Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.

Saturday Night Fever
RSO/Polydor/Reprise (1977)
Selected by Terry Nelson

Take yourself back to 1977. Did you ever think that the Bee Gees would be the ones to help push disco into the mainstream? I bet you they didn’t either.

Saturday Night Fever, the movie and album, went on to define the decade. The soundtrack has made an indelible mark on the musical landscape largely due to the Gibb brothers tweaking their sound to fit this movie, which they were doing as a favor to producer Robert Stigwood. In addition to the Bee Gees, there are standout performances by Tavares and Yvonne Elliman, who up until that point was known for starring in the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Next 43 years have elapsed since its release and yet we still instantly recognize the songs just by hearing the first few notes. Over time, the soundtrack has definitely outshone the movie.

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