Donna Summer - State of Independence | The Story Behind The Song | Top 2000 a gogo

Donna Summer (1948 - 2012) tells us the story behind 'State of Independece'. The song is originally by Jon & Vangelis, but with the production by Quincy Jones and with an all-star choir the version by Donna Summer becomes a big hit. A short documentary by Top 2000 a gogo from 2008 (Dutch Public Television).

[@weath1881]

I think she's right when she says it's one of the best songs ever recorded.

[@steverdms]

I miss her so much! What a legend! Her voice will live forever.

[@freddielaker2]

she sadly missed by a lot of us who loved her voice..... x

[@anibalcesarnishizk2205]

It is a pity,indeed.

[@rickyparrilla2426]

I had no idea all these legendary artist did background vocals for this great song. I fell in love the first time I heard this song. Donna you are Greatly missed.

[@TeddyBear-ii4yc]

There's rumoured to be a reggae version by someone... it's not hard to see as it's basically reggae anyway. 👍

[@Xacman37]

Fun fact. This is the same night that the song we are the world was born. This is where the idea came from, why Donna wasn’t included is a mystery but my thoughts are, she just had two children, and she was busy being a mama.

[@w.a.m.vandenberg178]

Dont forget that this song comes from Vangelis with Jon Anderson. RIP the Master Vangelis 😢🙏🏻

[@HeyLisa]

I prefer the Jon & Vangelis version

[@mrs.schmenkman]

She is still one of my favorite vocalists

[@fabiwilliams4644]

I find this song so spiritual & nobody else could've sung it better. Miss you Donna

[@rocky01ist]

Still miss Donna so much

[@tonynegron1927]

👍 Love her version of that beautiful song. 🌹 D.S. (1948-2012) 🎤 My favorite "Diva". Class of '83!

[@karenkalasy8251]

Her voice is so spiritual and I had many records of hersxx

[@29mirstudio]

Her voice is warm syrup dripping down my body.

[@SweptAway529]

Phenomenal song that oddly peaked at #41 here in the US - Europe got it right sending the song into the top ten throughout many countries!

[@rf6724]

No 1 in Holland

[@thesatisfiedcustomer4869]

What a woman. What a voice. She Is the GOAT for me when it come to female vocalists.

[@seanwood8883]

💯

[@enricovankeeken1624]

@@seanwood8883 ❔i don*t rEAlly like disco (music) Donna*s is dIfferent though / Germany mUst have influenced her music alOt / i feel love will Always be played in clubs / the minimalistic beat of that song brings you in some kind of trance ... and just mAkes you wanna dAnce❕

[@gotti6969]

ABSOLUTELY!!

[@gotti6969]

ABSOLUTELY!!

[@richardbutterfield412]

One of the best songs ever recorded in the history of music! Quincy and Donna - a recipe for excellence.

[@voiceimage]

You didnt have enough time here. You are missed. This Anderson/Vangelis song is one of the best ever, and you NAILED it.

[@joandominguez1941]

Great song..the voice❤

[@zentraveler1834]

This has been one of my top five songs of my lifetime.

[@rabit818]

Hair raising moment (in a good way) when Donna hit the high notes. Donna and Whitney are simply one of the greatest.

[@bmw3842]

It truly is a great song ..

[@marionnye3690]

loved this song ...i always thought it was when she became a christian s this song is very spiritual xRIP Donna

[@seanwood8883]

Wow, I just thought that was just a normal backing band/choir, not the likes of all those megastars such as MJ, Christopher Cross, dionne Warwick, stevie and the rest. State of independence is just surreal and outta this world literally. A real masterpiece

[@quantize]

both versions are fantastic, a tribute to Vangelis' genius

[@cyounger5716]

Mostly written by Jon

[@steveoglesby4120]

@@cyounger5716 That's Jon Anderson from YES. His version from his solo album "Change We Must" is the definition of EPIC. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5Kbm3mrn9-KpLM

[@stuartj1968]

One of very few tracks that gives me goosebumps.

[@denonhd8]

So, no mention of Jon Anderson (Yes) & Vangelis (Aphrodites Child) as the composers - and original performers, on their “Friends of Mr. Cairo” album.

[@twistedworld635]

Yeah, kind of pissed me off too. Wanted to rant about it, but think I'll just add to this comment and see if we can get this to appear at the top of the comments. The entire video I was thinking; wasn't this created by Vangelis? When is he going to appear?

[@monicasojka2738]

Truly!!! Love the original!!!

[@mr_don_key]

typical for the NTR to not do proper research on the origins of tracks. Only popularity counts, not the REAL deal. (sure the description on youtube says the proper credits (Jon and Vangelis) but since this documentary is from 2008, it's not IN the video. so this video description: I call that improper damage control.. SHAME ON YOU NTR! Just delete it all together, and interview Jon and Vangelis instead

[@teemusid]

It's the 4th best song on that album.

