What was the first disco hit? The Trammps would define the genre with Disco Inferno. But before that came this old Broadway tune in 1972.

Listening now to their take on Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart – a song popularised by Judy Garland I think it’s the quintessence of disco. Especially the extended 12-minute version.

I love the discrepancy between the deep bass voice that ought, you feel, to emanate from a vast Barry White-like figure, but is in fact owned by the slender, clean-cut and youthful Earl Young (who was also the drummer).

The Trammps had formed in Philly in the early Seventies and featured the famous MFSB band behind their exuberant four-part harmonies.

This song dates back to the 1930s and was popularised by Judy Garland in her film Listen, Darling. It was also covered by Bing Crosby, Barry Manilow (in a rather creepy beyond-the-grave duet with Garland) and countless others, including Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark, Brenda Lee, a doo wop rendition by The Coasters and a jazz version by Chet Baker.

The Trammps version peaked at a poor No.29 in the UK charts, demonstrating nothing other than the fact that people were just not ready for disco yet in 1972.