Day 43: Space – Magic Fly
Album art courtesy of United Artists Records
Who knew that there was a short-lived genre known as space disco? Before today, I sure didn’t. I have a running list of bands I need to listen to on my phone, and Space on there. Not sure where that one came from. But if there’s one thing that was bound to be right up my street, it’s sci-fi themed disco music performed by men in space suits.
The French electronic synth pop band, fronted by Didier Marouani, released their debut album Magic Fly in 1977. They created the titular track after an astrologer asked Marouani to make a song for an astrology-themed TV show. He says took the meeting with her because he thought the astrologer was hot, and she presented him with his birth chart. A few months later, she asks him to make her a theme song. Marouani, then a pop singer, bought a synth and says he wrote the song “Magic Fly” in three minutes.
The TV show never came to fruition, but the group Space was born. At the time, Marouani had another record deal, so he decided to put on a space helmet to disguise his identity, and he named the band “Space” because everyone thought the music sounded like space sounds. Why complicate things if you don’t need to? Just plop a helmet on and call yourself Space. Who needs to do contract negotiations or brainstorm for band names? Clearly not Didier Marouani.
I love Space. Not even just as a space-themed novelty act, they’re genuinely just incredibly fun. It’s groovy 1970s spaceship disco music that makes me want to wear a shiny boiler suit and point a ray gun at my intergalactic foes. Barring that, it might just be a fun band to listen to while cooking or pottering around the house. Another rip-roaring success for my album a day project. I had heard “Magic Fly” before, but I’m not sure I would have properly explored Space, or space disco, without this.
It’s a strong 8.5/10. The album itself bangs. Could’ve done without having a song called “Velvet Rape” on it, but we’ve already established that names are not his strong suit.