Artist: Donna Summer Album: I Remember Yesterday

Year: 1977
Duration: 0:0-1

Remembering Donna Summer's I Remember Yesterday

Donna Summer, also known as the Queen of Disco, is one of the most renowned artists of the 70s and 80s. Her disco hits, such as Last Dance, Hot Stuff, and Bad Girls, are timeless classics that have become an integral part of our pop culture. Amongst her numerous records, her 1977 album, I Remember Yesterday, stands out as a significant milestone in her career. Inspired by the various musical genres that were popular in the 20th century, Summer crafted a unique blend of funk, soul, and rock into her disco music. In this critical review, we will examine the album's history, genre, best songs, most innovative parts as well as critique its overall impact.

I Remember Yesterday was a conceptual album that told the story of music's evolution and progression. Summer arranged the album's songs in a chronological order, starting from the 1920s and ending in the future. The album featured three different soundscapes - the past, the present, and the future - and Donna Summer changed her vocals to suit each era. For example, in the song I Remember Yesterday, she sings in the style of a 40s big-band singer, while in Love's Unkind, she emulates early 70s soul singers. The album's unique concept and variation of musical styles provided a fresh perspective on disco rather than following the cookie-cutter formula of other disco artists.

The album's genre-bending approach had a significant impact on the industry as well. I Remember Yesterday helped bridge the gap between the rock and soul audiences, who traditionally had little interest in disco. The album also showcased Summer's versatility as a vocalist and creative force, which earned her praise beyond the disco scene. Critics hailed the album for its fresh sound, inventive concept, and innovative take on disco.

The album features a number of memorable tracks but there are certain standout songs. Tracks such as I Remember Yesterday, Love's Unkind, and Back in Love Again demonstrate a range of styles and emotions over the decades. They showcase Summer's ability to masterfully blend various musical genres without compromising the album's flow. I Feel Love, the album's most successful single, is noteworthy for its futuristic, robotic sound, and for cementing the use of synthesizers and electronic instruments in disco music.

The most innovative part of the album, however, is how Summer foresaw the future of electronic music. The closing track, I Remember Yesterday (Reprise), features a synthesized sound that would prove to be a precursor to the invention of house and techno music. The song's repetitiveness and minimalist production became a blueprint for electronic dance music that we still hear today.

Donna Summer's I Remember Yesterday is a masterpiece that highlights her ability to fuse various musical styles into unforgettable disco music. Her innovative approach to the album's concept and genre were instrumental in bridging the gap between audiences that had little interest in disco. Tracks such as I Feel Love, and Love's Unkind, showcase Summer's versatility as a vocalist. The album's most significant innovation is how it predicted the future of electronic music with its synthesized sound. Overall, I Remember Yesterday remains a timeless classic and a definitive statement on the evolution of modern music.