Rodgers began his career as a session guitarist in New York, playing with the Sesame Street band in his teens, and then working in the house band at Harlem's renowned Apollo Theater, backing artists like Aretha Franklin, Ben E. King, Nancy Wilson, and Parliament Funkadelic.
He met bassist Bernard Edwards in 1970. They formed a rock band called The Boys (later known as the Big Apple Band) and played numerous gigs around New York City, but despite interest in their demos, they could not get a record contract when the music companies discovered they were black; the discrimination of the day said black artists couldn't play "rock".
These experiences, in addition to activist tenor of the times, led to Rodgers' active involvement in the Black Panther Party in New York City. The 1999 documentary film Public Enemy contains history and interviews with Rodgers about these times. Not the type to give up on their musical dreams, in 1977 Rodgers and Edwards joined forces with drummer Tony Thompson to form the funk/R&B/disco band Chic, and went on to score numerous top ten hits and helped propel disco to new levels of popularity. Their songs "Everybody Dance", "Le Freak" and "Good Times" remain among the most sampled songs of the late 1970s/early 1980s R&B era.
"Good Times" signals the start of the take-off of hip hop music as its sample immensely contributed to the success of Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight, the first rap hit ever. Chic dissolved in 1983. As Chic's tight sound and yet rich composition became increasingly popular and sought-after, Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers began doing record production, sometimes together, sometimes apart. Rodgers and Bernard Edwards produced, wrote, and performed with the band Sister Sledge.
In 1980 they produced the album diana for Diana Ross, yielding the smash hits Upside Down and I'm Coming Out (which remains Ross' best selling album).
In 1981, Deborah Harry worked with both Rodgers and Edwards on the album Koo Koo.
In 1983, they produced David Bowie's album Let's Dance (to date Bowie's biggest-selling album) with several hit singles, and in 1984 produced Madonna's blockbuster album Like a Virgin, Madonna's breakthrough album, spawning her two signature hits ("Material Girl" and the title track). Rodgers helped develop Madonna's career significantly. Duran Duran worked extensively with Rodgers after he produced the hit single, "The Reflex", in 1983 and followed up with "The Wild Boys" for inclusion on their 1984 live album Arena. Rodgers also produced Sheena Easton's 1985 album "Do You".
In 1986, he produced the entirety of Duran Duran's Notorious album, which yielded a #2 title track hit. During a live set, Simon Le Bon introduced Rodgers, saying "Well, this band went through a difficult time (during Notorious). The band might not have made it if it weren't for this gentleman..." He contributed to numerous other projects and appearances with members of the band throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and in 2002-2003 helped to produce Astronaut, the new album by the original five members of the band.
Also in 1987 Rodgers produced the Grace Jones album Inside Story for Manhattan records.
He formed the short-lived experimental band Outloud in 1987 with acclaimed French session musician/producer/keyboardist, Philippe Saisse; they released a single album, Out Loud, on Warner Bros. Records. Saisse has often played with Rodgers during in the Chic tours.
After a 1992 birthday party where Rodgers, Edwards, Paul Shaffer and Anton Fig played old Chic hits to rapturous response, Rodgers and Edwards organized the reunion of the old band. They recorded new material and played live all over the world, to great audience and greater critical acclaim. In 1996, Rodgers was honored as the Top Producer In the World in Billboard Magazine, and was named a JT Super Producer. That year he performed with Bernard Edwards, Sister Sledge, Steve Winwood, Simon Le Bon and Slash in a series of commemorative concerts in Japan which provided a career retrospective. Unfortunately his longtime musical partner and close friend Bernard Edwards died of pneumonia during the trip, a blow that Rodgers took very hard.
In 1998, Rodgers founded Sumthing Else Music Works music label and Sumthing Distribution, the largest African-American owned independent music label distribution company in America. Sumthing currently focuses on distributing a fast-growing new genre: video game soundtracks. Soundtrack titles include Halo, Halo 2 and the upcoming Halo 3 soundtrack. It has been underminded that he produced a legendary album called A Great Long While By Jamband great's known as Strangefolk where he put his pop and rock know how and incorporated a great Jamband album.
