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/
The First Noel
The Trammps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
The Trammps's version of the classic Christmas carol, The First Noel, tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ through the eyes of shepherds, Wise men and the star that led them to the baby's manger in Bethlehem. The song begins with the announcement from the angels to the shepherds, telling of the birth of the King of Israel. The shepherds then see the star that shines brightly in the East and follow it to find the baby Jesus. The Wise Men also follow the same star, bringing precious gifts to present to the newborn child.
The lyrics are celebratory in nature, with the repeated chorus of "Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!" emphasizing the joy and wonder of the occasion. The final verse encourages listeners to join in the praise of the Lord, who created Heaven and Earth and saved mankind through his sacrifice on the cross.
Overall, The Trammps's version of The First Noel is a beautiful and uplifting interpretation of the beloved Christmas carol, expressing the hope and joy of the holiday season with a catchy, upbeat melody and soulful vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
The First Noel, the Angels did say
The angels proclaimed the arrival of the first Christmas
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
The shepherds, who were not rich, were told about the news by the angels while they were in fields with their sheep
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds were resting in the fields with their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
It was a very cold and dark night during winter
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Noel means Christmas, so this line is repeating the message of Christmas
Born is the King of Israel!
The song is celebrating the birth of Jesus, who is considered the King of Israel
They looked up and saw a star
The shepherds saw a bright star in the sky
Shining in the East beyond them far
The star was shining in the Eastern sky, far away from them
And to the earth it gave great light
The star was shining so brightly that it lit up the whole earth
And so it continued both day and night.
The star was shining constantly both during the day and night
And by the light of that same star
The three Wise men were also guided by the same star
Three Wise men came from country far
The Wise Men came from a foreign land
To seek for a King was their intent
Their aim was to find and worship the newborn King
And to follow the star wherever it went.
They followed the star to find the place where the King was born
This star drew nigh to the northwest
The star led the Wise Men towards the northwest direction to Bethlehem
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
The star stopped over Bethlehem
And there it did both Pause and stay
The star paused and remained stationary over the place where Jesus was born
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
The star was directly above the place where Jesus was born
Then entered in those Wise men three
The Wise Men entered the place where Jesus was born
Full reverently upon their knee
They humbly kneeled down to worship the newborn King
And offered there in His presence
They made offerings to Jesus in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
They presented gold, myrrh, and frankincense to Jesus as gifts
Then let us all with one accord
The song is encouraging everyone to sing praises together
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
We should sing praises to the Lord who is in heaven
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
God created Heaven and earth out of nothing
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Jesus Christ shed His blood to redeem mankind
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
The song is repeating the message of Christmas again - which is the birth of Jesus Christ
Born is the King of Israel!
The song is celebrating Jesus' birth and proclaiming that He is the King of Israel
Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind