Evelyn “Champagne” King’s 1977 disco single “Shame” became her first major hit.
The song was written by John H. Fitch Jr. and Reuben Cross, and it was produced by T. Life. King was still a teenager when she recorded it, and the track’s combination of a powerful lead vocal, orchestral arrangement and steady disco rhythm made it a standout release of the late 1970s.
“Shame” reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart. It also became a lasting dance-floor favorite and the signature recording of King’s career.
The title can be confused with songs using the same one-word name, including “Shame” by other performers. In disco history, the specific recording associated with Evelyn “Champagne” King is the 1977 RCA single. The track was later sampled and covered, further extending its influence beyond the original disco period.