composed additional incidental music, including “Manhattan Skyline,” “Night on Disco Mountain,” and “Salsation,” which are included on the album. Several cues like “Tony and Stephanie” and “Near the Verrazano Bridge” were not included in the CD releases.
The soundtrack was re-released on CD in 1995 by Polydor Records and again in 2006 by Reprise Records after the Bee Gees regained control of their master tapes. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the film, Capitol Records released a newly remastered version on April 21, 2017, with original artwork and gatefold packaging. On November 17, 2017, a deluxe box set was launched, including the original soundtrack, new mixes, a collector’s book, art prints, a movie poster, and a turntable mat.
Legacy and Impact
The “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack, primarily composed and performed by the Bee Gees, is the second best-selling soundtrack album of all time, following “The Bodyguard.” Its influence on American culture was immense, epitomizing the disco era. The Bee Gees originally wrote and recorded five songs for the film, including “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “More Than a Woman,” and “If I Can’t Have You.” These tracks were initially intended for a regular album, not a soundtrack, effectively costing the Bee Gees a standalone album.
The soundtrack includes other iconic disco tracks, although some like Rick Dees’ “Disco Duck” and “Dr. Disco” are featured in the movie but not on the album. The album won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, the only disco album to achieve this honor and one of only three soundtracks to do so. Rolling Stone ranked it No. 132 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” in 2012, later revising its rank to 163 in 2020. It also topped the Billboard Pop Album and Soul Album charts and was recognized as the 57th greatest album by VH1 in 2003 and the 34th best album of the 1970s by Pitchfork Media.
The soundtrack’s addition to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress on March 21, 2013, further cements its status as a timeless and culturally significant work.
The “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack remains a testament to the disco era’s peak, blending the Bee Gees’ musical genius with the pulsating rhythms of the late 1970s. Its lasting impact on music and culture continues to be celebrated, making it an essential piece of musical history.