1978 Hit Reached No. 1 After Featuring in a Classic Movie

Saturday Night Fever was a perfect encapsulation of everything that made the '70s so distinct, from the bold outfits to the catchy disco music. Yvonne Elliman's "If I Can't Have You" became an enduring anthem of the film, featuring on the official soundtrack and catapulting the performer to international fame.

The song wasn't just a hit for the film-it became a disco success story in its own right. Originally written by the Bee Gees, the song was crafted exclusively for Saturday Night Fever, but became so popular that it peaked at No. 1 when released as a single.

The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978-the year after Saturday Night Fever had first hit theaters across the United States.

Alongside the Bee Gees' tracks "Stayin' Alive" and "How Deep is Your Love", it became one of the soundtrack's most recognizable staples. Elliman's version of the song is a roaring, emotional ballad with a groovy disco rhythm that made it just as catchy as it is moving.

The Bee Gees would later release a cover of Elliman's song that was equally popular with listeners, even if it wasn't quite an enduring chart success. Their rendition was overshadowed by another iconic track, to which it was released as a B-side. That song was "Stayin' Alive", which remains one of the Bee Gee's biggest hits.

Speaking about "If I Can't Have You" back in 2011, Elliman admitted that she "wasn't much of a disco fan", but that something about the Bee Gee's lyrics still captured her attention. "The disco thing was fun, but it was glittery and I wasn't into glitter. I was really into classic rock, my jeans and my guitar."

She later described the feeling of reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as a "tremendous high". But it wouldn't be the last time Elliman found herself on the charts; the artist had several more hits in the late '70s, including "Hello Stranger" and "Love Me".

While Elliman stepped back from performing in the '80s and '90s, her rendition of "If I Can't Have You" has ensured that she's remained in the conversation among other disco legends ever since.

The song perfectly captures the spirit of the disco period, with the Bee Gee's universal lyrics and Elliman's soulful performance making for a perfect collaboration.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 12:26 PM.