It was also notably covered by Cyndi Lauper on the A Night at the Roxbury soundtrack and Tina Turner on the What's Love Got To Do With It? soundtrack.
The song was originally performed by the Trammps in 1976 and released as a single. Although it topped the U.S. Disco chart, it was not a significant success at pop radio, peaking at number fifty-three on the Billboard Hot 100. According to famed mixer Tom Moulton (who mixed the record), the levels had been set incorrectly during the mixdown of the tracks, resulting in a much wider dynamic than was commonly accepted at the time. Due to this, the record seems to "jump out" at the listener.
"Disco Inferno" gained much greater recognition once it was included on the soundtrack to the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever. Re-released by Atlantic Records, the track peaked at number eleven in the U.S. during the spring of 1978, becoming the Trammps' biggest and most-recognized single. Later, it was included in the Saturday Night Fever musical, interpreted by the 'DJ Monty' in the "Odissey 2001" discothèque.
The song also became an unofficial theme song for former New York Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams. It was often played at old Yankee Stadium while the scoreboard and video systems displayed the phrase "Bern Baby Bern," a play on the song's refrain and Williams' first name.
In 1996, "Disco Inferno" was included on the soundtrack to the cult comedy classic "Kingpin," and featured in two pivotal scenes in which Roy Munson (played by Woody Harrelson) confidently strolls into a bowling alley. The scenes and the song embody the promise of the mid to late seventies.
On September 19, 2005, "Disco Inferno" was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame.
The song was used during the trailer to the Adam Sandler comedy, Bedtime Stories.
Disco Inferno
Trammps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Burn baby burn)
(Burn baby burn)
(Burn baby burn)
To my surprise, one hundred stories high
People getting loose y'all, getting down on the roof
Folks are screaming, out of control
I heard somebody say
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
Satisfaction came in a chain reaction (Burnin')
I couldn't get enough, so I had to self-destruct
The heat was on, rising to the top
Everybody going strong, and that is when my spark got hot
I heard somebody say
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down y'all
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
Up above my head
I hear music in the air
That makes me know
There's a party somewhere
Satisfaction came in a chain reaction (Burnin')
I couldn't get enough, so I had to self-destruct
The heat was on, rising to the top
Everybody going strong, and that is when my spark got hot
I heard somebody say
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
(Burn baby burn)
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
The song "Disco Inferno" by the Trammps is an iconic disco track that became popular in the late 1970s. The song starts with the repetitive chorus "Burn baby burn" which sets the tone for the disco inferno that is about to take place. The lyrics of the song tell the story of a party happening on a rooftop, with people dancing and getting loose. The heat of the party rises, and soon everyone is dancing to the boogie that has started to explode.
The lyrics of the song capture the energy and frenzy of the disco scene of the late 1970s. The song is full of fire metaphors, with the repeated phrase "Burn baby burn" symbolizing the passion and energy of the dancers. The lyrics also highlight the self-destructive nature of disco, with the line "I couldn't get enough, so I had to self-destruct." The chorus "Burn that mother down" adds to the rebellious and destructive image of disco.
Overall, the lyrics of "Disco Inferno" capture the feverish pace and wild energy of the disco era, with its fiery passion, rebelliousness, and self-destructive tendencies.
Line by Line Meaning
(Burn baby burn)
The participants of the disco party are encouraged to burn away everything and let it all loose.
(Burn baby burn)
Reinforcing the idea that everything must be burnt during the disco party.
(Burn baby burn)
Again, the participants are reminded to burn everything down and let it all loose.
(Burn baby burn)
Reiterating the idea that everything in sight must be burnt away during the party.
To my surprise, one hundred stories high
The disco party is held on the rooftop of a very tall building, which is surprising to the singer.
People getting loose y'all, getting down on the roof
The people attending the disco party are letting themselves loose and having fun on the rooftop of the tall building.
Folks are screaming, out of control
The participants of the party are screaming and have lost control of themselves in the heat of the moment.
It was so entertaining when the boogie started to explode
The party became more entertaining when the dancing picked up and reached a fever pitch.
I heard somebody say
The singer overhears someone uttering the phrase that emphasizes the need to burn everything.
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
The participants are being reminded to burn everything during the disco party.
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
Reiterating the need to set everything on fire during the disco party.
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
The burning of everything at the disco party is being emphasized.
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
Again, the act of burning everything at the party is being emphasized.
Satisfaction came in a chain reaction (Burnin')
The satisfaction being derived from the disco party is causing a chain reaction of burning and destruction.
I couldn't get enough, so I had to self-destruct
The singer is enjoying the party too much and is willing to destroy everything in sight to keep the party going.
The heat was on, rising to the top
The excitement and energy of the party was continuing to rise to a peak.
Everybody going strong, and that is when my spark got hot
Everyone at the party is full of energy and excitement, which makes the singer want to ignite things even more.
Up above my head
The music of the disco party is playing overhead.
I hear music in the air
The singer can hear the music from the disco party in the air.
That makes me know
Hearing the music from the party confirms the presence of a fun-filled party.
There's a party somewhere
The music from the disco party suggests that there's fun being had somewhere.
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
The reminder to burn everything at the party is being repeated.
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down y'all
The emphasis on burning everything at the party is being reiterated with added fervor.
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
The need to burn everything at the disco party is being emphasized even more.
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
The repeated exhortation to set everything on fire is ringing throughout the party.
(Burn baby burn)
The participants of the disco party continue to be encouraged to burn everything down.
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
Reiterating the need to set everything on fire during the disco party.
(Burn baby burn) disco inferno
The emphasis on burning everything at the party is being repeated.
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
The repeated exhortation to set everything on fire is ringing throughout the party.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Reservoir One Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: LEROY GREEN, TYRONE KERSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind