1978 Disco Classic, 'Le Freak' Among Best-Selling Singles of All Time, Was Inspired by Rejection

Forty-eight years ago, the iconic '70s disco group Chic dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six weeks with their hit song, "Le Freak."

Released on September 21, 1978, as the lead single from their second studio album, C'est Chic, "Le Freak" was a massive success. Upon its release, it climbed up the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 1 for six non-consecutive weeks. By taking the top spot three separate times between December 1978 and January 1979, it became the first song in history to achieve this feat. "Le Freak" also topped the R&B and Disco charts for seven consecutive weeks.

Aside from its undeniable chart dominance, "Le Freak" also experienced significant commercial success. In November 1978, the track was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after selling over 1 million copies. It later achieved Platinum status and went on to sell over 7 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling single in history for Atlantic Records.

Produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic, "Le Freak" is recognizable for its driving bassline and signature groovy sound. The track blends funk influences with quintessential disco elements to create a stunning track that defined the genre in the late '70s.

Co-written Rodgers and Edwards, "Le Freak" was inspired by an incident when the band was famously turned away from the Studio 54 nightclub in New York on New Year's Eve. The original chorus lyrics were a profane, "F- off!" but were later altered to "Freak out!" to appeal to a wider audience. Despite the change, the rebellious sentiment remained the same.

To this day, "Le Freak" is still a massively popular song that continues to persevere in the streaming era with modern audiences. On Spotify alone, the track has accumulated over 89 million streams, attesting to its lasting ability to move audiences across generations.

Related: 1972 Rock Classic, Named No. 1 Hit Song for Six Weeks, Became a Breakup Anthem

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 4:02 PM.