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The first famous house music track widely credited with launching the genre into the mainstream is “On and On” by Jesse Saunders, released in 1984. Often referred to as the first house record ever pressed to vinyl, this track was created in Chicago and is seen as a foundational moment in the history of house music.
While underground DJs had been experimenting with repetitive beats, disco edits, and drum machines in clubs like The Warehouse (from which the genre gets its name), “On and On” was the first to be commercially distributed, marking house music’s entry into the recorded music industry.
Why “On and On” Stands Out
- Pioneering sound: It blended electronic beats with disco influences, using drum machines and synths that became hallmarks of house music.
- Chicago roots: Emerging from the vibrant Black and LGBTQ+ club scenes of Chicago, it captured the energy and experimentation of early ‘80s dance culture.
- Cultural impact: It influenced countless DJs and producers and helped shape what would become a global movement.
Other early influential tracks include:
- “Can You Feel It” – Mr. Fingers (1986)
- “Your Love” – Frankie Knuckles & Jamie Principle
- “Move Your Body” – Marshall Jefferson (1986, known as the “House Music Anthem”)
House Music Today
From its underground roots, house music has evolved into a worldwide genre with countless subgenres like deep house, afro house, tech house, and progressive house.
One of today’s artists carrying the house music torch is Play House, a Paris-based DJ and producer whose sound draws on deep, afro, and organic house influences. With a growing international following and millions of streams, Play House continues the legacy started by early pioneers, blending soulful grooves with modern electronic textures.
🎧 Explore Play House’s music:
Final Thoughts
“On and On” by Jesse Saunders is widely considered the first famous house music track, helping define a genre that now spans decades and continents. From its origins in Chicago to today’s international electronic scene, artists like Play House are helping carry the spirit of house music into the future.
