Michael Gray 'The Weekend' The Making Of A House Music Anthem

Michael Gray shares the story behind one of the ’00s most recognisable dance tracks, ‘The Weekend’.
Gray tell us how ‘The Weekend’ was once a forgotten project on his hard drive, originally inspired by Oliver Cheatham’s ‘Get Down Saturday Night’.
The original version of the track used a simple vocal hook, which when pressed up as a white label took Ibiza by storm in summer 2003.
Subsequently given an official release with expanded vocals, ‘The Weekend’ challenged the likes of Beyoncé and Eminem in the UK charts. Gray also tells us of his awkward Top of the Pops experience, the iconic music video, and how the track is still championed today by some of the world's biggest DJs.
Electronic music history is rich with unforgettable and timeless classics. In our series, DJ Mag explores the tales behind some of the world's favourite dance tracks, told by the people that made them.
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[@DJMag]

Be sure to subscribe and check out more classics in our The Making Of series 🤝

[@Wolf78-kx8kt]

Please make "the making of" about Stellar project "Get up , stand Up". 👌

[@KJSone]

Subscribed

[@mxamboii1983]

Can you do one on "Barbra Streisand" by Duck Sauce

[@cheaptp]

Alison Limerick “ Where loves lives” please please please !🙏

[@mxamboii1983]

He's not with us anymore, but maybe if possible do one on Children by Robert Miles

[@KJSone]

This tune made Ibiza soooooo more memorable - along with Lola’s theme - my my my - rocking music - soooo many great tracts sooo many great memories

[@DJMag]

Anthems!

[@TayWoode]

Sounds like you were there roughly same time as me as those ones always remind me of the big ones played in Ibiza 2004 , just like Eric Prydz Pjano playing in every bar, shop, club, restaurant, pool bar in 2008 😂

[@TheJuanshouse]

Good times. Stupid Disco!

[@KJSone]

@@TayWoode Yeah - 2004, was the best year of my life and my introduction into House music - by 2006, I was a DJ and club promoter in London - that’s how much the music affected me - I came home from Ibiza in 2004 and packed Bora Bora beach into my suitcase - I went 3 times in 2004 - I find it very difficult to put these tunes on now or mix them. The memories are so emotional we still talk about it to this day. Me and my friends - been to Ibiza over 20 times but nothing sticks out like 2004 - I’m so glad you was there to experience it - 🌹

[@KJSone]

@@TheJuanshouse stupid disco - legendary track, especially the vocals - 👌

[@wadefleming]

A defining tune of the 2000s era... takes me straight back. What a time to be alive.

[@TimHoekstra]

Two minute flashbacks, what a time to be alive!

[@Spectrvm____]

All the 70’s sampled tracks of the time like this one, Lola’s theme, Lady, Music Sounds Better With You, Make Luv etc really defined the sound of early 00’s. I miss it dearly 😢

[@elektrogstanzl]

THE tune of 2000s clubs 🎉

[@jaket282]

He seems like a thoroughly nice chap, his constant smiling is infectious. Nice throwback!

[@LastBastion9999]

Michael is a legend in the house music community - his discography is INSANE! Glad you were able to nab him to explain the creation of this anthem for the world. He seems like a genuinely nice guy as well. Keep on keepin' on, Mike!

[@AKAmalindos]

What a track, I remember hearing this on radio as a teenager when this was just released, the way that bass drops...goosebumps

[@DJMag]

Love this !

[@Niko80s]

im in my 40s and still getting goosebumps when listening it !

[@disclosure]

Absolute banger

[@user-iy1kn1ly9y]

The weekend and Lola’s theme might be the most iconic dance tracks ever

[@richboy900]

Axwell feel the vibe also, around similar time. Good times

[@aphale]

I've been waiting for this video since I found out about these "Making Of" series. I believe this alongside Benassi's 'Satisfaciton' and Prydz 'Call on me' (lets leave the Bangalter discussion aside), were the tracks that hooked me into electronic music in my teen years. Definitely brings back good memories.

[@DJMag]

Glad we managed to include some of your favourites!

