Thursday Thirteen

I used to play guitar in a cover band in high school from about 1978 to 1981. We went out on weekends and played in bars, Moose lodges, VFW halls, volunteer fire department buildings - wherever. That was how we made our money as teenagers instead of working at fast food places that really weren't in existence in our area then.

We had a great time. Sometimes I hear songs come across Alexa and remember that we did them. 

We had a set list of over 40 songs with a good rotation - usually two disco/dance songs, a slow dance, then two disco/dance songs, etc. Our sets were about 45 minutes long, or about 10 songs a set, with four sets during the evening, usually. 

Here are 13 songs that I remember we played:

1. Lyin’ Eyes, by the Eagles. This was one of those songs that settled the room before the real dancing started. Easy harmonies, steady rhythm, and a warm way to open a night in a Moose lodge or VFW hall.

2. Reunited, by Peaches & Herb. This was a guaranteed slow‑dance moment. Couples drifted out, arms around each other, and the whole hall softened into that late‑70s glow.

3. I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor. The women always hit the floor first for this one. The band locked into the groove, and I sang harmony like muscle memory. I still like to play this song.

4. Tragedy, by the Bee Gees. This was a song I sang lead vocals. It was an ambitious song for a high‑school band. Those falsetto peaks were a thrill and a challenge every time.

5. Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, by Rod Stewart. This was another song I sang. I only sang maybe 5 of the 40; the lead singer did most of the work with me singing backup and harmony. This song was playful and a little cheeky. I remember we played in front of the intermediate school and we did this one, and my former English teacher took me aside afterwards and said she couldn't believe I could belt out a song like that.

6. Heart of Glass, by Blondie. This song was a perfect blend of rock and disco. The beat kept the dancers happy, and the guitar‑and‑keys mix made it fun to play. Mostly I had the vibrato up on the guitar and hit the low E string a lot.

7. Bad Girls, by Donna Summer. The bass player’s whistle made this one unforgettable. A tiny prop, but it turned the song into a moment, and it was the kind of thing people remembered and laughed about later. I can still hear him blowing on that whistle and trying for the higher note with it at the end.

8. Babe, by Styx. This was a sentimental slow dance that gave everyone a breather. Our keyboardist sang this song; I think it was the only one she sang. The lead singer and I would have harmonized with her. "You know it's you, babe." We played it soft, steady, and right in the pocket.

9. Play That Funky Music, by Wild Cherry. This one always took a lot out of me because it is a lot of fast guitar movement. But it was a floor‑filler every single time. The groove was simple but satisfying, and the whole band got to lean into it.

10. Hot Stuff, by Donna Summer. This was disco with a rock edge and perfect for a live band. We could push the tempo a little, and the dancers loved it.

11. Another One Bites the Dust, by Queen. This is when the bass player shone. That opening line alone could pull people to the floor, and the whole room felt the pulse of it.

12. My Life, by Billy Joel. This song was bright, upbeat, and a nice change of texture in a mostly disco‑leaning set. A song that kept the energy up without overwhelming the room.

13. China Grove, by The Doobie Brothers. This was my best lead‑guitar song. It was fast, tight, and full of those riffs that feel good under the fingers. A rock anchor in the middle of all that disco heat, and the song I always prayed I didn't mess up because the guitar was prominent in it.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 949th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.