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Bad Girls (Donna Summer song)

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Wikipedia article


{{Infobox song

| name = Bad Girls

| cover = Bad_Girls_(France).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Artwork for French release

| type = single

| artist = Donna Summer

| album = Bad Girls

| B-side = On My Honor

| released = June 23, 1979

| recorded = 1979

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 4:55

| label = Casablanca

| writer =

| producer =

| prev_title = Hot Stuff

| prev_year = 1979

| next_title = Dim All the Lights

| next_year = 1979

}}

"'Bad Girls'" is a song by American singer Donna Summer from her 1979 seventh studio album of the same name. It was released as the album's second single on June 23, 1979, by Casablanca Records. The song was produced by Summer's regular collaborators Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, and co-written by Summer and the members of Brooklyn Dreams, Bruce Sudano, Edward "Eddie" Hokenson and Joe "Bean" Esposito.

"Bad Girls" became a worldwide success, peaking within the top-ten in seven countries, including Spain and New Zealand. In the United States, it spent five weeks at number one on the 'Billboard' Hot 100, from the weeks of July 14 to August 11, 1979; and sold over two million copies, simultaneously becoming, alongside "Hot Stuff", her most successful single. The single helped the 'Bad Girls' album to reach multi-Platinum status in the United States. Summer placed three songs in the top 12 of the 'Billboard' 1979 Year-End chart, "Bad Girls" at

number 2, "Hot Stuff" at #7, and "MacArthur Park" at #12. Additionally,"Heaven Knows". Summer had 3 additional songs released in 1979 and they all made the 'Billboard' 1980 Year-End chart, "Dim All the Lights", "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" with Barbra Streisand and "On the Radio".

Background



The inspiration for Summer to write the song came after one of her assistants was offended by a police officer who thought she was a street prostitute.

A rough version of the song had originally been written a couple of years before its release. Casablanca Records' founder Neil Bogart, upon hearing it, wanted Summer to give it to Cher for her upcoming album. Summer refused and put it away for a couple of years.

"Toot Toot! Ah! Beep Beep!," the chanted vocal refrain in the song originates from the Latin boogaloo track "Bang Bang" by the Joe Cuba Sextet (1966). The chant in "Bang Bang" was incorporated into the song after a gig Joe Cuba's sextet played for a black audience that wasn't particularly receptive to mambo or cha cha cha; the audience started chanting as the pianist in the group played a riff.

A 12" version of the song was released as a medley with "Hot Stuff". Although "Hot Stuff" was extended for the 12" version, "Bad Girls" remained in the four minutes, fifty-five seconds album version. A demo version of the song was released on the "deluxe edition" of 'Bad Girls'.

Awards and nominations



The song was nominated and won the award for "Favorite Pop/Rock Single" and "Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist" at the American Music Awards in 1980. Summer was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording at the 22nd Annual Grammy Awards in 1980.

Cover versions



Jamiroquai regularly performed this during live sets. JayKay also performed a live version with Anastasia.

British Singer Juliet Roberts also did a cover version in 1998.

Charts and certifications



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



All-time charts



Certifications



References



Category:1979 singles

Category:1979 songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Cashbox number-one singles

Category:Donna Summer songs

Category:Songs written by Donna Summer

Category:Casablanca Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Giorgio Moroder

Category:Song recordings produced by Pete Bellotte

Category:Songs written by Bruce Sudano

Category:Songs about prostitutes

Category:Disco songs

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