: The song was written by Leroy Green and Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey. Its famous hook, "Burn, baby, burn," was inspired by a scene in the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno , which featured a disco on fire at the top of a building.
Originally released in late 1976, this track is widely considered a defining anthem of the disco era.
: While it was a #1 dance club hit in early 1977, it gained massive mainstream recognition after being featured on the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack .
: Following the film's success, a re-release in 1978 peaked at #11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.