Dracula Cha Cha Cha is a 1959 novelty song by Italian singer Bruno Martino (La Voce del Padrone, 7 MQ 1271, 1959). [1] Steno's horror-comedy film Tempi duri per i vampiri (1959) and released as a single the same year. It was later included in the album Italian Graffiti (1960/61) and performed onscreen in Vincente Minnelli's film Two Weeks in Another Town (1962).
Dracula Cha Cha Cha followed in the wake of the success of John Zacherle's similar Dracula-themed song, Dinner with Drac (1958). Martino's song shares a similar comedic tone, yet performed in a cha cha cha style. He describes how Dracula scares people and bites people's necks, while advising him to "suck a chicken and leave women alone.".
It was released as the A-side to the song Ho Sognato D'Amarti and originally written and composed for the film Tempi duri per i vampiri (1959). The lyrics were provided by Bruno Brighetti. [2] Some original prints list the song as Dracula Cha Cha, but all subsequent releases have spelled the title as Dracula Cha Cha Cha since.
Martino released a follow-up song called Draculino (Vampiro un po' bambino) (1959), about Dracula's son.
The song was covered in 1959 by Renato Rascel. [3] French-language versions were recorded by Fernand Bonifay (1960) and Henri Salvador (1961). [4] The song was covered in English by Bob McFadden in collaboration with Jack Hansen & The Transylvanians (1960), with lyrics and music provided by Rod McKuen. [5] [6] A German-language version was made by Walter Brandin in 1961. [7] Other notable cover versions were made by Bob Azzam (1960), Robert Donat (1960), The Good Fellas (2006) and The Tango Saloon (2008). [8]
Martino's original recording was also sampled by Gaby and the Batmacumba on their single Vampira Cha Cha Cha (2005). [9]
The song also inspired the title of the novel Dracula Cha Cha Cha (1998) by Kim Newman.
Henri Salvador was a French Caribbean comedian, singer and cabaret artist.
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Bruno Martino was an Italian composer, singer, and pianist. He is best remembered for his songs Dracula Cha Cha Cha (1959) and Estate (1960).
Uncle Was a Vampire is a 1959 Italian comedy horror film, directed by Steno. A novelty song by Bruno Martino, Dracula Cha Cha Cha, written for this film, later became a widely covered hit.
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