Their first ever single was Out There in the Jungle (Polydor 1976), but the height of their career came with the two Robert Jan Stips produced albums 10 Mistakes and Back to 78, both released in 1978.
They came to popularity just after the height of punk, but were regarded as more post-punk, veering more towards the mainstream pop. They were much admired for their live performances, which had great humour--even slapstick. Their biggest hit in their native Netherlands is Disco Really Made it (#11 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1978), but their most well-known song internationally is Beep Beep Love (from the album Ten Mistakes), which enjoyed some success in both U.K. and U.S.
The U.K.'s Radio & Records voted them "Top Newcomer '78". In July 2006 the Japanese girl band Puffy AmiYumi recorded a new version of Tokyo, originally recorded by Gruppo Sportivo in 1978.
Gruppo Sportivo kept recording and performing on and off until December 2013, when the group announced and performed their (initially) final show in Haarlem, The Netherlands. However, they reformed in 2018 and released a new studio album the same year, titled Great. They went on another promotional tour which ended in 2019.
In the summer of 2021 they began recording new music, with - for the first time again in over 40 years - Robert Jan Stips as the producer.
Disco Really Made It
Gruppo Sportivo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was a low budget disco movie romance
She had lips like a lolly but she couldn't sing
It was a greasy production - boring
In Holland they got fantasy
They're trying to do the same movie you know
Rock 'n' roll it's over now
Today it's flat comb
Well well well
I was pushing through a disco on roller skates
I blame it on my tee shirt I couldn't get a date
And when the lights in the dancing floor flashed on
I couldn't keep my eyes open too long
I don't know why I fall asleep
It must be that disco beat you know
Rock 'n' roll it's over now
Today it's flat comb
And unga unga unga unga disco
Disco really made it
It's empty and I hate it
Top ten (top ten)
Radio (radio)
Hello (hello)
Disco (disco)
Goodbye (goodbye)
Rock 'n' roll (rock 'n' roll)
It's all over now
And I should have known
At ...(?) told me
'They're really good
They're gonna be a smash down here in Hollywood'
That's it! Right on!
Let's go to Hollywood!
No bikes no dikes no wooden shoes - ooh ooh!
In Holland they got fantasy
They're trying to do the same movie you know
Rock 'n' roll it's over now
Today it's flat comb
and unga unga unga unga disco
Disco really made it
It's empty and I hate it
Top ten (top ten)
Radio (radio)
Hello (hello)
Disco (disco)
Goodbye (goodbye)
Rock 'n' roll (rock 'n' roll)
It's all over now
And I should have known
Disco really made it
Disco really made it
Disco really made it
Disco really made it
Disco really made it
Disco really made it
Disco really made it
Disco really made it
It's empty and I hate it
(c) Gruppo Sportivo
The lyrics to Gruppo Sportivo's song "Disco Really Made It" are a critique of the disco era of the late 1970s. The song tells the story of a woman who is in love with a DJ but can't dance, and is part of a low-budget disco movie production. The singer of the song falls asleep at a disco on roller skates, and realizes that rock 'n' roll is over and disco has taken over. The song repeats the phrase "top ten, radio, hello, disco, goodbye, rock 'n' roll, it's all over now" as a statement of the pervasive influence of disco music at the time.
The lyrics are clever and ironic, poking fun at the superficiality of disco and its domination of popular music. The line "it's all over now, and I should have known" suggests that the singer regrets not recognizing the rise of disco earlier and taking action to preserve rock 'n' roll. The repetitive chorus of "disco really made it, it's empty and I hate it" is a clear statement of the anti-disco sentiment that was present in some segments of the music industry and among fans of other genres.
Overall, "Disco Really Made It" is a humorous and insightful commentary on a specific moment in music history, and a testament to Gruppo Sportivo's sharp songwriting skills.
Line by Line Meaning
She was in love with a DJ but she couldn't dance
She had feelings for a disc jockey but she lacked the ability to dance.
It was a low budget disco movie romance
Their relationship was like a poorly made disco-themed film with a low production budget.
She had lips like a lolly but she couldn't sing
Her physical appearance was attractive, but she did not have singing talent.
It was a greasy production - boring
The movie was unappealing with a cheap and dull production quality.
In Holland they got fantasy
Netherlands has a vivid and imaginative culture.
They're trying to do the same movie you know
They are attempting to make a similar movie like the disco romance film but with their own cultural touch.
Rock 'n' roll it's over now
The era of rock and roll music has come to an end.
Today it's flat comb
The current music scene is unexciting and unimpressive.
and unga unga unga unga disco
The new popular genre of music is disco music with a monotonous and unvaried beat.
I was pushing through a disco on roller skates
The artist was attempting to maneuver through a crowded disco while wearing roller skates.
I blame it on my tee shirt I couldn't get a date
The singer attributes his lack of success in obtaining a date to the outfit he was wearing.
And when the lights in the dancing floor flashed on
When the strobe lights on the dance floor illuminated the room
I couldn't keep my eyes open too long
The flashing lights were too intense for the singer's eyes to handle for an extended period of time.
I don't know why I fall asleep
The singer is unsure why he feels drowsy in the disco.
It must be that disco beat you know
The repetitive beat of the disco music could be the reason for the singer's fatigue.
Top ten (top ten) Radio (radio) Hello (hello) Disco (disco) Goodbye (goodbye) Rock 'n' roll (rock 'n' roll) It's all over now And I should have known
The popularity of disco music has peaked and the new musical trend spells the end for rock and roll. The artist expresses regret for not recognizing this fact earlier.
At ...(?) told me 'They're really good They're gonna be a smash down here in Hollywood'
An unidentified person informed the artist that a musical act is talented and becoming very popular in Hollywood.
That's it! Right on! Let's go to Hollywood!
The singer is enthusiastic about the prospect of pursuing a music career in Hollywood and encourages their group to pursue it.
No bikes no dikes no wooden shoes - ooh ooh!
The singer sings that they are willing to leave behind their Dutch heritage and stereotypes in order to make it big in America.
Disco really made it It's empty and I hate it
Disco music has become successful but the artist despises the genre and how it lacks substance.
Contributed by Nathan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@qgde3rty8uiojh90
This perfectly captures the disco era. Gruppo Sportivo's best song.
@vincentpele6851
A réécouter d'urgence! Pour l'ensemble de leur oeuvre!!
@cheytan
100% d'accord
@cheytan
fantastic band <3
@prikprak1970
Bestaat er ook een clip van "Hey Girl" ... ??? Nummer op zich is wel op Youtube te vinden, behalve de beelden van eind jaren '70. Ik zou het leuk vinden om die weer 'es te zien.
@DeeshBassChannel
❤️
@BertBlanco1962
This song is just a gimmick. I love this song AND i love disco. No problem.
@TLicht-gy2bc
Ich Bin Die Arme Monika..
@klitohopper
Ook een ode aan Ome Leo?
Unger, Unger, Unger.....