Evelyn Thomas - High Energy

My biggest ever hit, made in 1984 for Record Shack Records, which sold seven million worldwide. How they ever went bust after that is a mystery, but I stepped in and rescued the whole catalogue from the liquidator. Twenty three years later it still sounds amazing, and isn't it about time for a remake?
I discovered Evelyn while holding auditions in 1975 in Chicago, arranged by Danny Leake, who I'd met the year before, in England, with his group, 100% Pure Poison. In February 1976, Evelyn's first record, "Weak Spot" and a song by a young Chicago postman, L.J. Johnson, both charted in the same week, and both acts were flown over to appear on Top Of The Pops, both on the same show. The entire music business was flummoxed as to how two completely unknown young black singers from Chicago, who had never even recorded before, both had hits on entirely different labels in the same week as each other. It was a further eight years before Evelyn went on to record her classic, the seven million selling "High Energy", and I wish I could have a few more of those.

[@jerseycityjoe]

This song reminds me of a good friend who is no longer here! Here's to you Tom and thank you for the sweet memories that I cheerish. It only seems like yesterday that we danced the night away to this song. Miss you!

[@nazreyes]

this song is probably one of the greatest dance songs of the 80s! Everytime this was played in the clubs in '84, the dance floor was PACKED!!!!!!! A true classic!!!

[@rhondahunter2343]

And Shannon

[@k.n.carter8089]

This would instantly PACK the dance floor when it came on in the clubs. 💃🕺

[@mrsunshineshines]

Just another in an endless line of epic classics that came from the '80s. The greatest decade for music, PERIOD

[@josephdeneza5322]

Good griefff!!! Dear God bring the 80's back and my youth too.

[@iliveintimbuktoo]

Songs like this make life worth living.

[@davidw4639]

I used to hear this blasting out of an apartment window as I walked past each day. It made me smile as I loved the song and wondered who had such good taste. One evening I met her, fell in love and 31 years later we are still together. Funny how things turn out!

[@markjenner7199]

Any one who don't feel like dancing when hearing this song has got no soul💃🕺🇬🇧

[@anstonian]

Wish I could wake up to find, today was just a bad dream, and it was still the 80's. amazing song.

[@rodchapple2598]

Wowsers this song brings back so many good memories..

[@erksengel4206]

All the people were jumping continously when dj played this song....80's..great years...great music..

[@lazarillomochilero]

I got the song last year on a DVD called ´Disco Fever¨ that has got disco hits, in which was included High Energy...when i first listen to the song I didn´t like it, but then i couldn´t help stop listening to !!!!!!!! Its amazing,great, its pure energy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@martinbeckett3367]

Still sounds FABULOUS!!!!!

[@professortiki]

I always wondered why that unique rhythm was never picked up much by anybody else. It sure had mainstream defining potential. One of the truly great dance tracks of all times! Thx for putting this up on KZbin!

[@MisterQuizzz]

This is such a classic... Make me wanna dance everytime I hear it!

[@josemarecos3186]

Temaso...este temon escuche cuando tenia 7 años......hoy a mis 44 lo sigo escuchanso...joseph from paraguay

[@leopold7562]

An earworm brought me here... I loved this song when it came out (when I was 13) and it still pops into my head every now and then. Like just now, while making a cup of tea, it started swirling around in there. It's at times like this I'm glad for the existence of the Internet, so I can punch it up and have a proper listen. Bloody marvellous tune, even today.

[@Antiliana]

This song is absolutely brilliant!! An elegant remake is definately long overdue!!!

[@jsphat81]

Wow this is like the greatest dance song ever! It really pumps you up full of energy when you hear it!

[@Perigaeum]

Amazing, how simple a harmonic structure can be ... yet totally intriguing. One of the best minimalistic songs ever. And, Evelyn is grand!

[@MrGAMA33]

j'adore ce morceau ,dynamique est entraînant,j'ai toujours autant de plaisir a le réécouter.Merci de l'avoir déposé!!

[@americomorales1772]

The bigger and beauty time of music

[@darko4402]

Es abrumadora, no tengo palabras para describir éste bombazo de hace décadas, high Top music! 🖤

[@monsterjazzlicks]

This sounded like the most MODERN thing I had ever heard when it first came out! ;-)

[@crismusv]

One of my favorite songs - It takes me back in time, yeah, was just 10 years old. Evelyn's voice it's great, I love it!

[@megapalomablanca]

One of the best dance records in that year. Takes me right back to my summerholliday in Spain... Oh, those where the days. We had the time on our side. Still, gives you energy! Thanks a lot Evelyn.

[@herrovarente]

I heard this at a party two nights ago and had to thank the DJ for an amazing mix. highhh energyyy

[@davedebang-bang6168]

I loved this song when it first came out and now in 2016 and me being 40 this year I still have this in my car and play it as loud as I can. Such a fantastic track. My childhood was all about music. We hardly ever had the tv on. We had the 12 inch version of this in our house and it got played loads. LOVE IT xx

[@cmackenzie4]

pure genius,this will have filled dance floors around the world,classic disco tune,happy music,long live DISCO

[@whiteytresor]

7 years old. fisrt fun fair. this playing. it blew my mind... and still does. surprised this is not heard of more. still absolutely blinding.

[@harleyguy5]

WOW do I miss the 80s music, just the BEST ever

[@sanderwellink2041]

One of THE biggest dance tracks ever made!

[@beaglybeagle]

Defined and launched a new genre of music through the 80s. Remarkable in every sense of the word! thank you for everything. How much of the Record Shack/Nightmare catalogue I have on vinyl!

[@Earlchaos]

I love this song, heard it first time 23 years ago when i spent half of my free time in disco :-) thanks for uploading! cheers

[@pointerbrother]

No need for a remake Mr Levine! The song is perfect as it is!!!!

[@darynsax]

awesome tune cant stop playing it, eeee the memories flooding back

[@abellara]

this was a great song.....she has a incredible voice...

[@64genoveva]

💖💖💖💖💖 a blink of an EYE!!!

[@alvarovargas497]

I love her voice. She's really awesome.

[@bevsartsandcrafts715]

I love singing like this, those strong voices over amazing backing tracks. How I wished I could've gone into it myself back in the day :D

[@Earlchaos]

I've to add more details :) This song is my all time favourite, now since 26 years. Evelyn is a goddess and the song is immortal and part of the music history. I can't tell you, how much this song has influenced me. All the best for Evelyn and you Ian! cheers, Frank

[@berndklocker4129]

fantastic !!!

[@charlesmiller9004]

One of THE GREATEST 80'S SONG!!!!!!!

[@ardianworld777]

Oh my. How can you not sit still on this track. It's a pity that I was born 2 decades too late (I was born on the same year this track was released ;) Awesome year!)

[@gilpsych8]

one of the best pre-soulful house song ever. ahead 10 years from his time.

[@erckvera]

This lady is being lifted SOOOO HIGH!

[@xxmams-r-usxx557]

Loved the 80s wow best time of our lives xx

[@TwoFourFixate]

Ian, Thank you for your great work (?pleasure?) on this beautiful work of art. You and Evelyn have given us a gift that will last . . . for eternity. Eddie Goldstein

[@HenryKpresents]

Sir Ian I remember this song vividly. I had just arrive at Germany (from a very repressed Iran of all places) and it was all over German TV and every single store; an unstopable hit. God bless you for great memories and thank you.

[@WALTKRIEG]

Who can resist to dance when this song plays ?

[@michellesavarese2470]

This is the good stuff foks, if you were one of the 12 million people who bought this record back in 1984 you know what's up...

[@blondie6659]

This is so good when you listen to this loud. Spinning round and round.

[@Oldiesbuff925]

ET performed at the club I was working at back then and brought us our biggest crowd everrrr....she was AWEsome....

[@jillbarker8219]

Brilliant ! Great to hear it again !

[@lovedommen]

still such a fabulous dance track in 2009!Play this in clubs and everybody's on the dancefloor here,like most of these fabulous 80 & 90's hits actually,nothing compare to them since!

[@legrandeanorey3860]

UNA CANCION FANTASTICA, LLENA DE ENERGIA. A MI ME PRODUCE UN SENTIMIENTO MUY PARTICULAR, DE MI VIDA, DE ALEGRIA DE LIBERACION. 1984 QUE TIEMPOS AQUELLOS.

[@eduardocastro8309]

QUE MUSICA, INIGUALABLE,UNICA, QUE TIEMPOS¡¡¡ VIVAN LOS 80S

[@Earlchaos]

Still love it, will love it forever!

[@leedorney]

Fantastic that Ian Levine gives a synopsis of the track really great ! uplifting tune too !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hernestho]

I love 80s

[@alexispotamis8882]

great stuff ,for all DJ s it s an inspiration

[@IanLevine]

Yes, Hans Zimmer played and programmed every sound and instrument on this entire recording. And that was LONG before he won any Oscars.

[@Fco1112]

Esta canción da nombre a toda un género de música, High Energy!

[@PiersTazzanoot]

Thank you, Mr Levine, for this, and SO many others!!!! ;-)

[@Rouben19]

I remember this song .... had fun in the 70s and 80s

[@mistralpandera]

Always Still Love This. ❤ It's Unforgettable ! ❤ (today: 30.9.2022) With love from Finland, Outi

[@robertomartin3235]

this can beat anything today!!!!

