I Love YouTube: The Top 5 Weirdest Disco Videos

Get ready to have your eyeballs chaffed.

Submitted by Rajorajorajo, 01/18/10 11:43 AM

Between the changing politics, shag carpet and the birth of the blockbuster film and also the elephantine levels of drug use, the 1970s were weird enough even without the added synthy sass of Disco music. It seems fitting, however, that the fun and flamboyant nature of Disco had the impact that it did on those culturally restless times. It was super huge, yet it also seemed to polarize the masses with a severity not seen since perhaps the birth of Rock 'n' Roll.

To those who loved it and lived it, Disco represented a life of cutting loose at the clubs and getting "down" to the bouncy, funky rhythym which was specially-designed so that one could 'boogie oogie oogie (un)til (one) can't boogie no more (sic).' It also represented the faint possibility of getting laid and/or high. It was a crazy, hazy time, and people acted accordingly it seems. We know this because our elders have passed down their stories in the oral tradition of our people. And also because of YouTube.

Disco music, obviously, was marketed with the help of television. This meant that some images needed to be conjured up to go along with the groovy, party vibe of the music. The desired effect of these images was, I guess, to make people at home feel like they were missing out on the party, so as a result Disco music videos most often depict attractive people in ridiculous outfits having the time of their lives in a darkened, smoky room with colourful, light-up floor tiles. But every once in a while, the right combination of song and circumstance resulted in a video that, thanks to YouTube, will forever be woven into the fabric of film history as the completely bizarre wtf-filmmaking stylings of a bygone era. Which, as fans of filmmaking craft, captivates us in a way that is maybe a little bit embarrassing to admit to just anyone. So consider yourself a close friend and lean in close while we share our top 5 most awesomely weird Disco music videos of the 1970s (available on YouTube):

5) "Volare" - Al Martino

Since the title of this song  literally translates to "I'm Flying," It's only natural that Al Martino plows through the snow on some kind of tank, puts on some crazy goggles and stands next to a plane while singing it. And then we get shots of the plane flying around the Alps. Is Al flying the plane? IS he the plane? So many questions that will probably never get answered.

4) "Let's All Chant" - Michael Zager Band

Finally, special effects technology had caught up with the imaginations of music video directors of the time! Simulating the double-vision induced by copious amounts of drugs and alcohol at the discotheque, almost every dancer featured in this video is accompanied by an equally talented doppelganger - even the glowing blue bikini lady. Oh, and hey - what's the coolest disco instrument you could choose to showcase in your video alongside these sexy dancers? Clarinet, naturally.

3) "Rasputin" - Boney M
It's funny; before I'd seen the video that accompanies this retro favourite I had figured Boney M for a bunch of loveable cheese-balls who only perform disco songs about notorious figures from history (can anybody tell me who Ma Baker is?). But the awesomely-edited photo montage that opens this video suggests that they only wanted to give back to their fans, no matter where they might be in the world. So as a way of saying thank-you to their loyal following in the USSR, they came up with this gem, which, of course, they perform while wearing fake Rasputin beards.

2) "Apache" - Tommy Seebach Band

So, uh... this is a pretty funny video. Tommy Seebach's grin absolutely kills me. And then the Apache squaws emerge from a tee pee... I can't really make much more of a smart comment here, you really need to just watch it for yourself. Short on concept, but long on "holy crap, this can't be real."

1) "Enigma" - Amanda Lear

One of the most disturbing music videos ever made. The people in this video are like a cross between the creepy sex cult in Eyes Wide Shut and those 'misfit toys' from that one scene in Bladerunner. I'm really not sure what's actually supposed to be going on, but I do know that if I watched it under the right circumstances, I could easily be programmed to assassinate a high-level government figure. It's one long shot zooming in and out with no editing, perfectly heightening the eeriness of Ms. Lear's snake-charmer voice, and it will most definitely make you feel uncomfortable. Especially when she picks up that helpless kitten.