The original version of the record was produced by Chris Barbosa, a Latino from New York who composed it with Ed Chisolm. He redefined the Electro Funk sound by adding Latin American rhythms and a heavy syncopated drum sound isolating it from sounding like Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock" and Freeez's "IOU." This made "Let the Music Play" the first freestyle record in dance music history.

The song played a surprisingly historic role in Western pop music. By the early 1980s, the backlash against disco had driven dance music off mainstream radio stations in the U.S. The rhythmic ingenuity of "Let the Music Play" allowed it to circumvent the prevalent anti-disco bias and become a huge hit, hitting #8 on the U.S. Singles Chart and #1 on the U.S. Dance chart ushering in the dance pop era. "Let the Music Play" is considered to be the song that opened the door for such other acts as Madonna, Jody Watley, George Michael and many others.

The song has been remixed numerous times, and several artists have covered the record. In 1996 Scottish singer Mary Kiani (see below) covered the song and hit the #19 spot on the UK singles chart, her second solo single.

In 2006 Mexican pop band RBD, covered "Let the Music Play" which is featured on their first English album, Rebels, but only as an iTunes digital download exclusive. The track was not included on the album itself.

[edit] Chart peaks

It was remarkably re-produced by Claydes Ahmad Smith/SonicWorksStudio LLC.

Chart (1983)	Peak position
U.S. Charts	8
UK Charts	14
R&B Charts	2
Dance Charts	1

[edit] Mary Kiani version

“Let the Music Play”

Single by Mary Kiani
from the album Long Hard Funky Dreams

Released

April 1, 1996

Format

CD single, 12" vinyl

Genre

Euro Dance, Euro House

Label

1st Avenue, Mercury Warehouse Records, Leeds UK

Writer(s)

Chris Barbosa
Ed Chisolm

Mary Kiani singles chronology

"I Give It All To You" / "I Imagine"
(1995)

"Let the Music Play (Mary Kiani version)"
(1996)

"100%"
(1996)

In 1996, Mary Kiani covered "Let the Music Play" for her 3rd solo single. The song was remixed in a variety of styles, notably by Paul Oakenfold of Perfecto and Steve Rodway of Motiv8. A video for the song was also released.

[edit] Track listings and formats

These are the main formats and track listings of the single release of Mary Kiani's "Let the Music Play".

#	Title	Length
UK CD single MERCD456
1.	"Let the Music Play" [Radio Mix]	3:50
2.	"Let the Music Play" [Perfecto Radio Mix]	5:40
3.	"Let the Music Play" [Motiv8 Club Mix]	6:33
4.	"Let the Music Play" [Mr. Spring Contrary Mary Mix]	5:34
5.	"Let the Music Play" [Perfecto Vocal Mix]	8:01
6.	"Let the Music Play" [Argonauts Kiani Do This Mix]	5:42
7.	"Let the Music Play" [Mr. Spring Club Edit]	4:29
UK 12" MERX456
A1.	"Let the Music Play" [Motiv8 Club Mix]	6:33
A2.	"Let the Music Play" [Union Jack Mix]	6:27
B1.	"Let the Music Play" [Perfecto Vocal Mix]	8:01
B2.	"Let the Music Play" [Perfecto Dub Mix]	5:00
UK 12" MERX457 / Fubar12
A1.	"Let the Music Play" [Casio Brothers Mix]
A2.	"Let the Music Play" [George Bowie Mix]
B1.	"Let the Music Play" [Steve Kerr Mix]
B2.	"Let the Music Play" [Tom Wilson & David Livingston Mix]