3 Things to Know About How 'Le Freak' Was Written

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were turned away from Studio 54 on New Year’s Eve 1977. The bouncer refused them entry, even though they were established musicians.

Frustrated, they went home and wrote “Le Freak” that same night. The song’s famous opening riff came directly from their annoyance at the rejection.

“Le Freak” became one of the biggest funk songs of all time. It was Chic’s first number-one single and remains a defining track of the disco era.