[@YUSSEB8E]

Him and John Pearn as Full Intention, legends

[@kristoffscuba5466]

Agreed

[@HarveyMmusic]

probably in my top 5 of all time

[@medici3365]

One of the Greatest Old Skool Vibes.

[@Dezzasheep]

The fact you call this old school horrifies me.

[@WillyJunior]

If it's post-2000 it's not old skool, sorry bud

[@Meechooilka]

Michael Gray is such a talent! Still working, still relevant, still serving it to the children.

[@neiloughton]

Everything this man touches is absolute gold.

[@djyems1021]

This along with Lola's theme are my two most favourite childhood house songs when i was a toddler when they were both released in 2004. These are my two of the most favourite house songs ever ever i hold dear in my heart.

[@DJMag]

Have you checked out our video on Lola's Theme?

[@MichaelGilbank1]

Sammmmeeee

[@SeattleLifeguard]

This track never stopped being cool. I'll never let go of my 12" copy!!!

[@TheSupercharger1981]

Duke - So in love with you (Full Intention remix) guaranteed to get anyone on the dancefloor.

[@andymallon6440]

Amazing remix that is. Still gets mentioned now.

[@Makenzyfly]

thanks, it's really a banger !

[@samsnite]

Thank you Michael Gray for this banging emotional tune! Still gives me goosebumps like the first time i heard it when it was new!

[@DaisyyV21]

No way!!! I still play it every Friday!!! 💃🏽🪩 Such a gem of a song!! ❤️❤️

[@DJMag]

The best way to start the weekend!

[@iankirmann]

How can it be really possible? Just recently started digging into discography of Michael (heard only Full Intentions before) and now my favourite channel makes the video. Universe is really talking)

[@frandevereaux]

fantastic to hear him speak about his career. I had not idea he was behind Full Intention.

[@paulmulligan2895]

still sounds top class, such a tight production

[@ar_nim]

Not just a cool tune, but Michael Gray is such a cool guy as well! Enjoyed this interview.

[@DJMag]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamesgardening7451]

fantastic to learn Michael was Full Intention loved those tunes and remixes

[@DerpSerpi]

8:17 when a song makes a comeback like that, you know that it's pretty much gonna be around forever as a classic. must be an incredible feeling if you made the song

[@Rjey1512]

So thankful that we were able to be a part of this 🫶🏻 Monday night to the club Tuesday night to the club Wednesday night to the club Thursday night to the club Friday night to the club Saturday night to the club Sunday night, what a headache Once again another week starts. Monday night to the club ❤ again n again 🫶🏻 begin, begin, begin, begin. Thank you Michael ❤

[@tman1890]

My Fridays never pass without listening to The Weekend original 12" mix/vocal mix/ i even watch the music video as it fits the song perfectly🤌, it's now a routine i swear... Michael Gray did a number on this one ❤ 🇿🇦

[@TheDA1983]

Still one of my favorite songs...ever!

[@jadeduh4555]

Till this day!! I can't stop jamming to this instant classic. In the 2000s, house had a New Old sound.

[@paulhelsby]

Iconic, Timeless, Generational spanning, from a generational talent. Michael Gray is still killing it. I still buy every Michael Gray release and remix he puts out on Traxsource... and they all smash the dancefloor. Give this man his flowers in the history of House, Disco-House, Nu Disco, Soulful House that he deserves. A bonafide Legend. Up there with Dave Lee, Grant. Nelson, Dimitri From Paris for me.

[@traceywoods405]

Michael Gray absolutely incredible … this is such a fantastic interview , loved watching …. ❤❤❤xxx

[@fraktalfox]

One of the greatest house records of our time

[@DVDVization]

Hands down, a top song which is still very often played in Belgium on friday. I love the vibe!

[@mcgherkinstudios]

I can’t wait for this video to begin!

[@dehendriklechatwillekens]

omg. what a radiantly happy face and guy. makes me smile too

[@kjwworldwide]

I played this at my job 3 years ago and now it's a theme at work every Friday

[@Blackmamba12345]

Such a classic track this

[@djpedrocarrilho]

Fantastic tune! I was lucky enough to work with Shena a decade ago, incredible voice

[@GeorgeBeyond]

Great guy, great story! Love that track, especially without the vocals.

