"My Forbidden Lover" is the second single from

Chic Chic (; ), meaning "stylish" or "smart", is an element of fashion. It was originally a French word. Etymology '' Chic'' is a French word, established in English since at least the 1870s. Early references in English dictionaries classified ...

's 1979 album ''

Risqué Risqué may refer to: * Material deemed slightly indecent or liable to shock, especially sexual suggestiveness * ''Risqué'' (album), 1979 recording by American disco band Chic * Risque (comics), mutant character first appearing in Marvel Comic ...

''. From the

funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African-American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African-Americans in the ...

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

genre, and in the style of

disco Disco is a music genre, genre of dance music and a subculture that emerged in the late 1960s from the United States' urban nightclub, nightlife, particularly in African Americans, African-American, Italian-Americans, Italian-American, LGBTQ ...

, the song was written and produced by Chic's two frontmen,

Bernard Edwards Bernard Edwards (October 31, 1952 – April 18, 1996) was an American bassist and record producer, known primarily for his work in disco with musician Nile Rodgers, with whom he co-founded Chic. In 2017, Edwards was selected as the 53rd greates ...

and

Nile Rodgers Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr. (born September 19, 1952) is an American musician, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. The co-founder of Chic, he has written, produced, and performed on records that have sold more than 750 million albums and 1 ...

. The song's backing track has been sampled in the subsequent years, including in the 1999 Nerio's Dubwork song "Sunshine and Happiness", the 2001 Alcazar song " Sexual Guarantee", the 2006

Luther Vandross Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an American Soul music, soul and Contemporary R&B, R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. Over his career, he achieved eleven consecutive RIAA certification, RIAA-certified ...

song "Shine" (along with its cover by

Booty Luv Booty Luv are an English dance music group formed in June 2006 in London by their record label, Hed Kandi. The group comprises two R&B vocalists, Cherise Roberts and Nadia Shepherd, both of whom were in the original line-up of the hip hop a ...

), the

Darryl Pandy Darryl Pandy (December 24, 1962 – June 10, 2011Gregory Paratore: "Darryl Pandy RIP"
...

song "Sunshine & Happiness", and the 2010

Black Eyed Peas The Black Eyed Peas are an American musical group formed in Los Angeles in 1995, composed of rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo (rapper), Taboo. Fergie (singer), Fergie was a member during the height of their popularity in the 2000s, and ...

song " Fashion Beats". Canadian producer

deadmau5 Joel Thomas Zimmerman (born January 5, 1981), known professionally as deadmau5 (pronounced "dead-mouse"), is a Canadian electronic music producer and disc jockey, DJ. His musical style mostly includes progressive house and electro house music, ...

sampled this song in one of his early works, "I Don't Want No Other", released on his SectionZ page in 2001. ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

'' described "My Forbidden Lover" as following its #1 soul music hit "

Good Times ''Good Times'' is an American television sitcom that aired for six seasons on CBS, from February 8, 1974, to August 1, 1979. Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans (actor), Mike Evans and developed by executive producer Norman Lear, it was televis ...

" with "another impeccably produced rhythm number." ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', is an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' said it was similar to "Good Times," "striking the same groove without being totally repetitive." ''

Record World ''Record World'' magazine was one of three major weekly music industry trade magazines in the United States, with ''Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 as ''Music Vendor''. In 1964, it was changed to ''Record World'' under the ...

'' called it a "gem" and "a typically marvelous Chic dance song with trademark falsetto lead & harmony vocals."

Charts

"My Forbidden Lover" reached #15 on the UK singles chart in October 1979, spending 8 weeks on the chart. On US disco chart, along with the tracks, "

" and "

My Feet Keep Dancing "My Feet Keep Dancing" is the third single from Chic's third studio album ''Risqué''. It features a co-lead vocal by Luci Martin and Bernard Edwards and a tap dance solo by Fayard Nicholas (of the Nicholas Brothers), Eugene Jackson (of Our Gang) ...

", "My Forbidden Lover" went to #3. It didn't reach the US ''Billboard'' top 40 pop chart (#43).

Track listings

;Atlantic 7" 3620 September 18, 1979 * A. "My Forbidden Lover" (7" Edit) - 3:30 * B. "What About Me?" - 4:10 ;Atlantic promo 12" DSKO 207, 1979 * A. "My Forbidden Lover" (Extended 12" Mix) - 6:29 * B. "What About Me?" - 4:10

References

1979 songs 1979 singles Chic (band) songs Song recordings produced by Nile Rodgers Songs written by Nile Rodgers Songs written by Bernard Edwards Song recordings produced by Bernard Edwards {{1970s-single-stub Atlantic Records singles