[@zuur303]

@@mr_don_key tantrum.gif

[@mr.mealldaylong8013]

I SWEAR...I 👂👂to ATLEAST 3-4 DONNA SUMMER SONGS EVERYDAY yo...💯🔥

[@seattlejayde]

I have to say THIS Donna Summers segment is SUPERBLY edited! VERY VERY VERY well done! Thank you!

[@alphatrion100]

Dutch television.

[@NYRNGR1]

Summer.

[@SaturdayKitchenLive]

Rip Donna Summer.

[@papasy3748]

This song is slowly becoming my favorite of all time, it has everything you could hope for in a piece of music, poignant, euphoric, melancholy, funky, incredibly well-made. RIP to the queen

[@jochemjonker3362]

Als kind,raakten de songs met Donna Summer me al,het begon bij het nummer "the Hostage".Die zomer was ik met mijn ouders en zus op vakantie op Schiermonnikoog, hat een Philips draagbare radio en hoorde dit nummer,met het telefoongesprek als intermezzo in het nummer. Ook de hits die hierna kwamen,waren top,waren vaak ook richting wijzend qua muziek ontwikkelingen(Love to love you baby" heeft tamelijk veel raakvlakken met bands als Kraftwerk). Ze maakte niet bepaald inhoudsloze disco,terwijl de stijl van Disco altijd is beschouwd,als muziek met weinig diepgang,message en oorspronkelijkheid.

[@bakkerem1967]

Remember this song from the eighties, it was one of the first songs I really liked. Still epic composition !

[@kervinrodriguez1833]

Rip Donna😢

[@elove2.038]

Legends!!!

[@rdo1231]

legend

[@tiedupsmurf]

Great voice Great days Great tooooon

[@qualaup]

Waanzinnig nummer, waanzinnig geproduceerd, waanzinnig gezongen!

[@JackN808]

There is more to this song than what we hear. Every time I hear it it makes me cry for joy. This song was Donna's song to the Father of Lights, Jesus Christ whom she was a follower of. 🙏🙏

[@stephenord3403]

That list of musicians, jeepers. Thanks black America 🇺🇸. Love 💘 from England

[@philmccracken179]

White people made this song. Quit kissing ass🤮

[@user-hw8kw4hz9l]

The beat of "STATE OF INDEPENDENCE" used by Quincy and Michael Jackson in the "BILLY JEAN" . Quincy was listening the album " THE FRIENDS OF Mr CAIRO".

[@rde4017]

I'm still not sure which is the best version of this unspeakably beautiful masterpiece.

[@TheFilwud]

The original, I always though Donna's lacked feeling. There was a very "up" feeling in the originals, Donna's feels a bit mechanical to me.

[@petermeeuwis8194]

And your a great singer

[@TensegrityEnergy]

@3.29 good old Bruce. Without that man many great songs would not have sounded so great.

[@rdtkga]

Love all versions of this song. Jon Anderson And Tobmobile version is my personal favorite.

[@arbonne1805]

Mine too.

[@tom080955]

Truly our disco royalty, this was our queen...she is missed The song by Jon Anderson and vandelis was brightened by her version

[@macsnafu]

Donna Summer sang a Jon Anderson and Vangelis song? What an unusual connection. Especially since Donna's voice is lower than Jon's! ;-)

[@SniffyPoo]

Miss Donna

[@chrisclarke7828]

There are times in our lives when something is amazing . This is. How sad we lost Donna early and also many more mentioned here.

[@sandraatkins2539]

Beautiful, talented Ms. Donna Summer we miss you so.

[@orsonkaart1853]

Excellent !

[@markleon411]

I was such a big fan of Jon & Vangelis and I was horrified when Donna Summer recorded this song. It deflected all attention away from the original. Then I started to appreciate this version for what it is and the incredible choir on the recording.

[@SmartRobot-wc2fb]

Mark Thorne-Barbosa: Like Lavoisier believed, "matter was neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions". Regardless of the original, which only a few people these days know about, this version is a pop-gospel-funk infused spiritual experience, like Donna herself said here. So, why bother?

[@harlandted]

Omg. Thank u

[@prog1962]

Dit nummer heeft altijd mijn stem voor de top 2000.Sinds The Hostage een van mijn favoriete zangeressen

[@MarcKloos]

Met Sjef van Oekel?

[@prog1962]

@@MarcKloos Jawel...dat ben ik dus...reeds

[@BloemencorsoNL]

RIP Vangelis 17-05-2022 > Precies 10 jaar eerder Donna 17-05-2012

[@pedrosalinas9979]

She was so f...freaking sexy. God may have her in Heaven. Rest in peace so called Black Panther, Queen of Disco, Donna the predecessor of Madonna.

