Check List On Tip Toe by The Generations: A Disco Gem That’s Still Got Legs (and Synths)
Alright, let’s talk about Check List On Tip Toe by The Generations. Released in 1977 under the Vogue label, this album is like that one friend who shows up to a party wearing bell-bottoms and somehow still looks cooler than everyone else. It’s electronic disco gold with just enough cheese to make you smile but not so much that you’ll need a napkin.
First off, can we take a moment for the track “On Tip Toe”? This song feels like it was written specifically for when you’re trying to sneak out of your house at night without waking anyone up… except instead of sneaking, you’re actually dancing. The beat is smooth—like butter-on-a-hot-pan smooth—and the synths have this playful bounce that makes you wanna move. I mean, seriously, if this track doesn’t get your shoulders shimmying, check your pulse because something might be wrong.
Then there’s “Check List.” Oh man, this one hits different. It’s got this groovy rhythm that sounds like someone spilled glitter all over a drum machine and then decided to roll with it. C. Carl Wing clearly knew what he was doing when he penned this tune—it’s catchy as heck, and those layered vocals? Chef’s kiss. You’ll find yourself humming it hours later, even though you’re not entirely sure why. Maybe it’s the repetition, or maybe it’s just really damn good. Either way, props to whoever thought naming a song after an organizational tool was a brilliant idea—it totally works.
The album cover deserves a shout-out too. Big ups to Stockcolor for nailing the vibe with some retro photography magic. It’s got that ‘70s aesthetic down pat, looking all artsy-fartsy while still screaming, “Hey, we’re here to boogie!”
Now, here’s the kicker: this album came out in Portugal, France, and Canada. So basically, it traveled more than most people did back then. And honestly? It holds up. Listening to these tracks today feels like stepping into a time machine where polyester reigns supreme, and everyone’s got a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other (don’t @ me, it was the ‘70s).
So yeah, Check List On Tip Toe isn’t perfect—but it doesn’t need to be. It’s fun, funky, and unapologetically itself. If disco had a yearbook, this album would’ve been voted “Most Likely to Make You Dance Like Nobody’s Watching.”
And hey, fun fact: no one remembers what happened to The Generations after this album. Did they disband? Start a cult? Open a disco-themed diner? Who knows. But their legacy lives on in two killer tracks that remind us life’s better when you’re dancing on tiptoes.
