Music Sounds Better With You

Album: Best Club anthems '99 (1998)
Charted: 2 62
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In 1998 Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter formed the anonymous one-off disco project Stardust with studio buddies Alan Queme and Benjamin Cohen to record this nu-disco anthem. The song was released independently in Bangalter's native France on his own Roule label in 1998, and it took Ibiza by storm that summer and was the club smash of 1998. However, when Bangalter was offered a £3 million deal for a full Stardust album, he declined.
  • The bassline guitar is a sample from a Chaka Khan track "Fate," which appeared on her 1981 album, What Cha' Gonna Do For Me.
  • Despite rumors to the contrary, Bangalter insists in interviews that the suggestive lyrics are not about drugs.
  • Madonna's "Get Together," from her 2005 Confessions on a Dance Floor album, samples this song.
  • The Michel Gondry-directed music video follows a young boy as he builds a model airplane and watches a video countdown on TV, featuring Stardust up against fictional bands. Gondry has directed classic music videos for Björk, The White Stripes, The Chemical Brothers, and others.
  • The song originated when Alan Queme was invited to perform at the Rex Club in Paris. He asked Thomas Bangalter to play keyboards and Benjamin Diamond, who he knew from school, to sing. "We were searching for a new song, looking for things to sample," he told The Guardian. "Benjamin put on Fate, a Chaka Khan track, and that was it. We knew it had something, so we sampled it and jammed around, playing it during the live show. Afterwards, we decided to make a record, spending a week collaborating in Thomas's studio."

Comments: 2

  • Alex from SheffieldMy favourite song ever. Absolute perfection
  • Sam-whoo-ra from BrazilOne of the best songs of all time, no wonder.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.