I believe Don (Felder) says in his book that the song was their way of mocking the disco music/scene. Personally I think the song is a mess and the vocal melody is the worst Don Henley has ever sung. It can't even be called a melody. The "Look at me, just look at me, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm somebody" part is the worst. It's terrible rhythmically and just drags. The irony is that there were a lot fo great disco songs, but their "disco" song was beyond horrible. A parody should be at least listenable.