Let the Music Play (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Let the Music Play


Artist = Shannon
from Album = Let the Music Play
Released = 1983
Format = 7", 12"
Genre = Dance
Latin freestyle
R&B
Label = Mirage/Atco/Atlantic Records
Writer = Chris Barbosa
Ed Chisolm
Producer = Mark Liggett
Chris Barbosa
Last single =
This single = "Let the Music Play"
(1983)
Next single = "Give Me Tonight"
(1984)

"Let the Music Play" is a famous and critically acclaimed Latin freestyle song recorded by Washington, DC, area singer Shannon in 1983.

hannon version

The original version of the record was produced by Mark Liggett and Chris Barbosa, the latter of whom was a Latino from New York who composed it with Ed Chisolm. He redefined the Electro Funk sound by adding Latin American rhythms and a heavy syncopated drum sound isolating it from sounding like Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock" and Freeez's "IOU." This made "Let the Music Play" the first freestyle record in history.

The song played a surprisingly historic role in Western pop music. By the early 1980s, the backlash against disco had driven dance music off mainstream radio stations in the U.S. The rhythmic ingenuity of "Let the Music Play" allowed it to circumvent the prevalent anti-disco bias and become a huge hit, hitting #8 on the U.S. Singles Chart and #1 on the U.S. Dance chart ushering in the dance pop era. "Let the Music Play" is considered to be the song that opened the door for such other acts as Madonna, Jody Watley, George Michael and many others.

The song has been remixed numerous times, and several artists have covered the record. In 1996 Scottish singer Mary Kiani (see below) covered the song and hit the #19 spot on the UK singles chart, her second solo single.

In 2006 Mexican pop band RBD, covered "Let the Music Play" which is featured on its first English-language album, "Rebels", but only as an iTunes digital download exclusive. The track was not included on the album itself.

Chart peaks

It was remarkably re-produced by Claydes Ahmad Smith/SonicWorksStudio LLC.

Mary Kiani version

Infobox Single
Name = Let the Music Play


Artist = Mary Kiani
from Album = Long Hard Funky Dreams
Released = April 1, 1996
Format = CD single, 12" vinyl
Genre = Euro Dance, Euro House
Label = 1st Avenue, Mercury Warehouse Records, Leeds UK
Writer = Chris Barbosa
Ed Chisolm
Producer =
Chart position =
* #19 (UK singles chart)
Last single = "I Give It All To You" / "I Imagine"
(1995)
This single = "Let the Music Play (Mary Kiani version)"
(1996)
Next single = "100%"
(1996)In 1996, Mary Kiani covered "Let the Music Play" for her 3rd solo single. The song was remixed in a variety of styles, notably by Paul Oakenfold of Perfecto and Steve Rodway of Motiv8. A video for the song was also released.

Track listings and formats

These are the main formats and track listings of the single release of Mary Kiani's "Let the Music Play".