Four decades after disco enjoyed massive mainstream popularity, the sound returned as one of the most pervasive in pop music. “Disco is coming back in full force,” XHTZ (Z90) San Diego director of programming R Dub told Billboard in March. “It’s Studio 54 all over again.”
Doja Cat, “Say So”
Dance/Mix Show Airplay Peak: No. 1
After a viral breakthrough in 2018 with “MOOO!,” Doja Cat became an unlikely top 40 mainstay with the retro-leaning “Say So.” Released as a single at the start of 2020, it topped the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart for 12 weeks and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 when Nicki Minaj hopped on a remix.
Justin Timberlake and SZA, “The Other Side”
Dance/Mix Show Airplay Peak: No. 35
The pairing of Justin Timberlake and SZA on the funky throwback from the Trolls: World Tour soundtrack, released in March, charted on the Hot 100 and R&B and pop charts. The track’s music video, which features SZA decked out like a disco ball, has over 24 million YouTube views.
Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”
Dance/Mix Show Airplay Peak: No. 1
Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia lead single, released in October 2019, became her highest-charting Hot 100 hit yet, peaking at No. 2 — and ruled Dance/Mix Show Airplay for 16 weeks. It also earned her record and song of the year Grammy nominations. She even titled her November livestream concert Studio 2054, a not-so-subtle nod to the era that inspired the project.
Kylie Minogue, “Say Something”
Dance/Mix Show Airplay Peak: No. 35
The Australian pop veteran returned with the aptly titled Disco, led by the shimmering lead single “Say Something,” which arrived in July and has since garnered 4 million U.S. on-demand streams, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
Lady Gaga, “Stupid Love”
Dance/Mix Show Airplay Peak: No. 8
The pop superstar continued this year’s disco revolution with her frenzied Chromatica lead single, which arrived in February and peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100 in mid-March. Her disco-house follow-up, the Ariana Grande collaboration “Rain on Me,” did even better, reaching the global charts.
This article originally appeared in the Dec. 19, 2020 issue of Billboard.
