The music journalist Ron Wynn has noted that "the Trammps' prowess can't be measured by chart popularity; Ellis' booming, joyous vocals brilliantly championed the celebratory fervor and atmosphere that made disco both loved and hated among music fans." The first disco-related track they released was "Love Epidemic" back in 1973. That made them trailblazers of its pop and soul fueled sound.
The history of the Trammps grew from a 60s-era group, called "The Volcanos", which later became "The Moods". With a number of line-up changes by the early 1970s, the band membership included gospel-influenced lead singer, Jimmy Ellis, drummer and bass singer, Earl Young, with brothers, Stanley and Harold 'Doc' Wade. Members of the Philadelphia recording band, MFSB played with the group on records and on tour in the 70s with singer, Robert Upchurch joining later. The group was produced by the Philadelphia team of Ronnie Baker, Norman Harris and Young, all MFSB mainstays who played on the recording sessions and contributed songs.
Their debut chart entry came via an upbeat cover version of the standard, "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart", which became a Top 20 US R&B chart hit in 1972.
Their first few recordings were released on Buddah Records, including "Hold Back The Night" which was a hit in the UK and on the Billboard R&B chart in 1973, before a re-release saw it climb the U.S. Hot 100 two years later. Several R&B hits followed during a stay with Philadelphia International subsidiary, Golden Fleece (run by Baker-Harris-Young) before they signed to Atlantic Records.
Their single "Disco Inferno" (1976), which was included on the Grammy Award winning Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in 1977,[3] reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1978.[4]
Other major hits included "Hold Back the Night" (1975) (UK #5) and "That's Where the Happy People Go" (1976). In late 1977, the Trammps released the song "The Night the Lights Went Out" to commemorate the electrical blackout that affected New York City on July 13, 1977.
Their signature song, "Disco Inferno", has been covered by Tina Turner and Cyndi Lauper. In addition, Graham Parker covered "Hold Back The Night" on the "The Pink Parker EP" in 1977, and reached #20 in the UK Singles Chart, and Top 60 in the US.
On September 19, 2005, the group's "Disco Inferno" was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in New York. The song was part-written by Ron Kersey, a producer-arranger and a member of MFSB, who also played with Trammps in the 1970s for a time. During the ceremony, the original band members performed together for the first time in 25 years.
Two versions of the group, with differing line-ups, currently tour the nostalgia circuit. On March 8, 2012, lead singer Jimmy Ellis died at a nursing home in Rock Hill, South Carolina, at the age of 74. The cause of death was not immediately known but he suffered from Alzheimers' disease.
Earl Young's Trammps still continue to record and as at August 2014 have recently released "Get your lovin while you can" written by the Steals brothers renowned for their Philly hits such as 'Could it be I'm falling in love' for The Detroit Spinners.
Website: http://thetrammps.net/
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
The Trammps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heaven adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risin' with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
The Trammps's rendition of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is a beautiful and soulful interpretation of the classic Christmas carol. The song starts with a proclamation of “Glory to the newborn King” and a call for peace on earth and mercy for all. The angels are calling on all nations to join them in triumph to celebrate the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.
The second verse turns to the exultation of Christ himself. He is adored by the highest heaven and is the everlasting Lord. His birth was foretold and now he has come as the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary. The beauty of this verse is in the declaration that Christ has come to Earth to dwell among us, to live with and as one of us, our Emmanuel.
The final verse covers the important faith tenet of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the gift of eternal life which comes through his resurrection. Christ is the Prince of Peace, the Son of Righteousness, and brings light and life to everyone. His healing power is said to be in his wings and his birth took place so that we may not die, but live eternally.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark the herald angels sing
Listen to the angels as they sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
"Celebrate the arrival of the new King with resounding glory!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
May peace and mercy gently flow throughout the earth
God and sinners reconciled"
Through the birth of the new King, God will be reconciled with sinners
Joyful, all ye nations rise
All nations must rise in joy
Join the triumph of the skies
Celebrate the wins of the skies with the angels
With the angelic host proclaim:
The angels declare:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
"The King, Christ, is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen once again to the angels as they sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
"Celebrate the arrival of the new King with resounding glory!"
Christ by highest heaven adored
Christ is adored by the highest heaven
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Christ is the Lord who lasts forever!
Late in time behold Him come
Witness His arrival at a later time
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Born of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Behold, the Godhead is now shrouded in flesh
Hail the incarnate Deity
Rejoice, the Deity, now in human form!
Pleased as man with man to dwell
He is willing to live as a man who dwells with other men.
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Jesus, who is also known as Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen once again to the angels as they sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
"Celebrate the arrival of the new King with resounding glory!"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Prince of Peace who was born in heaven!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
He brings light and life to everyone
Risin' with healing in His wings
He rises, healing everyone with His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
He humbly puts aside His glory
Born that man no more may die
He was born so that man may never die again
Born to raise the sons of earth
He was born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
He was born to give them a second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen once again to the angels as they sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
"Celebrate the arrival of the new King with resounding glory!"
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERNEST J. FORD, HARRY GELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind