When Wansel was 12 years old, he got the job of a gofer for the Uptown Theater in Philadelphia, going to get sandwiches and clothes out of the cleaners for the various acts that performed at the venue like Stevie Wonder and Patti Labelle. Many years later, Wansel would co-write a number one R&B hit for Labelle. In 1975, Wansel met Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff when he was a member of a band called Yellow Sunshine, which also boasted guitarist Roland Chambers who would later become a part of MFSB, the house band for Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records. Becoming a part of the staff creative collective, Wansel began arranging, playing keyboards, and writing songs for the label's acts including the O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, and the Intruders, among others.
When Patti Labelle signed with PIR, she recorded Wansel's "Shoot Him on Sight," a song Wansel intended for Jackson Browne, on her 1981 album The Spirit's in It. A song Wansel co-wrote with Kenneth Gamble and Cynthia Biggs, the lovely unrequited love ballad "If Only You Knew," held the number one R&B spot for four weeks in early 1984. It was on her I'm in Love Again LP, which went gold, hitting number four R&B.
A partial list of Wansel-associated sides would include Jean Carn's popular radio-aired LP tracks "I'm in Love Once Again," "You Are All I Need" (music by Instant Funk), "Where Did You Ever Go," "Free Love," and the dance classic “Give It Up"; Shirley Jones' “Last Night I Needed Somebody" and "She Knew About Me"; The Jacksons' "Keep on Dancin'," "Living Together," "Do What You Wanna Do," and "Jump for Joy"; The Stylistics' “Hurry Up This Way Again,"; keyboardist Patrice Rushen covered “Hurry Up This Way Again"; The O'Jays' dreamy ballad "I Really Need You Now"; Phyllis Hyman's radio-aired track "Living All Alone"; The Jones Girls' "We're a Melody", the exotic "Nights Over Egypt," "Love Don't Ever Say Goodbye," and "Why You Wanna Do That to Me"; Archie Bell and the Drells' "Old People"; and Evelyn "Champagne" King's "Till I Come Off the Road" and the radio-aired LP track ballad "The Show Is Over."
Wansel's own charting LPs were Life on Mars from summer 1976 (includes two tracks with Instant Funk, "Life on Mars" and “You Can Be What You Wanna Be"), What the World Is Coming To, Voyager (with its great space-age oriented graphics) from spring 1978, and Time Is Slipping Away from 1979. Several tracks from his LPs were radio-aired LP tracks (the lushly orchestrated “Theme From the Planets," the spacy, funky "Disco Lights") and some songs — "Together Once Again," "One Million Miles From the Ground," and "Holdin' On" — are still in singers' repertoire today. "Holdin' On" was a radio-aired LP track from actor Lawrence Hilton Jacobs' self-titled album produced by Lamont Dozier. "Global Warming" from the 1991 PIR/Zoo/BMG CD Universe Featuring Dexter Wansel received some airplay on smooth jazz radio stations. During the '90s, Wansel continued to work with the reactivated Philadelphia International Records and occasionally toured.
Dexter Wansel-related releases are Grover Washington, Jr. Ultimate Collection, Heaven & Earth-That's Love, Best of MFSB: Love Is the Message, and Best of the Intruders.
I’ll Never Forget
Dexter Wansel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The first night that we met
On the floor, Studio 54
Ah, virgines's at night
Is New York City's delight
At Xenon's disco fever is strong
There's no other place
Like L.A. Cafe and Oake's in L.A.
Will always be my unforgetable dream
I will never forget
Dancing at the discoteque (dancing at the discoteque)
Like Jason's in the heart of flaxon (ah, ooh, ooh)
And where it all began (where it all began)
In London, England and France (London, let's dance)
Let's dance our way into romance (dance, dance)
There's so much to see (there's so much to see)
At Emerald City, a disco fantasy
How great Bogart can be (how great, ooh, be)
Nothing can beat Chicago's B.B.C.