The September 11, 2001 attacks prompted Rodgers to create the We Are Family Project to help begin the healing process. To begin, he organized a re-recording of the song he and his music partner Bernard Edwards wrote for Sister Sledge called "We Are Family" with more than 200 musicians, celebrities, and personalities. Director Spike Lee filmed the "We Are Family" music video and director Danny Schechter filmed a documentary depicting the recording sessions called The Making and Meaning of We Are Family. The film was chosen as a Sundance Film Festival Special Selection in 2002. Rodgers continued the healing process and produced another "We Are Family" recording and music video involving more than 100 beloved children's television characters. The children's music video airs as a public service announcement on Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and PBS stations to promote the message of a common humanity. In July 2002, Rodgers officially created the We Are Family Foundation to celebrate the vision of a global family by creating and supporting programs that inspire and educate people about mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Rodgers received a NY Chapter's Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award and a Heroes Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. On September 19, 2005, Nile Rodgers was honored at the Dance Music Hall of Fame ceremony in New York when he was inducted for his many outstanding achievements as a producer, along with former fellow band mate Bernard Edwards. CHIC has been nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame three times - 2003, 2006 and 2007. In the summer of 2006 Rodgers served as musical director for the tribute concert to Ahmet Ertegün at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland. The concert included performances by Chic, Robert Plant, Steve Winwood, Stevie Nicks, Kid Rock and many other artists who were signed to Ertegün's Atlantic Records. In 2007, Rodgers made contributions to the upcoming Wu-Tang Clan album, 8 Diagrams. He also wrote the title song Love Me Sexy from the movie Semi-Pro, starring Will Ferrell.
Do What You Wanna Do
Nile Rodgers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you? (Do you wanna party?)
One drink, two drink
I think it's time for me to hit the floor
Three drink, four drink
I think that I needed a little more
No time, no time to waste
Let's get it right now, let's get it right now (Do you?)
No time, no time to waste
Let's get it right now let's get it right now
East side to west side
Down side to up higher
Late sitting at home alone
No trip bring your friends along
And let us do it!
Do you wanna party? (Wanna party?)
Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you? (Do you wanna party?)
Do you wanna party? (Do you wanna party?)
With somebody!
Do you?
Do you? Do you? Do you?
Do you? Do you? Do you?
Baby don't sweat it
Slide with me, your boyfriend can't get in, no
And were gonna drink so much
Just probably forget em
And we got the town so lit (Oh!)
I wanna know something
Tell me who you tryna go home with (Huh!)
Let me know something
Tell me who you tryna go home with (Huh!)
(Do you?)
No time, no time to waste
Let's get it right now, let's get it right now (Do you?)
No time, no time to waste
Let's get it right now let's get it right now
East side to west side
Down side to up higher
Late sitting at home alone
No trip bring your friends along
And let us do it!
Do you wanna party? (Wanna party?)
Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you? (Do you wanna party?)
Do you wanna party? (Do you wanna party?)
With somebody!
One drink, two drink
I think it's time for me to hit the floor
Three drink, four drink
I think that I needed a little more
Tell the DJ play some jinx on
A little 2 Live Crew, lil' boo
I'm looking so good tonight, uh
My jacket and my shoes three'fit
Do you wanna party?
Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you?
Do you wanna party?
With somebody!
Do you wanna party?
Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you?
Do you wanna party?
With somebody!
Get it right now!
Wanna party?
Do you wanna party?
Do you wanna party?
Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you?
Do you wanna party? (Wanna party?)
Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you? (Do you wanna party?)
Do you wanna party? (Do you wanna party?)
With somebody!
Do you wanna party?
The lyrics of Nile Rodgers & CHIC's song "Do You Wanna Party" are a call to action for people to come together and celebrate, urging them to let their hair down and have a good time. The repetitive question "Do you wanna party?" serves as a hook to draw listeners in and create a sense of anticipation. The song revolves around partying, drinking, and dancing, and the lyrics elicit a sense of excitement and urgency. The singer urges the listener not to waste any more time sitting at home alone and to bring their friends along to join in on the fun. The lyrics also express a desire to forget the mundane aspects of life and just enjoy the moment.