[@tomatosausage4258]

No, not in the same sentence please

[@seattlejayde]

I love her

[@TheMoises1213]

May she RIP 😔❤️

[@anthonya.antonio]

This song was way ahead of its time and was not radio-friendly for 1982. If it was such a great song, why wasn't it more popular? As the second single, it didn't give the album the push it needed and after a few weeks, both the album and song fell off the charts. The song did well in some parts of Europe, Holland.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

The followup should have been Mystery Of Love.

[@anthonya.antonio]

@@Leftatalbuquerque Agreed. Perfect single

[@Fabian-jl3hb]

It was huge in europe. American mainstream pop radio's were less receptive to Donna's music since the disco demolition day.

[@GoodMrDawes]

Awesome

[@Burps___]

Chicago 💜 #DonnaSummer.

[@edwinprasing8992]

I think her version is the best, but i'm missing credits in this video for Jon& Vangelis....

[@seattlejayde]

I happened on this and was EXCELLENT!

[@gcooper642]

Jon Anderson has such a unique way of crafting song lyrics... anyway 40 odd years later I've just realised the lyrics aren't This state of independence shall we, it's shall be. Lol

[@bricharloe4337]

Donna rules

[@leonardpattison2816]

Love too Love U Baby

[@richiereverb]

No Mention of the writer and composer Jon Anderson and Vangelis . What a stunning song ! Written by Englishman Jon Anderson from YES !

[@hesselklijnstra4188]

❤️

[@peter_aka_hamamass]

To me only the J&V version has pure magic ❤️ RIP Vangelis 🙏

[@raymondhartmeijer9300]

I'm a big Yes-fan, but I disagree. Quincy Jones and Donna made something very special from the original, for me, the Donna Summer version is the better one

[@quantize]

nah, nothing hits you like that final wall of vocals, they're both great, the original is more naieve, the Summer version is funkier and more epic.

[@cal_nevari]

@@raymondhartmeijer9300 I agree. And I am a big fan of Jon Anderson and Vangelis and the versions of YES that include Jon Anderson. But I really feel more of an emotional charge from her live version and her studio version of State of Independence than Jon & Vangelis' version. Which is still very good imo.

[@lynby6231]

Yeah she turns it into a dance song and it loses everything

[@danielberiain5580]

Bonita version de un tema de vangelis. Es interesante oir la version original antes de poder opinar

[@wajobu]

The Jon & Vangelis version is far more joyful, and the studio voices contribute to the atmosphere. Nothing better than the original.

[@zonsven]

wowwwwww

[@STR82DVD]

Outrageous!!!!! Not a bloody word about Jon Anderson or Vangelis. Not a bad cover but credit where bloody credit is due. Shameful.

[@bsquared4604]

Hunter Bungay she may have talked about it, it just didn’t make this video.

[@cdeekay3420]

Take a fucking Xanax!

[@mikearchibald744]

Yes, they could at least have MENTIONED who wrote it and performed it. Most of the songs in this series have stressed the songwriters, so to not even mention who wrote a song that the singer goes on and on about how great it is, thats just bizarre. I didn't even know Donna Summer even covered this, I only know it from Jon's first album 'Animation'. As soon as they started talking about it I started to wonder if Jon had just done a cover, which seemed odd (apart from his christmas album). But anyway, it probably adds to his pension and its quite a thing to write a song that brings all these people together, but thats sort of what Jon Anderson tries to do. Thats Jon Anderson guys, the guy who WROTE the song, and to my mind did a better job with it too:)

[@bgs03548]

Eric Clapton recorded JjCales Cocaine. It made it possible for J.J. to buy a new car and stuff. They become great friends too. If artists don’t copyright songs, what can ppl do?

[@Dionysus4776]

Great story behind the song again, but please change the first sentence of the description for the video. It should be something along the lines of; "Donna Summer, who passed away in 2012, tells us the sto..." and even that doesn't feel totally right. Please have a translator check this over.

[@harrynac6017]

Skip the beginning, end the story with "in 2012 she past away"?

[@Jeff_P-1988]

looks fine in Dutch, I'm pretty sure auto translation messed it up.

[@tammierose5043]

💫🌟💫

[@Summerfan69]

They should included some clips of the big starts singing the chorus in her State of independence music video!

[@Marlon-sw4nw]

What are you talking about?.. from 2:52

[@Marlon-sw4nw]

What are you talking about..? from 2:52

[@rokapali69]

This song is written by Jon Anderson (YES) and Vangelis and they never mentioned in this video, Why??

[@PlasticDemons]

It may have been written by Jon & Vangelis but it was only ever an album track for them until they finally released it in 1984, these interviews are about the songs and why the artists recorded them not about who wrote them. It's not like she tried to pass it off as her own creation and states very early on that she wishes she had written it, which gives you some indication of what she must've thought of the original, and why she went ahead and recorded it because it wasn't for the money, cover versions don't pay very well because all the royalties go to the writers and publishers. If you want another great version try listening to Moodswings - Spiritual High (State Of Independence) Part II with Chrissie Hynde on vocals.

