Get Down Saturday Night

Oliver Cheatham was an American R&B singer best known for his timeless 1983 club anthem “Get Down Saturday Night,” which became a staple of funk, boogie, and later house and EDM scenes.substack+1​

Early life and roots

Oliver Cheatham was born on February 24, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, a city whose deep soul and Motown traditions shaped his sound. Encouraged by his gospel-trained mother, he started singing young and joined local groups such as the Young Sirs, Mad Dog and the Pups, and Gaslight, honing his smooth, laid-back vocal style on Detroit’s club circuit.soulwalking+2​

Finding his voice in groups

Before his solo breakthrough, Cheatham fronted several Detroit-based bands, cutting records that blended sweet soul with funk grooves. He later joined the group Sins of Satan, which evolved into Roundtrip and eventually recorded two albums under the name Oliver, giving him a bigger platform as a lead vocalist and songwriter.wikipedia+2​

Solo success and “Get Down Saturday Night”

Cheatham signed to MCA Records as a solo artist in the early 1980s and worked closely with members of the band One Way and producer Al Perkins. In 1983 he released the album “Saturday Night,” featuring “Get Down Saturday Night,” a slinky, feel-good dance track that reached the R&B and UK charts and became a massive favorite in clubs around the world.reddit+3​

Legacy, samples, and later years

“Get Down Saturday Night” found a new generation of fans when it was featured on the “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” soundtrack and sampled in major dance hits. Italian producer Room 5 turned it into the 2003 UK number one single “Make Luv,” and British DJ Michael Gray drew on its spirit for his 2004 hit “The Weekend,” cementing Cheatham’s influence on modern dance music.substack+2​

Final chapter and lasting impact

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Cheatham continued to release records, collaborate with other artists, and work as a backing singer, particularly in the UK where his sound remained in demand. He passed away on November 29, 2013, at the age of 65, but his warm vocals and the joyous groove of “Get Down Saturday Night” still light up dance floors and playlists, keeping his legacy alive for new listeners.