[@mort6727]

I was a kid when it was released...it was and still my favourite tune many years after 🎉🎉 just huge banger!!!

[@chambersofhourrors9393]

Thanks again for another story behind a classic banger!

[@DJMag]

Thanks for listening

[@DJMethod415]

I discovered this song living overseas in Hong Kong when it came out and have been playing it ever since. Absolutely legendary track I spin it all the time

[@PopulationProblem]

A timeless, perfect, simple piece of dance history...a go to tune, a pick me up tune, a getting ready tune, a "the dancefloor needs filling" tune. The best thing is we DON'T need to wait til the weekend

[@krooner]

Thank you sir for making the night back then worth living. How was these days...

[@gaz909909]

I just want to be clear how much Michael's work, from Greed (instantly thinking of Baby D - So Pure), Full Intention (I chased down as much of their work as I could in the 90s - First Choice Armed And Extremely Dangerous probs being a stand out for me) and then The Weekend - I remember playing the original with the epic opening out to a crowd and it was SO ICONIC!! Still is. This man's work is exemplary and the groove levels through the roof. Thank you so much for the vibes!!

[@ValerioReali]

Each production or remix he makes it's pure class , his music never sound too old .

[@dwaynelarose278]

Wow love how he low key throws out the fact that is part of the group FULL INTENTION! I love them!

[@shhh616]

I remember buying the single from hmv big track 💯

[@leogotv]

Great memories to this awesome track. Thank you very much for the flashbacks. ❤🎉😊😊😊

[@j_s_w]

Great days at uni to this track. Fair play for him to credit the singers and everyone involved. Doesn’t happen a lot.

[@JamieByrne1977]

Never been to Ibiza. Wasn't a big club guy but this damn this song is SO of a time. It's sexy, deep, nostalgic and haunting.

[@rishipatel3665]

used to play this 9am on a Monday on the bus to work!

[@DominikOliverCseh]

Michael Gray what a legend. Everything he touches become gold ❤

[@TheTrancemaster90]

aahhh, at that time house music was so lovely, nostalgia hits hard

[@user-lz1xm6ez6t]

This was a very big tune in South Africa in the early 2000s , this is a classic

[@SJSnowdon]

this man just felt every producers dream, well played buddy

[@AfroSamurai1089]

I used to think this was a South African house track. So much nostalgia.

[@willNNN]

Absolute banger of a record that I still play regularly 🔥🔥🔥

[@angelicMisha]

I was 15 or 16 when it came out and I was instantly amazed, impressed and hooked. A classic for eternity, thank you Michael!

[@ZacharyAghaizu]

One of my favourite house songs! The synth Chords just give me goosebumps! The sample chopping and vocals! This song is candy to the ears.

[@CJ-gp9yh]

I was a working nightclub DJ in Japan when this record came out, I’d been playing all the Full Intention remixes he talked about.. but when this record came out it was absolutely massive! Thanks Michael Gray for all the great tunes!

[@tellerrecords]

LEGEND!!

[@neddy1287]

Nearly every weekend that song kept playing in the pub and the nightclub it never got old

[@JohnnyHouse]

The Weekend (Original 12" Mix) - no words needed

[@jockstrapper]

His remix of Scope's Be my friend and Somewhere Beyond bring a smile to my face everytime, so many good memories!

[@Cargo_Bay]

Love the channel and videos you do with artists about classic hits! It would be dope if sometime you do one of these on any of the people involved of these tracks: "Get Away" by Maxx, "U Got 2 Let The Music" by Capella, or any 2 Unlimited track tbh.

[@SpacedockRecords]

Of course it's iconic, the video as much as track. very beautiful natural girls without any vulgarity, following amazing lyrics with great choreography. Done with such a style.

[@DJAUDIO1]

I literally play it every week at my events. Such a feel good banger.

[@Targus28]

Played his His Still In Love With You Remix last weekend at a gig in Atherton. Always goes down a treat and that track still doesn't sound old even thou it is.

[@RVDENT]

Legendary track

[@DELUNA_ofc]

imagine creating an anthem like thisss !!!!

[@marchkg8935]

Huge respect to you Sir; great track and greater tracks as Full Intention. I love the story behind it and the touch of humanity about the little twins!

[@pcpassion5616]

Still get goosebumps when I hear this

[@andysgtslick4425]

I remember when it came out so many house DJs here in AU were freaked out by the way the rhythm stutters in that little fill that happens at the end of every 4 bars.. now it's just embedded in our minds :) Brilliant record.

[@ohill5]

Ah, such a tune! My first ever (and not particularly good) warm-up set, Tall Paul was headlining, and he gave me a proper education on what a good set was - I was in awe at the time. But…there was one tune he dropped and it blew the place up, no-one had heard it before, I certainly had never heard it before , and it was of course - Michael Gray “The Weekend”. Few months later, had my first trip to Ibiza, and I heard this song again in Eden and the same thing happened. A classic, an anthem, and will always be in my all time top 10 for this reason.

[@DJMag]

Been hearing it ever since! Great story

[@pauljakeman]

Absolute timeless house track. Really good seeing how it came around.

[@StevieCooper]

I went into my clubbing years as an 18yo with these tracks. I tried to learn how to DJ at this time too. Turns out I was better off in my current industry. I miss these times x

[@6eneration]

This song started a new era of House music in my opinion. That bassline, pad, lead and vocals are so on point in this track. A timeless masterpiece and my favorite 00's tune. Michael Gray simply is a genious

[@djassassinuk]

Always been fond of this record and Love a bit of Get Down Saturday Night by Oliver Cheatham too!

[@imrebese5502]

"Get Down Saturday Night" was also the base for another house classic anthem: "Room 5 - Make Luv" was also sampled from that song. It's very interesting to see how a great classic can inspire producers in 20 years time, to create new records from it. And now these songs are also 20+ years old...

[@Yankeeyumstore]

Well the weekends finished in the UK so thanks DJMag

[@DJMag]

Only 5 more days to go !

[@bluesdeliciousmusic]

It was a good time for house music, so much great releases in those years. The weekend brings back good memories from that period, nice to hear the story so thank you!

[@Music_Blueprint_78]

I have thrown this song on a few of my mixes. Outstanding melodies and bassline!

[@Tuhoeterra]

love this really adds to the magic of these classics.

[@abijahmaniaco]

I first heard it as the opening track of The Disco Boys Vol. 5. A masterpiece in every respect. 🙌

[@blairwilliams136]

Track never gets old and never fails to deliver the vibe !

[@Bthelick]

You don't hear a progression like that often. 1 2 b2 6 in house is unique. that's why I always loved it ❤🔥

[@rubbish90]

Just such an iconic tune, glad Michael's able to look back with great pride

[@slydelvecchiomusic]

Man what a tune!! Forever a banger

[@andrewdickens7016]

I never knew Michael grey was in full intention - wow

[@djmarkalmond]

Michael Gray is amazing producer and remixer, I still say one of his must under rated remixes has to be Vicky D This Beat is Mine.. Such a bangin' tune, but true to the original. Thanks Michael!

[@FiloMJ]

after seeing this, I feel emotional and I don't know why simply amazing

[@lovrokantoci]

timeless

[@camtyler3576]

It's always hard to say what will happen with these brilliant records when they are released. One thing is for sure though. Music with soul will forever be authentic and it will be enjoyed in many different ways. I for one, will continue dancing to this particular record until I can't dance no more. Peace.

[@RD-qn4gt]

One of the GREATEST HOUSE TRACKS EVER!!!! I was on fire when I 1st heard this in the early 2000's. It became the sound track to my life.

[@djemmay]

I’ve been collecting Michael’s music since his Greed days, and Pump Up The Volume is still one of my all time faves (RIP Ricardo Da Force). Full Intention remixes of Duke, Michelle Gayle, East 57th St, Black Connection and The Fog,soundtracked the 90’s for me. The Weekend is one of my favourite tracks due to those lush pads in the breakdown. It’s great to hear how the track came about. Thank you.

[@mdgarciasa]

Great track... and the man goes on producing great music for today's nu disco and deep house crowds

[@RUANFREITAS]

Awesome. thanks dj mag