Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

Rick Dees' 'Disco Duck' hit No. 1 40 years ago

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Today's Morning Edition music is "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots, which was was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart 40 years ago.

Dees, who was a disc jockey in Memphis at the time, says it took him a day to write the song and three months to convince anyone to record it. It's featured briefly in the film "Saturday Night Fever," but isn't on the soundtrack because Dees didn't want to compete with his own album.

That was probably not the best business decision since "Saturday Night Fever" went on to become the second best-selling soundtrack of all time.