RICK DEES AND HIS CAST OF IDIOTS - DISCO DUCK

Released: September 4, 1976

US: #1 (1 week)

“Disco Duck” is a satirical disco song by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots. Released in 1976 while Dees was a Memphis DJ, it became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in October and reached #15 on the Hot Soul Singles chart. Originally released on Fretone Records, it gained national and international success through RSO Records. The song was featured in “Saturday Night Fever” but was notably absent from its blockbuster soundtrack.

The song tells the story of a man who, at a dance party, is suddenly overcome by the urge to dance like a duck—flapping his arms and moving awkwardly. At first, he sits back down when the music stops, but when he starts dancing again, he realizes that everyone else has joined in, mimicking his moves. The track blends orchestral disco elements with humor.

The duck voice in Disco Duck closely resembles Donald Duck, leading to speculation that Clarence Nash (Donald Duck’s official voice actor) was involved, but Disney denied this and later released Mickey Mouse Disco in 1979, featuring their own disco-themed Donald Duck song.

According to Rick Dees, the duck voice was actually performed by Kenneth Pruitt, a man he met at the gym who could mimic the sound. After the song became a hit, Pruitt sued Dees, claiming he was only paid $188 despite also promoting the song in a duck suit on TV and even in Times Square. The case was likely settled privately, as Pruitt has remained silent since.