Chicago, Chicago, Chicago
And Pittsburgh, PA, Reflections they say
Is where the Steelers play
There is so much to see
In Emerald City, a disco fantasy
Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia
The home of May
International Discos,
Maxine's,
Kaleidoscope,
Club Nectarine,
And Princess Jane
In Philadelphia
Second Story
And Kim Braise
The song "I'll Never Forget" by Dexter Wansel is an ode to dance culture and the iconic disco clubs across the United States and Europe. The lyrics reminisce about the first night that they met at Studio 54, a famed nightclub in New York City, and goes on to mention other popular spots like Xenon's and Charlie's Chili. The song also travels across the Atlantic to London, England and France where the iconic dance clubs like Flaxon and Jason's are mentioned. As the lyrics continue, the song lists other top dance spots in cities like Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta, highlighting the diversity of the disco culture in this era.
The song's lyrics radiate with a passion for dancing and the disco culture. The way that the lyrics describe each club and location emphasizes the unique experience that each place offers. The emotions conveyed in these lyrics also suggest that beyond just being a night of dancing, going to these spots was almost a religious experience for the people of that era. By listing all of these venues and talking about the culture, it almost feels like a way of immortalizing that era in dance music history.
Overall, the shifting focus of lyrics as they explore the different dance clubs and discotheques of America and Europe has made the song a timeless classic. It taps into the electrifying and carefree energy of the disco culture, a time when young people could let their hair down and just dance to forget the troubles outside the dancefloor.
Line by Line Meaning
I will never forget
I will always remember
The first night that we met
The first time we met is unforgettable
On the floor, Studio 54
We met while dancing at Studio 54
Ah, virgines's at night
Nightlife in New York City is legendary
Is New York City's delight
New York City's nightlife is amazing
At Xenon's disco fever is strong
Xenon is a great place to dance in New York City
There's no other place
There is nowhere else
Like L.A. Cafe and Oake's in L.A.
L.A. Cafe and Oake's are unique places in Los Angeles
For me Charlie's Chili
Charlie's Chili is my favorite place
Will always be my unforgetable dream
I will never forget Charlie's Chili
I will never forget
I will always remember
Dancing at the discoteque (dancing at the discoteque)
We had a great time dancing at the disco
Like Jason's in the heart of flaxon (ah, ooh, ooh)
Jason's disco is a special place in our hearts
And where it all began (where it all began)
This is where our love story started
In London, England and France (London, let's dance)
We danced a lot in London and France
Let's dance our way into romance (dance, dance)
Dancing together brings us closer
There's so much to see (there's so much to see)
There are many great places to visit
At Emerald City, a disco fantasy
Emerald City is a great disco with fantasy elements
How great Bogart can be (how great, ooh, be)
The music at Bogart is amazing
Nothing can beat Chicago's B.B.C.
B.B.C. is the best club in Chicago
Chicago, Chicago, Chicago
Chicago is a great city
And Pittsburgh, PA, Reflections they say
Reflections is a great club in Pittsburgh
Is where the Steelers play
It's also the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers
There is so much to see
There are many great places to visit
In Emerald City, a disco fantasy
Emerald City is a great disco with fantasy elements
Ladies and gentlemen,
Attention please,
Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia
Welcome to Atlanta
The home of May
May is a great club in Atlanta
International Discos,
There are also many other international clubs
Maxine's,
Maxine's is a great club in Atlanta
Kaleidoscope,
Kaleidoscope is another great club in Atlanta
Club Nectarine,
Club Nectarine is also a great club in Atlanta
And Princess Jane
Princess Jane is yet another great club in Atlanta
In Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia
Second Story
Second Story is a great club in Philadelphia
And Kim Braise
Kim Braise is another great club in Philadelphia
Writer(s): Dexter Wansel, Cynthia De Mari Biggs
Contributed by Josiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@philippeachourite5642
waouh quelle ligne de basse j adore!!!!! en plus les voix derriere t'ensorcellent!!!! géniales ces années 70!!!! never forget these nights on the dance floor at studio 54!!!!. yeah baby time is slipping away..................
