Episode 16 of Glee's season 3 focused on an effort at using the music of Saturday Night Fever to help inspire the members of New Directions to think about their goals in life.
1. "You Should Be Dancing"
Courtesy Columbia Records
Glee's tribute to Saturday Night Fever kicks off with Blaine, Mike, and Brittany sitting in the classroom idling away time until they spontaneously dance and sing to the Bee Gees classic "You Should Be Dancing." The Bee Gees became disco superstars in 1976 when the song went to #1 on the pop chart and spent seven weeks at the top of Billboard's disco chart.
2. "Night Fever"
Despite protests from New Directions members that disco sucks, Mr. Schuester and Sue proceed by dangling a prize for the best dancers among the glee club members. A classic lighted disco floor is put down while Mr. Schuester and Sue kick things off dancing to "Night Fever." The song was the third #1 hit single by the Bee Gees written specifically for the movie Saturday Night Fever. It spent a full eight weeks at #1.
3. "Disco Inferno"
Mercedes gets her moment to shine performing "Disco Inferno" in a stunning red dress with Santana and Brittany at her side. R&B vocal group the Trammps originally released the song in 1976 and it went to the top of the Billboard disco chart as well as peaking in the R&B top 10. However, it was not a success on the pop singles chart until its inclusion on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack and a 1978 re-release that peaked at #11. Tina Turner took the song back to the dance top 10 in 1993 and Cyndi Lauper did the same in 1999.
4. "If I Can't Have You"
Following the assignment to find a song from Saturday Night Fever that helped illustrate personal goals, Santana sings "If I Can't Have You" expressing her undying devotion to girlfriend Brittany. The Bee Gees wrote "If I Can't Have You" and recorded their own version that appeared as the B-side to "Stayin' Alive." However, for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, the group's manager Robert Stigwood suggested the song be given to Yvonne Elliman. It was a good decision as the song became the fourth #1 single from the soundtrack album and the biggest hit of Yvonne Elliman's career.
5. "How Deep Is Your Love"
"How Deep Is Your Love" is Rachel's solo moment to shine in the Saturday Night Glee-ver episode. The song was originally intended for Yvonne Elliman, but instead it was switched to a Bee Gees recording and Yvonne Elliman was given "If I Can't Have You." "How Deep Is Your Love" hit #1 for the group and kicked off the string of successful singles from Saturday Night Fever. It is also the biggest ballad hit of the group's career. Boy band Take That topped the UK pop singles chart with the song in 1996.
6. "Boogie Shoes"
Vocal Adrenaline member Unique expressed his desire to be a woman and dress like a woman. With the assistance of Kurt and Rachel, he took the stage leading a strong performance of "Boogie Shoes." The song was recorded by KC and the Sunshine Band, one of the biggest disco artists at the time, for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. It was a relatively minor hit from the project peaking at #35.
7. "More Than a Woman"
It is Finn's turn to sing a song from Saturday Night Fever and he uses the opportunity to express his love for Rachel singing "More Than a Woman." Two versions of the song are included on the movie soundtrack. The Bee Gees wrote and recorded their own version, and their is an interpretation by the vocal group Tavares. The Tavares version was released as a single and peaked at #32 in the US but reached the top 10 in the UK.
8. "Stayin' Alive"
Finn announces the finale for the Saturday Night Glee-ver episode by saying that he wants to strut. He reprises the famed John Travolta opening to the movie Saturday Night Fever and attempts to replicate Barry Gibb's classic falsetto. "Stayin' Alive" was released as the second single from the movie soundtrack and quickly hit #1. It has become one of the Bee Gees' signature songs.
