On the Radio (Donna Summer song)

"On the Radio"
Single by Donna Summer
from the album On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes 1 & 2
B-side	"There Will Always Be a You"
Released	November 23, 1979
Format	7" single, 12" single
Recorded	1979
Genre	Disco, pop, pop rock
Length	4:03
Label	Casablanca
Writer(s)	Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder
Producer	Giorgio Moroder
Certification	Gold (RIAA)
Donna Summer singles chronology
"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" (1979) "On the Radio" (1979) "Sunset People" (1980)
Alternative cover French 7" single cover

"On the Radio" is a single by Donna Summer released in 1979 on the Casablanca record label. It was written for the soundtrack to the film Foxes and included on Summer's first international compilation album On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes 1 & 2. It was released as a single and became, in January 1980, her tenth top ten hit in the U.S. and it was also became her 8th and final consecutive top 5 single. "On the Radio" peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the soul chart . The song was also Summer's fourteenth entry on the Billboard Disco chart, where it peaked at number eight .

The song was released in three formats: the radio 45rpm single; the 5+ minute version included on Summer's Greatest Hits double album package, and a DJ Promo 7+ minute version released on 12" single (and included on the Foxes film soundtrack album). This last version was later released on the Bad Girls CD digipack double CD release. The Foxes soundtrack also includes an instrumental version of the song in a ballad tempo and crediting Moroder as a solo artist. Donna Summer performed "On the Radio" on many television shows such as American Bandstand.

What is interesting about these three versions is that while the first two included all written lyrics, the DJ Promo omitted the final verse, opting instead to repeat the third. Only the first "short" version ended with the famous "on the radio - adio - adio" echo vocal effect.

Official versions

• "On the Radio" - (Single version) - 4:00
• "On the Radio" - ("On the Radio: Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2" version) - 5:50
• "On the Radio" - ("Foxes" soundtrack and 12" single version) - 7:34
• "On the Radio" - (Piano instrumental version from "Foxes" soundtrack) - 4:27

Personnel

• All vocals and lyrics by Donna Summer
• Music written by Giorgio Moroder
• Produced by Giorgio Moroder

Chart positions

Chart (1979/80)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	5
U.S. Billboard Dance Music/Club Play Singles	8
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles	9
Dutch GfK chart	27
Dutch Top 40	20

Cover versions

• In 1983, a ballad version by country singer Emmylou Harris was included on her album White Shoes.
• The song was later covered by Selena.
• In 1999, Swedish singer-songwriter Bosson included a cover of the song on his album The Right Time.
• English actress-singer Martine McCutcheon released a cover version in 2001, reaching as high as number seven on the UK Singles Chart.
• In 2006, the song was recorded by Filipino singer Regine Velasquez on her Covers Vol. 2 album.
• In 2008, it was recorded by Filipino singer Jaya on her Cool Change album.
• In 2010, alternative rock band Hypnogaja released an acoustic version. The recording won the 2010 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Male Vocal (by Hypnogaja's ShyBoy).
• In 2010, Jennifer Lopez recorded a version of the song with French DJ/producer David Guetta for her 2010 album Love?. Lopez had previously performed the song in character as slain Tejano singer Selena in the Gregory Nava biopic of the same name.
• German Singer Michelle covered the Song under the Name "Tanja Tomas" in 2006 on her Album "My Passion"

Live cover performances

• Alexandra Burke performed this song on the UK talent show The X Factor season five.\
• Katelyn Tarver performed this song on the reality series, American Juniors.
• In 2005, American Idol season 4 finalist Vonzell Solomon performed the song on the Final 3 producer's choice night. Despite the praise she received, she was eliminated the following night.
• In 2006, On The Radio was performed on Australian Idol season 4 by eventual runner-up Jessica Mauboy on the Final 8 Disco theme night. The performance was well received by the judges and audience and she was declared safe on the following verdict show.