The song "Witch Doctor" was released in 1958 by American singer Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., under the stage name David Seville. The song became a major hit, reaching the top of the charts in the United States and other countries. It is a novelty song that features a unique blend of pop, doo-wop, and exotica elements. "Witch Doctor" is known for its catchy chorus, in which the singer uses a higher-pitched voice to imitate the sound of a witch doctor. The lyrics of the song tell a whimsical story about a man who seeks the help of a witch doctor to cure his lovesickness.
The lyrics of the song tell a whimsical story about a man who seeks the help of a witch doctor to cure his lovesickness. The witch doctor prescribes various remedies, including "Oo-ee-oo-ah-ah, ting tang, walla-walla bing bang," which has become the iconic and often parodied catchphrase of the song. The song's success can be attributed to its infectious melody, playful lyrics, and unique vocal performance.
Witch Doctor Lyrics
Sous les ponts de Paris, lorsque descend la nuit
Tout′s sort's de gueux se faufil′nt en cachette
Et sont heureux de trouver une couchette
Hotel du courant d'air, où l'on ne paie pas cher
L′parfum et l′eau c'est pour rien mon marquis
Sous les ponts de Paris
Sous les ponts de Paris
Quel rendez-vous!
My darling, why I sing this song
Is easy to explain
It tells what happens all along
The bridges of the Seine
The vagabonds go there at night
To sleep all their troubles away
But when the moon is shining bright
My heart wants to sing it this way
How would you like to be
Down by the Seine with me
Oh, what I′d give for a moment or two
Under the bridges of Paris with you
Darling, I'd hold you tight
Far from the eyes of night
Under the bridges of Paris with you
I′d make your dreams come true
Oh chérie, je veux apporter mes bras
Je veux apporter mon coeur
Je veux apporter all my love
Sous les ponts de Paris
Lorsque descends la nuit
Under the bridges of Paris with you
I'd make your dreams come true
I′d make your dreams come true
Writer(s): D. COCHRAN, V. SCOTTO
Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
It captured the imagination of listeners with its catchy and unconventional sound. "Witch Doctor" introduced a distinctive vocal technique that would later be used in a number of other novelty songs. The popularity of "Witch Doctor" led to the creation of a fictional band called Alvin and the Chipmunks, featuring three chipmunk characters voiced by Bagdasarian. The Chipmunks, with their helium-toned voices, would go on to release numerous albums and gain their own fan base. Since its release, "Witch Doctor" has been covered by several artists and has been featured in various films and television shows. It continues to be recognized as a classic novelty song from the 1950s and remains a favorite among audiences of all ages..
Reviews for "From One-hit Wonder to Timeless Classic: The Witch Doctor Song's Journey"
1. Jennifer - 1/5 stars - I found "Witch Doctor Song 1958" to be extremely annoying and repetitive. The lyrics were nonsensical and did not make any sense to me. The constant repetition of "Oo ee oo ah ah, ting tang walla walla bing bang" became grating after a while. I couldn't understand why this song became so popular in the first place. Overall, I found it to be a waste of three minutes of my life.
2. Michael - 2/5 stars - I didn't particularly like "Witch Doctor Song 1958". The over-the-top vocals and silly lyrics just didn't resonate with me. While I understand that it was meant to be a fun and lighthearted song, I found it to be too childish for my taste. The repetitive chorus got old fast, and I couldn't find any substance in the song. It may have been a hit back in the day, but it just doesn't hold up for me now.
3. Samantha - 1/5 stars - "Witch Doctor Song 1958" is one of those songs that you either love or hate, and unfortunately, I fall into the latter category. The high-pitched, almost screechy vocals were extremely grating to my ears, and the lyrics were absurd. It felt like a song meant for young children, but even they might find it too irritating. I can't understand how this song gained popularity, and I definitely won't be listening to it again.
4. Daniel - 2/5 stars - I can appreciate the novelty and quirkiness of "Witch Doctor Song 1958", but it's not a song that I would actively choose to listen to. The repetitive chant-like chorus became tiresome after a while, and the overall silliness of the song didn't appeal to me. While I can understand its appeal as a catchy tune, it falls short in terms of lyrical content and musical depth. It's definitely not a song that I would add to my playlist.