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.

[@k.n.carter8089]

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

[@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!

[@iliveintimbuktoo]

Songs like this make life worth living.

[@josephdeneza5322]

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

[@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.

[@IanLevine]

She died two days ago.

[@mrsunshineshines]

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

[@WALTKRIEG]

Who can resist to dance when this song plays ?

[@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

[@MisterQuizzz]

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

[@martinbeckett3367]

Still sounds FABULOUS!!!!!

[@erksengel4206]

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

[@alvarovargas497]

I love her voice. She's really awesome.

[@darko4402]

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

[@josemarecos3186]

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

[@MrGAMA33]

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

[@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.

[@IanLevine]

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

[@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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@americomorales1772]

The bigger and beauty time of music

[@sanderwellink2041]

One of THE biggest dance tracks ever made!

[@jsphat81]

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

[@abellara]

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

[@Antiliana]

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

[@harleyguy5]

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

[@monsterjazzlicks]

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

[@cmackenzie4]

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

[@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

[@gilpsych8]

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

[@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!

[@xxmams-r-usxx557]

Loved the 80s wow best time of our lives xx

[@Perigaeum]

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

[@darynsax]

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

[@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.

[@erckvera]

This lady is being lifted SOOOO HIGH!

[@herrovarente]

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

[@charlesmiller9004]

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

[@Oldiesbuff925]

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

[@blondie6659]

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

[@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!

[@64genoveva]

💖💖💖💖💖 a blink of an EYE!!!

[@hernestho]

I love 80s

[@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.

[@robertomartin3235]

this can beat anything today!!!!

[@eduardocastro8309]

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

[@rodchapple2598]

Wowsers this song brings back so many good memories..

[@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

[@pointerbrother]

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

[@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!

[@habsrookie]

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

[@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!)

[@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

[@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!

[@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

[@berndklocker4129]

fantastic !!!

[@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.

[@Rouben19]

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

[@suavehinrg]

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

[@marcorodriguez1077]

GRANDE EVELYN THOMAS........VIVA LA MUSICA DISCO ....

[@ladybutterfly623]

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

[@Fco1112]

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

[@rubycapusi3838]

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

[@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!

[@vikkij460]

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

[@robertsesma7143]

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

[@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

[@Earlchaos]

Still love it, will love it forever!

[@gjmantilla]

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

[@nineteenthly]

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

[@alexispotamis8882]

great stuff ,for all DJ s it s an inspiration

[@susandick66]

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

[@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

[@KINGOFTHEMUSIC2009SP]

Thanks Eve for this gift. You also lifted us high

[@PHRANQ2K2]

Great times, great song, great memories!

[@MastersGraduate2023]

Love Evelyn's militant style.

[@jackelo6809]

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

[@dementeddame35]

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

[@felisa1218]

one of my favorite songs

[@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...

[@DJTocaLa]

The soul in her voice though!

[@dean1234439]

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

[@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

[@leedorney]

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

[@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.

[@IanLevine]

Thank you to all my lovely subscribers! Please follow facebook if you aren't already. facebook.com/IanGeoffreyLevine

[@thetrxppiniqqa]

IanLevine EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING is wayyyyyy better.

[@vidmeout]

You are an absolute Legend Sir. I started DJing back in the 80's in Portugal and this track was huge there. Thank you for the great times! :)

[@Marianvr1]

I love this song.... awesome

[@jillbarker8219]

Brilliant ! Great to hear it again !

[@gav29don]

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

[@Troyis]

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

[@scottyr2]

classic 80's song love it not heard it for years reminds me of my holiday with the girls in benidorm 1984

[@xicano777]

Lady GaGa and these new "singers" only wish they could create a song as good as this! Long live disco!

[@amaquil1813]

Himno de los 80s. La expresión alegre de ver la vida, de vivirla, y ahora recordar la inmensa ilusión por vivir el cambio de una forma de ver y de vivir la vida

[@mistralpandera]

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

[@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

[@PiersTazzanoot]

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

[@edwardjames50]

Ian, you are the man!

[@centainec]

I love this song so much, it's so strong and I love the drums to. But it's tHe first time I see the performer. I enjoyed myself!

[@leonelflores9408]

un clasico bonita casion la baile en las Discos de los 80s una de mis preferidas hoy en dia son las mejores de esos tinpos amigo