Night Of Fire

Night Of Fire is a song by Maurizio De Jorio under the alias Niko. It was originally produced in 1997 and released as a vinyl single the same year by Delta. Later, a remix by New Generation was released as the B-Side to "Heartbeat (B4 Za Beat "DJ Shu" Remix)" by Nathalie in 1998, and the original song was rereleased as the B-side on Niko's other song, "Made Of Fire" in 1999. "Night Of Fire" was written by Andrea Leonardi and produced under Leonardi's alias, Bratt Sinclaire. The song received great popularity in the late 90s and early 00s in Japan after its initial use in the Initial D anime, along with its multiple uses in the Japanese variety television show SMAP×SMAP. It is often regarded as the most popular Eurobeat song ever released.

Over the years, the song has been covered numerous times, either by Japanese artists or as self-covers/remakes by De Jorio himself under the Niko alias. However, the most notable covers include Bratt Sinclaire and Maurizio De Jorio's 1999 Christmas-themed cover and their 2004 cover, which had a more rock-oriented style. Additionally, the Japanese bands Dream covered the song in 2000 and the Hinoi Team covered it in 2005.

Background
The song was originally sung by Edoardo Arlenghi, who was signed to be the vocalist and stage performer for the Niko alias. However, Avex was dissatisfied with the song and rejected it, prompting the vocalist to be changed to Maurizio De Jorio, who then re-recorded it. De Jorio was subsequently used as the main vocalist for the Niko alias, with Arlenghi's likeness used as the frontman/model for the alias in vinyl covers, promotional images, and live performances.

Reception and Legacy
The song was released on Super Eurobeat Vol. 82 in Japan on October 22nd, 1997. Although it is unknown how the song first became popular, it was most likely due to its popularity in the ParaPara space. As a result, on Super Eurobeat Vol. 90 - Anniversary Non-Stop Mix Request Count Down 90!!, released on August 19th, 1998, the song was voted as the #1 ranked male vocalist-sung song. Additionally, on November 7th, 1998, the song was featured in Act 23 of Initial D First Stage, which further increased its popularity. The point at which the song received the most popularity was when it was used in the Japanese variety television show SMAP×SMAP in 1999. In the show, Takuya Kimura, playing his "Bucky Kimura" alter ego, began acting out a series of skits in which he and others around him begin dancing to a ParaPara routine completely out of the blue, with "Night Of Fire" acting as the theme song for the "Bucky" Kimura alter ego, along with the song "Mickey Mouse March" by Domino also being predominately featured. This resulted in the "Third Eurobeat/Para-Para Boom," which skyrocketed the popularity of the Eurobeat genre along with the ParaPara scene, with "Night Of Fire" perceived as the staple song of both.

Since then, "Night Of Fire" has been featured in many rhythm games throughout the years, including Para Para Paradise, Beatmania IIDX 6th Style, Dance Evolution ARCADE, DanceMasters/DanceEvolution, Dance Dance Revolution Disney Mix, and DanceDanceRevolution GB Disney Mix. It has also been used at many Club Disney Live events in Tokyo Disneyland. The song was also eventually featured in the Initial D anime games, starting with Initial D Arcade Stage 2 in 2002, then Initial D Special Stage in 2003, and finally, Initial D Arcade Stage 7 AAX in 2012. In addition, The song has been used as the background music to many commercials. There is also a song called "JR Fire," which shares the chorus of "Night Of Fire," and is used when the JR East Hardball Team participates in a game. The cheering squad uses "JR Fire" as a cheering song with a chance theme.

Live Performances
Edoardo Arlenghi performed "Night of Fire" live at the 14th Japan Gold Disc Award in March 2000, as it was the recipient song for Super Eurobeat Vol. 100 - Anniversary Special Request Count Down 100!!, which won Album of the Year. Additionally, Arlenghi performed the song at the Avex Summer Paradise 2000 event, Super Eurobeat presents Para-Para 2000 at Yoyogi National Stadium on August 31st, 2000. During the event, he also performed the other songs from the Niko alias, "Speedway" and "Made of Fire".

Lyrics
[Verse 1] Welcome to the broken law Welcome to the famous disco live Come on lady come and go Come on lady get me once and right

[Pre-Chorus] Not a danger, not a blacky stranger Rock it - rock it - knock to my door I'll open Speak me name now, speak it you know how Fly to me, get ready for the

[Chorus] Night of fire, you've better better stay You've better better begin the prayer to play Night of fire, come over over me Come over over the top you've never been here

Night of fire, you've better better stay You've better better begin the prayer to play Night of fire, come over over me Come over over the top you'll have a night of fire (You'll have a night of fire)

[Verse 2] Welcome to my rocky show Welcome to the fire of the night Come on babe let it go Come on babe let me stick you tight

Personnel

 * Maurizio De Jorio - Vocalist
 * Andrea Leonardi - Writer
 * Bratt Sinclaire - Producer
 * Recorded and mixed at Delta Studios

Night Of Fire (For Christmas Mix) (1999)
In 1999, a Christmas cover of the song was released, with changed lyrics and Maurizio De Jorio under the alias Niko retaining vocals.

Night Of Fire (Hyper Mix) (2000)
In 2000, a techno cover of the song was released under the title Night Of Fire (Hyper Mix), being released on Super Dance Freak Vol. 78 with a new set of vocals being recorded by Maurizio De Jorio.

Night Of Fire 2004 (2004)
In 2004, Maurizio De Jorio released a cover of the song under the alias Niko. A music video for the song was released on Super Eurobeat Vol. 150 - Anniversary Golden Hits Special Mega-Mix the same year.

Dream Cover (2000)
The Japanese pop girl group Dream covered the song on September 20th, 2000, releasing it as a single and including it on both their Super Eurobeat Presents Night Of Fire and Super Eurobeat Presents Euro "Dream" Land album on the same day.

Hinoi Team Cover (2005)
On December 14th, 2005, the Hinoi Team covered the song featuring Japanese wrestler and comedian Korikki Chōshū. The cover was released as a single, which was their third, and included a cover of "Play With The Numbers" by Domino and "Yeah!" by Christine.

Komb Cover (2022)
On July 15th, 2022, the hard dance producer and DJ, Komb, created a hardcore remix cover of the song. The cover was released as a single under the Avex EDM label.

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Night Of Fire"

Gallery
Night Of Fire 12" Vinyl Single

Trivia

 * Night Of Fire featured in Episode 23 of Initial D. It also featured in Initial D Arcade Stage 2, Initial D Special Stage and Initial D Arcade Stage 7 AAX.
 * Night Of Fire appeared in the rhythm games: ParaParaParadise, beatmania IIDX 6th style, DanceEvolution ARCADE, DanceMasters / DanceEvolution, Dance Dance Revolution Disney Mix and DanceDanceRevolution GB Disney Mix.
 * Cantare Ballare (Happy Eurobeat) by Bazooka Girl mentioned this track.
 * The 2004 version of Night Of Fire has a music video.
 * Fernando Bonini provided backing vocals for the 2004 version.