I will never forget
the first night that we met
on the floor "Studio 54"
Ahh "Regines" at night
is New York City's delight
at "Xenon's" disco fever is strong
There's no other place
like "LA Café"
and "Osco's"in LA
For me "Charlie's Chili"
Will always be
My "Acapulco Dream"
I will never forget
Dancin at the "Discotheque"
Dancin at the discotheque
Like "Jason's" in the heart of Boston
And where it all began
Where it all began
London England and France
Lets dance let's dance our way into romance
There's so much to see
There's so much to see
at "Emerald City"
a disco fantasy
How great how great how great "Bogarts" can be
Ooh wee nothing can beat
Chicago's "BBC" Chicago Chicago Chicago
In Pittsburgh PA
"Reflections" they say
is where the Steelers play
There's so much to see
at "Emerald City"
a disco fantasy
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Atlanta Georgia
the home of "Phases"
International discos
"Maxine's" -- "Kaleidoscope"
"Club Mediterrane"
and the "Princess Chain"
In Philadelphia the "Second Story"
and "Kim Graves"
@TheEpic1976
I'll Never Forget (My Favorite Disco)
Dexter Wansel
Music by Dexter Wansel
Words by Dexter Wansel And Dr. Cynthia Biggs El
I will never forget
the first night that we met
on the floor "Studio 54"
Ahh "Regines" at night
is New York City's delight
at "Xenon's" disco fever is strong
There's no other place
like "LA Café"
and "Osco's"in LA
For me "Charlie's Chili"
Will always be
My "Acapulco Dream"
I will never forget
Dancin at the "Discotheque"
Dancin at the discotheque
Like "Jason's" in the heart of Boston
And where it all began
Where it all began
London England and France
Lets dance let's dance our way into romance
There's so much to see
There's so much to see
at "Emerald City"
a disco fantasy
How great how great how great "Bogarts" can be
Ooh wee nothing can beat
Chicago's "BBC" Chicago Chicago Chicago
In Pittsburgh PA
"Reflections" they say
is where the Steelers play
There's so much to see
at "Emerald City"
a disco fantasy
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Atlanta Georgia
the home of "Phases"
International discos
"Maxine's" -- "Kaleidoscope"
"Club Mediterrane"
and the "Princess Chain"
In Philadelphia the "Second Story"
and "Kim Graves"
@a1artist
One of my favorite songs by Dexter Wansel. Beautifully arranged by Jack Faith featuring the Jones Girls. How wonderful. Thank you TSOP at its best!
@andrehenri4219
My first girlfriend & I went to a local disco way back in the 70s and we stumbled on this track. Luscious, classy and beautiful. It's stayed with me all these years. Shout out to Sherri, RIP babe always, see you around.
@LydgiaOfHarlem
One of the GREAT songs from the ERA! It can be played at a party today and still get the crowd crazy! Well, the crowd that can dig it!
@martinplatt5928
The secret genius of music.........changed my perception of music all those years ago. Amazing musician and underrated. Love you Dexter. x
@largepoodle6036
Dexter Wansel just might be the greatest musician and producer of this his time, this time, and possibly of all time. If the song doesnt carry you to the point of dancing and grooving, you just dont know legendary music when you hear it. Did Dexter Wansel pioneer funk/disco and carve the path for modern r&b, pop, modern producers in general? I mean, I have to say so. This guy is the master. I listen to this and I believe Dexter has god given talent, as well as everyone else that played a role in these sonic masterpieces
@martinplatt5928
This guy IS the Master......you're RIGHT....he deserves so much more in terms of appreciation. He's a GENIUS and I don't use that word lightly.
@seyiajala3892
I’d say him, and Roy Ayers
@anthonyd.4theloveofsoulful197
What a BeautifuL cuT that you've loaded up Dr SuperFunk, with a Dexter WanseL CLasSiC, I'll Never forget ❤ 👍🏼🤏🏽🎚🔊🎼🎵 🎶💃🏻👠🕺🏾💃🏽 👡🕺🏻👍🏼👏🏽👏🏻 🤗 Thankx sO MucH for thE SeLect 👉🏽👂🏽🎧👂🏽👈🏻 📻
@chris75sf
Awesome DISCO track !😍
@drooldj
Amazing track, smooth production.