Arthur Baker Reflects on “Walking on Sunshine” & Its Timeless Legacy -

Arthur Baker Reflects on “Walking on Sunshine” and Its Lasting Influence on Dance Music

In an exclusive interview with Worldwide Entertainment TV, legendary producer Arthur Baker shares insight on the creation and legacy of “Walking on Sunshine” — a track that lit up dance floors worldwide and helped define the sound of 80s electronic music.

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When you think of the 1980s, you think of a sound — bright, innovative, and full of life. Few producers embodied that creative energy more than Arthur Baker, the pioneering producer behind era-defining records like “Planet Rock,” “Confusion,” and “Walking on Sunshine.”

In an exclusive conversation with Worldwide Entertainment TV, Baker revisited the origins and global impact of “Walking on Sunshine,” a track that remains one of dance music’s most enduring anthems.

“At that time, we just wanted to make people feel good. The energy, the groove — it was all about light, happiness, and motion,” Baker explained. “It’s funny, we didn’t know it’d last this long or become something that would still make people dance decades later.”

Originally released under Rockers Revenge featuring Donnie Calvin, “Walking on Sunshine” became a transatlantic hit in 1982, blending post-disco funk, electro beats, and a soulful message of joy and perseverance. The track’s distinctive rhythm and uplifting tone symbolized a new era of electronic dance music, bridging the gap between club culture, pop radio, and underground innovation.

The Art of Making Timeless Music

Baker credits the success of “Walking on Sunshine” to collaboration and experimentation — the same spirit that fueled his other groundbreaking projects.

“It wasn’t about formulas — it was about freedom,” he told WWETV. “We had the technology, but more importantly, we had curiosity. That’s what keeps music alive.”

That experimental mindset would soon give birth to the electro revolution through “Planet Rock,” cementing Baker’s place as a true architect of modern music.

From Rockers Revenge to Rockers Don’t Stop

In the interview, Baker also discussed how his new documentary, “Rockers Don’t Stop: The Revival of Rockers Revenge,” revisits that creative moment and celebrates the artists who shaped early electronic dance culture.

“It’s not just nostalgia — it’s about legacy,” he said. “What we did with Rockers Revenge helped shape what came next, from house to hip hop to EDM.”

The upcoming film connects the dots between “Walking on Sunshine,” “Planet Rock,” and today’s global club sound — proving that great music never fades, it just keeps evolving.

Full Circle: Beat Street, Nas, and the Future

Now collaborating with Nas on a Broadway adaptation of Beat Street, Baker’s career continues to merge generations of artists and sounds. His work stands as proof that the rhythm of innovation never stops — it simply finds new beats to move to.

“Music is universal,” Baker added. “You can have old school, new school — what matters is soul. That’s what keeps it timeless.”

Legacy of “Walking on Sunshine”

Over 40 years later, “Walking on Sunshine” still shines as a symbol of unity and pure musical joy. From underground New York clubs to global remixes and festival sets, the record continues to inspire new artists and producers.

Arthur Baker’s ability to fuse rhythm, emotion, and experimentation made “Walking on Sunshine” not just a hit — but a moment in music history that never stopped radiating light.