Introduction:
Contrary to popular belief, the disco smash Open Sesame was not written and performed by the Bee Gees. Open Sesame is actually a 1976 disco song by the American band Kool & the Gang. It was written and produced by several members of the group including Ronald Bell, James “J.T.” Taylor, and George Brown. Open Sesame found a place on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, a film that propelled disco music further into the mainstream and helped solidify Kool & the Gang’s reputation as disco pioneers.
While the Bee Gees are recognized for their own brand of disco that emerged in the late 70s, Open Sesame is a reminder that numerous disco artists were making significant contributions to the genre during that era. Kool & the Gang, formed in the mid-60s, had already established themselves as a successful soul group before embracing the disco sound. Open Sesame exemplifies the characteristics that made disco so infectious: a driving bassline, rhythmic percussion, and catchy horns. The song itself is built around a simple yet effective melody and lyrics that encourage listeners to get up and dance (“Open Sesame, let the feeling flow”).
Open Sesame was a commercial success**. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, becoming Kool & the Gang’s first number-one single. The song also performed well internationally, reaching the top ten in several countries. Open Sesame further solidified Saturday Night Fever’s status as a cultural phenomenon and helped introduce Kool & the Gang to a wider audience. The song remains a popular choice for dance floors and a reminder of the enduring appeal of disco music.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Open sesame”
Get down with the genie.
“Shazam”
“Groove with the genie.”Open sesame of love.Fly – open up your mind.
Get down with the genie.Get down with the genie.Get down with the genie.
“I am the genie of sound.”“Everybody get down hooah!”
Open sesame of love
“Abracadabra”“Get on your camel and ride”
Open sesame of love
‘Alakazam”
Get down with the genie.