The Story and The Controversy Behind 'State of Independence' (1982)

#bass #transcription #analysis #q #pophistory #paulthompson
Digging into the amazing story of Donna Summer's 1982 song, "State of Independence", from the catchy bass line to the amazing musicians playing on it, to the incredible All-Star choir, and how it foreshadowed some of Super-Producer Quincy Jones' most popular and enduring music in the 1980s. I'll also dig into the controversy surrounding its bass line and how it ties in with Michael Jackson's biggest hit song.

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[dfreeman]

Don Freeman here. Great episode as always Paul. Firstly the great Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson were directly responsible for me getting my first publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music when they put a hold on my song Carousel which I wrote with Michael Sembello. We recorded the 24 track demo at Larry Carlton’s studio so I have him to thank as well. Even though Carousel didn’t make the first version of Thriller it was eventually added to later versions such as Thriller 25th Anniversary, Thriller Special Edition etc for which I am truly grateful. Now the bridge to Carousel was a diminished minor sequence in half steps I had heard 7 years earlier on Armando’s Rhumba by Chick Corea. I emailed Stanley Clarke and he loved it. As for Jon Anderson I co- wrote 2 songs with him and played keyboards on those as well. They are “ It’s On Fire” and New Civilization which feature John Robinson and my good friend Jimmy Haslip. It was produced by Stewart Levine ( Simply Red). As for the great James Ingram we wrote a song that was recorded by George Duke called “ I Surrender” which was fantastic. I worked with Louis Johnson on a song I wrote with Jeffrey Osborne and Mike Sembello Don’t You Get So Mad. Louis killed that groove. It was produced by none other than George Duke. It was a pleasure working with those people in the studio. Peace ✌️

[michaelgambino]

Donna's voice soars on the bridge. Her voice is so pure, powerful and beautiful. I don't know why this track wasn't huge in the US. It was massive in Europe.

[gusscharr]

I’m a huge fan of the Jon & Vangelis collaboration. But when I saw Donna Summer close a concert with HER State of Independence version and brought her daughter onto the stage to sing with her, it was one of the most beautiful musical moments I’ve ever witnessed. I have never since listened to the J&V version without listening to the DS&QJ version right afterwards. Thank You for this wonderful video!

[NicholasChase]

I was (am) a huge Donna Summer fan and I LOVED that album and that cut. The album marked Summer’s first steps away from Moroder into larger possibilities that cups show even more of her voice. State of Independence for me was one of those cuts that should never have been a single, it didn’t stand a chance in US radio at the time- but it felt like an educated update of I Feel Love with still holds dance club cult status. That was its home. I heard it on the radio and as much as I loved it, the trimmed down 2+ minute version strips the life out of it and only serves to interrupt a radio DJs groove. On the album it was a mesmerizing step into somewhere else, a post-club chill room vibe. A lot of popular albums get ruined for fans by overplay. I was glad this one didn’t hit the charts, it has stayed a bright spot moment on the album for me along with their haunting, very modern rendition of Lush Life!

[michaelmode]

I remember when “State of Independence” came out and I kept my eye on the Billboard chart but was disappointed at the lack of interest in it in the US. I STILL listen to this track down to this day. And we are approaching 2025. In my opinion, this song, the sound of it, and the production of it is a masterpiece! Thanks so much for this post!

[windyleecarr]

Donnas State Of Independence has actually hit on three occasions in the UK since release. It reached number 14 on its original run in November '82. Number 45 when reissued to promote The Best Of collection in November 1990. Before finally topping it's original peak in April '96 when it reached number 13. It may never have broke the top ten but it's had a longevity only surpassed by I Feel Love here. Great song, great vocals and great production by the legend Quincy Jones. R.I.P. to both.

[MinhFong-pm]

THEEE most underrated voice of her century. She sounded more like a horn than a person, her pitch was so perfect and rich

[goosedasheen]

I'm floored by the amount of top-notch singers providing background vocals for State of Independence.

[annabellee]

Absolutely love this song - brings goosebumps every time!!

[davidpayne]

State of Independence got a lot of radio airplay in Philadelphia in 1982-83. Those of us who were there are very lucky there were DJs who didn't always pay attention to where a song was on the charts-they knew what sounded good. This was and still is one of Donna's greatest musical achievements(The all-star chorus didn't hurt either). I'm so glad that, more than 40 years later, people still have the chance to experience the pure genius that is Donna Summer and Quincy Jones. May they both rest in heavenly peace.

[TheRKae]

Everything Jon & Vangelis did was utter genius. Always interesting with outside-of-the-box thinking behind every note.

[naeem]

What a cool documentary! I remember this song from Donna Summer's live concert on HBO, and she sang it with her daughter. Her daughter had an angelic quality on the chorus part. I always remembered it and the song because it had so much volume. Thanks for sharing.🙏🏽🫶

[donnie]

This was a great album. Loved “State of Independence” and “The Woman In Me”. Both received huge airplay where I live. Surprised they weren’t bigger hits.

[Lovejazz]

RIP Legends Donna Summer and Quincy Jones, and thank you both for the legacy of great music you have left us .. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾😢😢😢😢🎤🎤🎤🎹🎹🎹( never though of a world without Quincy Jones, when it came to music, he was the world)

[leasandiford]

Loved this song as a teenager ❤️ Loved Donna Summer!

[discostue]

Thank you for all these informations. I love Donne and I'm a Fan since the early 70’ when she makes ‚The Hostage‘ and 'Lady of the Night‘. When This Album came out in 1982, I was blown away, when I hear ‚State of Independence‘ for the first time. Nearly the same impact to me like ‚I feel Love‘ in 1977. 
What a Voice, what a Chorus and what a Song it was.
Greetings from Berlin, Germany!

[melatomic]

This is one of my favourite watches of ‘24. This bass dude brings it home. Ty algorithm.

[flashflame]

I LOVE Donna Summer's version of State of Independence!! The arrangement is stunning!! The chorus singing makes the hairs on both arms stand up!!!

[geocosmicvalentine]

I remember this song because my brother was a DONNA SUMMER FAN!!! I couldn’t escape it if I wanted to, but I didn’t want to. I remember the song very well, I must have been 14 or 15. I loved the lyrics and just like everyone who owned albums, I read the credits and knew most of the legendary names in the choir and knew that they pretty much all had hit records out recently. And I remembered fully understanding that when Quincy was creating WE ARE THE WORLD, he was doing the same thing he did for STATE OF INDEPENDENCE on Donna’s album and I was here for it!

[grahamsimpson-verr]

Incredible song. Donna was an incredible singer. One of the very best who ever did it