Sister Sledge – He’s the Greatest Dancer

Quick facts

Introduction

Released as the lead single from We Are Family, “He’s the Greatest Dancer” became one of Sister Sledge’s defining disco tracks. Its infectious groove, flashy lyrics, and Kathy Sledge’s youthful lead vocal helped it cross over from dance floors to radio, capturing the spirit of the late 1970s.

Background & release

Produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic, the song was recorded in 1978 during sessions for We Are Family. The youngest sister, Kathy Sledge, just 19 at the time, sang lead vocals. She also fronted the group’s signature follow-up hit “We Are Family.”

The single was released in February 1979 on Cotillion/Atlantic, and club play quickly pushed it onto the charts. Sister Sledge initially had concerns about suggestive lyrics, but Rodgers and Edwards retained the original lines, convinced it reflected the era’s nightlife scene.

Composition & lyrics

The song paints a portrait of a disco Lothario, possibly inspired by John Travolta’s Saturday Night Fever character, whose style and moves make him the center of attention on the dance floor.

• Lyrics unusually name-check designer brands of the era: Halston, Gucci, and Fiorucci.
• Instrumentation features Edwards’ distinctive bass line, Rodgers’ funky rhythm guitar, disco strings, and tight percussion, with Kathy’s lead supported by layered harmonies.
• The narrative places emphasis on style, glamour, and nightlife confidence, making it a time capsule of late-’70s disco culture.

Music video / performance

• Sister Sledge promoted the single with televised performances and appearances in music video programming.
• The official video shows the group performing with disco styling that matched the imagery in the lyrics.
• The record also became a dancefloor staple, ensuring consistent live renditions in Sister Sledge concerts throughout the disco era.

Chart performance

• US Billboard Hot 100: Peaked at #9 (May 1979)
• Billboard R&B & Dance charts: #1 (March 1979)
• UK Singles Chart: #6
• Australia: #5
• Netherlands: #1

Reception & awards

The single was praised for its infectious groove and storytelling. Billboard called it one of the strongest club tracks of the year. In retrospective rankings, it is often listed as one of the greatest disco songs, and Billboard named it among the 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

Cultural impact

• Sampled by Will Smith in “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It” (1997).
• Covered by Dannii Minogue (2007) and remixed in various club versions.
• Its designer label name-drops foreshadowed pop’s long relationship with fashion references.
• Still widely included in disco revival sets and playlists.

Personnel & credits

• Kathy Sledge – Lead vocals
• Debbie, Joni, Kim Sledge – Backing vocals
• Bernard Edwards – Bass, co-writer, co-producer
• Nile Rodgers – Guitar, co-writer, co-producer
• Tony Thompson – Drums
• Chic Strings – Orchestration
• Luther Vandross – Backing vocals (early in his career, before his solo success)

Timeline

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