[@jamielim5059]

There’s only one Donna Summer 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Irene Cara looks and sounds like a younger version of her 🙏🏻

[@daniellastuart3145]

The Jon & Vangelis version is far more joyful, and more

[@geob3963]

I’m glad we have both.

[@russnoe4603]

No it isn't. Baloney.

[@ArnoldVeeman]

Nice song... Great message... By Vangelis 🙃🤦🏾‍♂️ Next time be more accurate!

[@graziacavasino8884]

Lyrics by Jon Anderson

[@LPJISKOOL]

She should have been part of We Are The World!

[@keef71]

i prefer this to the original, but why NO mention of jon & vangelis?

[@raymondhartmeijer9300]

I'm positive there is more interview from this show somewhere where she mentioned what a great lyric Jon had wrote, and how she saw the spiritual nature of it. I think they cut some bits out for KZbin

[@etierik]

@@raymondhartmeijer9300 I don't think so. Top2000 a gogo always has these 5 minutes shorts. They probably had more material, but they didn't broadcast more on tv.

[@raymondhartmeijer9300]

@@etierik mmh then I probably saw her talking about the song on a different show

[@bsquared4604]

recorded love to love you baby and gloss over the biggest hits of my career and was signed to geffen.

[@tiffanystewardbenn7922]

Can someone tell me when this video was made? I thought she past on b4 Oboma because president

[@Top2000agogo]

This interview is from 2008, actually on the day that Obama became president. She passed away in 2012.

[@sillygoose9070]

So you avoid telling the 'story behind the song'... It was written by Jon Anderson and Vangelis.

[@JustLocal]

I heard she wanted to be a rock singer!

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

She was a Rock singer. She was in a Rock band before she became famous. She was also known for having said something along the lines of, "I'm a singer who sings. Categorize the song but don't categorize me!"

[@Summerfan69]

She got some rock songs in her 80’s album look for ‘Protection’ by Bruce Springsteen in 1982 same album from State of Independence, also Highway Runner & Cold Love from the album The Wanderer.

[@gerryowen4200]

Her backup singers omg

[@TeddyBear-ii4yc]

I don't know what she'd took or if her memory issues are due to her age but she was making it up as she went along. Did they play SOI at Obamas inauguration with DS leading a host of black music royalty? It's all so confusing?

[@68404]

And MIchael Jackson stole the riff for Billy Jean.

[@FundamentalsUK]

Only watched for mention of Jon n Vangelis , she did a good cover but the writers n original should get a mention!

[@MERVILLE3]

And the mystery remains, how did they avoid Wonder ruining with one of his harmonica solos?

[@enricovankeeken9503]

! #thetimeisnow X

[@ingra888]

Donna Summer did a great rendition of the song by Jon & Vangelis.... But SHAMEFUL where credit was not given to the original artists! What are the people who made this documentry trying to hide!

[@boaconstrictor3754]

Reka bi Mišo Kovač: Poljubi zemlju!

[@Creature_NL]

Now it's the state of big farma. Glad she don't have to experience this

[@bsquared4604]

So the most phenomenal years of her career were bubble gum?

[@cdeekay3420]

B squared I caught that too!

[@NOWtheband]

To her, yeah.

[@russnoe4603]

I believe she was referring tomany of the songs before Last Dance, when she was really allowed to belt her songs out. Even Giorgio wanted her to cut MacArthur Park, so people could really hear what a great vocalist she was.

[@dunatyphon5416]

No mention of Jon & Vangelis.... But, she got Obama in....And that's what matters... Right? .... RIGHT???

[@user-wc3lg9ou7i]

👃🥰

[@darkkiss7247]

Jon Anderson and Vangelis and Moodswing with Chrissy Hynde also covered this song. Definitely recommend the latter.

[@TheMusicWiz]

Jon Anderson and Vangelis wrote it....Donna is a cover

[@vinsgraphics]

@@TheMusicWiz The brilliance is that Jon and Angelo’s could write and record a song in only a matter of minutes. Vangelis on his own improvises the vast majority of his music.

[@imcavdb5465]

Ze kommen niet, ze komme daar.... 😁

[@geeboom]

Too little credit is given here to the Master Vangelis and his muse Jon Anderson whose song this really is.

[@PREEM513]

How do you not mention your song is a cover? How you forget Stevie wonder, Michael McDonald, Kenny loggins and Brenda Russell was there? That’s crazy.

[@russnoe4603]

That was decades ago from when this interview was recorded. Plus, she wasn't actually at that session. She was very pregnant at the time.