[@rubycapusi3838]

what a great dancing song...one of my fave in the 80's...I would love to create new retro steps... wooooohhhh😁

[@habsrookie]

She can dance and she can sing,shes the best!

[@dementeddame35]

WOW!!!!!! my all time greatest 80s song lurvvvvvvvvvve it. go evelyn

[@leicyherminiaperozoblanco9157]

woooowwww en ese año ni siquiera había nacido, pero resulta que mi padre era Dj en sus tiempos y estuve buscando esta canción por un buen rato, recuerdo que el tenia un LP que tenia en la portada un conejito con audifonos, era una mezcla de canciones de ese año ufffff estaba buenisimo. Me encanta esa época me hubiera gustado vivir esos años me parece que en lo que refiere a la música los 60 70 y 80 fueron los mejores.

[@robertsesma7143]

This song is EVERYTHING...has RuPaul Lip Sync for Your Life all Ova it...you better werk Ms Thomas!

[@MrMusicman1971]

Sir Ian Levine...this is the most famous disco ditty ever!!! Thank you for this! :)

[@MrLadeside]

We had her in a little nightclub in Ardrossan in the mid 80's......she was great and a very nice lady indeed .....great song

[@vikkij460]

I was sweet 16 when this tune was out, its as good to listen too today as it was in 84.

[@suavehinrg]

I am in my 20's and I love this song and most Hi-NRG songs I have never heard.

[@IanLevine]

She died two days ago.

[@gav29don]

I really like this song, its so uplifting. Made my morning !!!

[@felisa1218]

one of my favorite songs

[@nineteenthly]

This is way ahead of its time actually. Sounds more like an early '90s track to me.

[@Earlchaos]

Great, i love this song, heard it first about 1984. Thanks for uploading!

[@gjmantilla]

I remember this song when I was 5 years old when my mother walked the runway during her modeling days. Love the song!!

[@susandick66]

I've no heard this song in years....I loved the 12" version.

[@1CivilRightsActivist]

Amazing work, Ian ! Simply stunning! Thank you for bringing such music to the world! I have danced to your music for decades (80's and on).

[@kimmyfulton28]

well done 2 you for putting this on youtube i love it thank you.

[@sistemdevelop]

My father loves thath song, he play it when drives by the highway .I love that to. Mi padre amaba esta cancion el la tocaba mientras manejaba en la carretera.. a mi tambien me gusta . me gusta el High energy

[@jackelo6809]

Anos 80, epoca boa marcou vida de muita gente atraves da musica !!!!!!!!

[@abelta]

Wow full of energy !

[@dean1234439]

wasn't even born when this song came out but love it!

[@PHRANQ2K2]

Great times, great song, great memories!

[@neilwillis9183]

I went out clubbing with friends in the 8os and 90s who I'm still close friends with today although we don't see each other as much because of cicumstances ie some of us are married some are living with partners etc one or two of the lads have passed away through ill health rip but looking back then I'm pleased we want out listening to music like Evelyn king and the times we had wonderful memories

[@wightfurybear1000]

That's what it's about my friend

[@Jason-fn9cl]

Thanks Mr Levine another cracking tune

[@edwardjames50]

Ian, you are the man!

[@KINGOFTHEMUSIC2009SP]

Thanks Eve for this gift. You also lifted us high

[@ladybutterfly623]

awwww !!!! she's really high!!!

[@Troyis]

Remember seeing Evelyn doing a PA at Bang in London to promote the song> Still one of my all time faves.

[@scarletturcios3323]

muy buena canción del recuerdo 👍

[@Marianvr1]

I love this song.... awesome

[@nazreyes]

Mr. Levine, I have HUDREDS of dance recordings and I would put this song in my TOP 5 dance records of ALL-TIME! Thanx for recording it. This is a DANCE MASTERPIECE!!! XD

[@claratfl]

Beautiful musical

[@user-jw1cb5mn6s]

why is 80's music 100,000,000x better than anything of todays tripe.

[@promax-frefire-uwu-chamba]

+0?? YESSSS!!!!

[@leopold7562]

+0?? Because there were proper musicians with real talent, making decent music. Unlike today, where we have beautifully presented, attractive people who are hand picked and auto-tuned through some dreary cover or cliché filled drivel thrown together by some hack session writer. Or we have the latest version of rap where we're assaulted with various degrees of violence, misogyny, drug use and expletives, usually to a backdrop of something recorded in the 80s. And to think people used to call 80s music for being style over substance!! To be fair, there are still artists out there making decent music, but it's so hard to access them through the mire that's being forced into our ears.

[@EvanderSmart]

+0?? Because the 80's were EPIC, with awesome sprinkled on top

[@Fenda68]

+0?? The answer is simple. How old are you? ;-)

[@Galdamita]

hahaha good answer! i listened that song when i was a child!