Dance Musics Most Popular and Enduring Theme: The Declaration of Independence

It all started with Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" in 1979, perhaps the biggest fluke in popular music history. To follow up her hit "Never Can Say Goodbye", Gloria's label issued a song called "Substitute". The track bombed. Everyone hated it, including the radio DJs and the public. Then DJs started to play the B-Side track "I Will Survive" and the rest is history.

In retrospect, it is no surprise that "I Will Survive" should have become as popular and enduring as it did. The theme of the song is universal. Who hasn't loved and lost? But the song went further and became an Anthem for reclaiming one's power. One could say Gloria is the Godmother of Girl Power. With "I Will Survive", Dance Music's fascination with a Diva declaring her independence was born! The song and theme have proven so popular that even Diana Ross, Diva Supreme herself, did her own version of "I Will Survive" in the late nineties.

Later in 1979, Donna Summer jumped on the bandwagon when she released her duet with Barbra Streisand titled "Enough is Enough (No More Tears)". That song has followed "I Will Survive" into Music History as a Dance Floor Classic inspiring several remakes, including one by KD Lang and Andy Bell (Erasure) and at least two by Donna Herself: one with Tina Arena for her Live and More Encore CD and another with British boy band Westlife for DiscoMania.

In the years since the genesis of the theme's popularity, it seems that no Dance/Pop Music Diva's career is complete without at least one "Declaration of Independence" (DOI) themed track in her catalogue. From Cher's "Strong Enough" to Deborah Cox's "Mr. Lonely", Anastacia's "I'm Outta Love" and "Left Outside Alone", Sheena Easton's "Strut", Amber's "Taste the Tears" (Sex & the City), Britney Spears' "Stronger", Christina Aguilera's "Fighter", Madonna's "You'll See", Destiny's Child's "Survivor", Tina Tuner's "When the Heartache is Over", Toni Braxton's "He Wasn't Man Enough" and "Hit the Highway", Pink's "There You Go", the list goes on and on.

Perhaps the most popular DOI track since "I Will Survive" is Whitney Houston's "It's Not Right, But It's OK". The Thunderpuss Remix of the track became so popular a few years back that it was credited with revivng Houston's career, such is the power of a Diva declaring her independence in song.

And the popularity of the theme continues on current hits. Alicia Keys' "Karmastition" is a current worldwide Radio Hit. And it's still in the pipeline, but Dance Music fans online are buzzing over the track "Sacrificial Lamb" from Amber's New CD "My Kind of World". This wholely original take on the DOI theme has the Pop/Rock Vocalist belting "Now I leave you with your arrogance, now you're crying, now you're dying, like a sacrificial lamb" on the song's powerful chorus.

Dance Music's fascination with a Diva throwing her man to the sidewalk shows no sign of slowing down! Classic hits, current hits, future hits..."Declaration of Independence" tracks are as popular as ever!

Kevin Snook is the Editor of http://www.MostMusic.BlogSpot.com, a site the features Dance Music News, Reviews and Articles. Visit http://www.MostMusic.BlogSpot.com to contribute to our list of "Declaration of Independence" Songs and to add your comments.

Pop/Rock Singer/Songwriter AMBER is a featured Artist. To find out more about Amber, her New CD "My Kind of World" and her new Maxi Single release "Voodoo", visit http://www.Amber-MCC.com

---

The Strange Days (mostly nights) of Guns N? Roses

Kenny "Axil" Rose (Lead vocals), D.J. "Slash (Lead guitar), Joshua... Read More

Right-Hand Techniques for New Age Piano

Recently, I had a student ask me to offer some... Read More

The First Step and Most Important Thing in Learning Guitar

Most of the guitar lovers playing guitar for few years... Read More

Top Rap Song

After months of email and posts, we've finally compiled and... Read More

Karaoke Singing

This article is designed to help anyone to enjoy karaoke... Read More

If Setting The Gain Correctly is So Important, Why Dont Mic Preamplifiers Have Meters?

When you first learn how to use a mixing console,... Read More

Performing, Whats the Big Deal?

Performance anxiety is not something that only happens to musicians,... Read More

Improvising On The Piano: Jazz Musicians Do It -- Why Not Other Styles?

Why jazz piano improvisation?Why not gospel piano improvisation?Is it not... Read More

Independent Music Promotion on the Web: 3 Steps to Success

Let's face it, the wildfire spread of web-based portals designed... Read More

Motorhead Inferno

Motorhead-"Inferno"-Review by Les Lewellyn When David Grohl... Read More

1959 Stratocaster Vintage Guitars

Mid 1959 Stratocaster vintage guitars have a slab rosewood fingerboard... Read More

Bono: From Music To Fashion To Helping The Poor

U2s lead singer Bono isn't content with being part of... Read More

What is Piano GHD Syndrome?

Do you remember the movie, Groundhog Day? In this wonderful... Read More

Thomas Jefferson and the Chinese Gong

While Richard Nixon's diplomatic visit to China may have created... Read More

Buying A Guitar

There are many things to consider when buying a new... Read More

Growing and Keeping Loyal Fan Support

Fan support for musicians is a two way street. You... Read More

Legal Music Downloads

On July 28, 2004, French Internet access providers and music... Read More

Protocol for Piping a Formal Dinner: A Ceremonial Guide for Highland Bagpipers

It is believed that the custom of dining in began... Read More

Sheet Music ? Violin and Other String Instruments

The violin is a bowed stringed instrument and is the... Read More

Does Your CD Cover $ell (Or Suck)?

Oh, I know the last part of the title (Suck)... Read More

Buying A Guitar - Do You Know What To Look For?

Buying a guitar is an important decision that my students... Read More

Who?s Playing What? A Guide To The Guitars Of The Pros

Eric Clapton performs his slow-handed magic on his. Even with... Read More

Guide to Finding Music Online

Are you frustrated because finding your favorite songs on the... Read More

Why New Musicians (Rappers) Fail: Three Reasons and Solutions

Despite the title of this article, the purpose of it... Read More

How to Remove DRM from WMA - Is It Legal and Worth the Effort?

Technically, it's illegal to remove DRM from WMA protected music.... Read More

The King of the Delta Blues Singers - Robert Johnson Still Stands at the Crossroads

Probably the most enigmatic Singer and Guitarist of the twentieth... Read More

Legend Vega Releasing New Pop CD

Legend Vega is scheduled to release her newest CD this... Read More

Launch Pad Introduces Subliminal

Who would have ever thought that a call out for... Read More

The Death-Defying Warehouse Party Life: An Interview by William of Orange

About an entire local music industry that's rarely heard from,... Read More

Learn to Play the Piano

Rocket Piano is a very professionally done piano lesson package.... Read More

New Age Music - How Its Made

Different styles of music have different "sounds." We can all... Read More

Formation of a Song (Recording)

As industry insiders, we sometimes forget that when discussing the... Read More

The Life and Music of Beatle George Harrison

Propelled into fame as one of the Beatles, along with... Read More