Kool & the Gang are widely recognized and beloved as the lightweight pop funksters behind such hits as “Celebration” and “Jungle Boogie.” But few realize that one of their most popular and enduring tunes is actually about one of the most important events in American feminist history.
The band’s 1979 hit “Ladies’ Night” was recorded as a tribute to the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights conference held in the United States. While this may be surprising to those who have considered the song to be another fluffy dollop of funky pop drivel, a close look at the lyrics reveals what the song is really all about.
Many of the lyrics are adapted from speeches given during the July, 1848 convention. In fact, the chorus itself quotes event organizer Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s keynote address, in which she welcomed women to the convention by saying, “Oh yes, it’s ladies’ night! The feeling’s right! Oh, what a night!”
Another speaker at the convention was noted Quaker feminist Lucretia Mott. Kool & the Gang use several quotes from Mott’s speech on Day One of the event. For example, the lyrics “On disco lights your name will be seen/You can fulfill all your dreams/Party here, party there, everywhere/This is your night, baby, you’ve got to be there” refer to this quote from Mott: “The names of the women here tonight will light up history…We will fulfill our dreams of female suffrage! We will join this political party! Or that one! This is our night! Baby!”
During the song’s break, the lyrics specifically call out various attendees at the Senena Falls Conference by their convention nicknames. “Romantic lady” was Amelia Bloomer, while the “single baby” refers to Cady Stanton. “Sophisticated mama” was Mott’s alias throughout the event. “Come on, you disco lady” is thought to refer to fun-loving Quaker Amy Post, who was often known as the “First Lady of the dance floor.”
Kool & the Gang’s original video for the song featured band members portraying Seneca Falls attendees. Lead singer J.T. Taylor played Elizabeth Cady Stanton, while Ronald “Kool” Bell acted the part of Lucretia Mott. The video was deemed “too controversial” for early MTV due to its graphic depiction of women thoughtfully considering unconventional ideas. It was shelved by the band’s record company, although grainy bootleg versions occasionally pop up on YouTube.
This is not that video.
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You know that for a while, this article was referenced on Wikipedia as if it was a reliable historical source? It was approximately the best thing ever.
Real nice work, Nick.
Seneca Falls Convention, my ass. Buncha uptight white chicks