A Fifth of Beethoven

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"A Fifth of Beethoven" is a disco instrumental recorded by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band. It was adapted by Murphy from the first movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The record was produced by noted production music and sound effects recording producer Thomas J. Valentino.[1] It was one of the most popular and memorable pieces of music from the disco era. The "Fifth" in the song's title is a pun, referencing a liquid measure approximately equal to one-fifth of a gallon (757 ml), a popular size for bottles containing hard liquor.

"Fifth" was released in 1976. It was featured on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack (1977) and was a huge hit, becoming Murphy's best known work and his only Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached the #1 position for one week.

[edit] Use by other artists

The song was sampled by the rapper A+ for his 1999 hit "Enjoy Yourself." It reached #5 in the Official UK Singles Chart and #63 on the Hot 100. It was also sampled by Robin Thicke for his song "When I Get You Alone", which became moderately popular in 2002. It was also covered by the Chicago-based rock band Umphrey's McGee.[2]

[edit] Appearances in popular culture

The song has made many appearances in film and television. Notable film appearances include a fight scene from Mystery Men (involving The Shoveler versus the Disco Boys), Austin Powers in Goldmember (during the Studio 69 Disco scene), the 2004 version of The Stepford Wives. (during the "Claire-obics" scene when the housewives do a washing machine workout), Ice Castles and Semi-Pro. On television, the song featured in The Simpsons ("Lisa's Wedding"), and Family Guy ("Hell Comes to Quahog"). The use of the song in Family Guy came as a direct reference to its composer Murphy, who also composed the Family Guy theme.

Preceded by "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry

Billboard Hot 100 number one single October 9, 1976

Succeeded by "Disco Duck (Pt. 1)" by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots