1001 Songs Challenge #410: That’s the Way (I Like It) (1975)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…

 

KC & The Sunshine Band – That’s the Way (I Like It) (1975)

We’re leaving Ohio behind and heading on over to Florida today, dear reader. Upon reaching the Sunshine State we find ourselves in the company of KC & The Sunshine Band. Their named derived from band member Harry Wayne Casey’s surname (i.e. KC) and their being from Florida (i.e. Sunshine as in the State). Who knew? Anyway, the group was formed in 1973 and specialised in disco and funk genres. We join them in 1975 and 1001 Songs have gone with the track – That’s the Way (I Like It). Some of you may be singing along already, and why not? 

There’s nothing too complicated about the subject matter of That’s the Way (I Like It). In the track, we hear the narrator singing about being with another person and we’re talking some pretty intimate stuff here as well. We start with hand holding and feeling great before moving over to warm embraces and being alone together. What transpires from there is not explicitly stated but one can imagine what the narrator is referring to and the refrain of the song’s title leaves us in little doubt also. 

That’s the Way (I Like It) is one of those songs that is instantly recognisable and catchy in equal measure. One could argue the chorus is a little bit repetitive but you lose yourself in the music so deeply that you simply do not care. I do like this song but, personally, my preference would be for the track, Give It Up, which is another absolute gem from around this period. This is still a welcome inclusion on this list though and the disco era is definitely in full swing now as we continue our musical odyssey.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Doors – The End (1967)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

Derek & The Dominos – Layla (1970)

David Bowie – Life on Mars? (1971)

Rod Stewart – Maggie May (1971)

Stevie Wonder – Living for the City (1973)

Patti Smith Group – Piss Factory (1974)

Sparks – This Town Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us (1974)