The verses describe a scene of people drinking and dancing, with the lyrics focusing on the increasing levels of intoxication. The singer urges the listener to let go of their inhibitions and drink more to get into the party mood. They also reference different parts of town, indicating that the party is inclusive and open to everyone. The chorus acts as a central theme, a call and response between the singer and the listener, implying that everyone is welcome to join in on the party. The bridge amplifies the party spirit, emphasizing that the night is all about having fun and not worrying about anything else.
Overall, the lyrics to "Do You Wanna Party" represent a typical call-to-party anthem, with messages of drinking, dancing, and living in the moment. They express the notion that partying provides an escape from the mundane aspects of everyday life, encouraging people to let loose and get lost in the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you wanna party? (Wanna party?)
Asking if the listener would like to join in on a party.
Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you? (Do you wanna party?)
Repeating the question to emphasize the invitation.
One drink, two drink
Starting to drink alcohol.
I think it's time for me to hit the floor
Ready to dance.
Three drink, four drink
Having had several drinks.
I think that I needed a little more
Wanting to continue drinking.
No time, no time to waste
Being ready to party hard and not waste any time.
Let's get it right now, let's get it right now (Do you?)
Encouraging everyone to start the party immediately.
East side to west side, Down side to up higher
Inviting everyone from different places to come join the party.
Late sitting at home alone, No trip bring your friends along
Suggesting that instead of staying home alone, one should bring their friends to the party.
And let us do it!
Encouraging everyone to let go and have fun.
With somebody!
Emphasizing the desire to dance and party with someone else.
Baby don't sweat it, Slide with me, your boyfriend can't get in, no
Assuring the listener that they should just join in on the dancing and not worry about any issues with their significant other.
And were gonna drink so much, Just probably forget em
Planning to have so much fun that they will forget any problems or worries.
And we got the town so lit (Oh!), I wanna know something, Tell me who you tryna go home with (Huh!)
Announcing that the party is so lit and asking the listener who they are interested in going home with.
Tell me who you tryna go home with (Huh!)
Repeating the question to make sure everyone knows they are invited to be a part of the fun.
Let the DJ play some jinx on, A little 2 Live Crew, lil' boo
Requesting the DJ to play some energetic music and mentioning some artists to help set the mood.
I'm looking so good tonight, uh, My jacket and my shoes three'fit
Feeling confident and stylish in their outfit for the night.
Wanna party?, Do you wanna party?, Do you wanna party?, Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you?
Reiterating the invitation to party.
Get it right now!
Urging everyone to start the party immediately.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANIEL HARLE, GMAL LEWIS, NILE RODGERS, THOMAS TROELSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@100MUSICLOVE
Nile Rodgers “Do What You Wanna Do” http://ow.ly/zBAIz (Official Lyric Video Premiere)
American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist Nile Rodgers is back to the music spotlight to finally promote his own music. The lead guitarist and co-founding member with Bernard Edwards of the band Chic, returns with something that only he can make, a good disco music.
The new single is called “Do What You Wanna Do” and it’s the first taste of his highly-awaited fifth solo studio album, scheduled to be released later this year via Cr2 Records and Kondor. This marks his return after achieving international success again with his collaborations as producer and performer with French house duo Daft Punk and Swedish progressive house producer Avicii.
“Do What You Wanna Do” is scheduled to be released on digital retailers on August 10th.
@kontorrecords
Let’s have a smooth Sunday with Nile Rodgers!
@kontorrecords
Sunday = Funday
.. so do what you wanna do :)
@supergamer5530
Kontor.TV im new on YouTube please can someone help me improve my one videp
@kontorrecords
Time to play a little disco…
Please welcome Nile Rodgers and his good mooding summer tune ‘Do What You Wanna Do’ on Kontor.TV!
@DomingosMultichannel
nice song
@user-zc5jf4zg3z
very nice song.i love this song
@MoacirGeekMusical1
I like this '70s atmosphere :)
@lollol-sn8gl
vete tu
@kontorrecords
Also taken from our Summer Jam 2014 compilation!
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