Shaddap You Face

Last updated

"Shaddap You Face"
Joe Dolce - SYF.jpg
Single by Joe Dolce Music Theatre
B-side "Ain't in No Hurry"
Released
  • 1980 (international)
  • April 1981 (U.S.)
Recorded1980
Genre
Length3:13
Label
Songwriter(s) Joe Dolce [3]
Producer(s) Joe Dolce and Ian McKenzie [3]
Joe Dolce singles chronology
"Boat People"
(1979)		"Shaddap You Face"
(1980)		"If You Want to Be Happy"
(1981)

"Shaddap You Face" is a novelty song written and performed by Joe Dolce (released under the name Joe Dolce Music Theatre) about a rebellious Italian boy. Released in late 1980, it set a number of sales and longevity records.

Contents

It was released by Mike Brady's record label Full Moon Records. [4] By February 1981, the single had sold over 290,000 units in Australia, surpassing Brady's own "Up There Cazaly" to become Australia's best-selling single ever. [5]

Writing

Dolce, who is Italian-American, said he wrote "Shaddap You Face" based on memories of his childhood, when his family members would speak in broken English. [6]

Sales

"Shaddap You Face" went to number one for eight weeks on the Australia Kent Music Report in 1980. [7] It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on 21 February 1981 and stayed there for three weeks until 8 March 1981, keeping Ultravox's single "Vienna" out of the top spot throughout. [8] The song became the 15th biggest hit of 1981 in the UK. [9]

"Shaddap You Face" was also number one in 11 other countries. There have been over 50 different foreign language cover versions, and hundreds more published informally on YouTube with new versions of the song being recorded and uploaded every year.

In the US, the song peaked at number 53 in 1981 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 43 on the Cash Box Top 100, [10] and number 24 on Record World . However, it was regularly played on the Dr. Demento show to the point of being number six on the year-end Funny 25 that year. In the Canadian province of Quebec, "Shaddap You Face" reached number one for twelve weeks. [11]

Other versions

Lou Monte released a cover of the song in 1981. [12] Other notable cover versions have been done by KRS-One (hip-hop), [13] EMF (British), [14] Andrew Sachs (Manuel in the British television sitcom Fawlty Towers ), Werner Böhm, alias: Gottlieb Wendehals (German, title: "Mensch, ärger dich nicht"), [15] Sheila (French, titled: "Et ne la ramène pas"), [16] Dingetje (Dutch, titled: "Houtochdiekop"), [17] De Strangers (dialect from Antwerp, Belgium, titled: "Agget Mor Fret"), [18] Volker Rosin und die Lollypops (German, titled: "Hörst du nicht die Kuh – Muh!"), Franco Franchi with the duo Franco e Ciccio (Italian, title: "Alì Alì Alè"), [19] an Aboriginal language version by Gnarnyarrhe Waitairie, a Papua New Guinean version by the Breeze Band (title: "Pasim Pes Bilong Yu" – Tok Pisin version), [20] and a spoken word interpretation by Samuel L. Jackson. [21]

A Czech interpretation written by Zdeněk Borovec, "Já na bráchu blues", performed by Helena Vondráčková and Jiří Korn, was a hit in Czechoslovakia in 1981. [22]

The National Folk Festival in Canberra featured 'The Inspired Shaddap You Face Contest' in April 2006. Festival artists were invited to perform their interpretations of the classic song. The Cygnet Folk Festival in Tasmania featured the second 'Inspired Shaddap You Face Contest' in the following year. Joe Dolce was invited to be the MC at both events.

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [51] 3× Platinum300,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [52] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Parodies

"Bite Your Bum", a parody of "Shaddap You Face", was made in 1981 by Australian artists Peter Plus with Bazz and Pilko (Barry Ion and Tony Pilkington). It reached No. 32 in New Zealand. [53]

Another parody was composed in 1991 for a McCain pizza slices television commercial in the United Kingdom, entitled "Fillap You Face" (fill up your face). [54]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy Little Thing Called Love</span> 1979 single by Queen

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is a song by the British rock band Queen. Written by Freddie Mercury in 1979, the track is included on their 1980 album The Game, and also appears on the band's compilation album Greatest Hits in 1981. The song peaked at number two in the UK Singles Chart in 1979 and became the group's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US in 1980, remaining there for four consecutive weeks. It topped the Australian ARIA Charts for seven weeks. It was the band's final single release of the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Speak</span> 1996 single by No Doubt

"Don't Speak" is a song by American rock band No Doubt, featured on their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). Released as an album track in April 1996 by Interscope Records, the song was initially written as a love song by lead singer Gwen Stefani and her brother, former band member Eric Stefani. However, after several revisions, Gwen reworked the lyrics into a breakup song, reflecting the end of her seven-year relationship with bandmate Tony Kanal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Dolce</span> American-Australian singer-songwriter (born 1947)

Joseph Dolce is an American-Australian singer, songwriter, poet and essayist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vienna (Ultravox song)</span> 1981 single by Ultravox

"Vienna" is a song by British new wave band Ultravox, released on 9 January 1981 by Chrysalis Records as the third single and the title track from their fourth studio album of the same name. The new wave ballad, which features Midge Ure on lead vocals, is regarded as a staple of the synth-pop genre that was popularised in the early 1980s, and remains both the band's signature song and their most commercially successful release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crying (Roy Orbison song)</span> 1961 song by Roy Orbison

"Crying" is a song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson for Orbison's third studio album of the same name (1962). Released in 1961, it was a number 2 hit in the US for Orbison and was covered in 1978 by Don McLean, whose version went to number 1 in the UK in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kung Fu Fighting</span> 1974 single by Carl Douglas

"Kung Fu Fighting" is a disco song by Jamaican vocalist Carl Douglas, written by Douglas and produced by British-Indian musician Biddu. It was released in 1974 as the first single from his debut album, Kung Fu Fighting and Other Great Love Songs (1974), on the cusp of a chopsocky film craze and rose to the top of the British, Australian, Canadian, and American charts, in addition to reaching the top of the Soul Singles chart. It received a Gold certification from the RIAA in 1974 and popularized disco music. It eventually went on to sell eleven million records worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. The song uses the Oriental riff, a short musical phrase that is used to signify Chinese culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In the Summertime</span> 1970 single by Mungo Jerry

"In the Summertime" is the debut single by British rock band Mungo Jerry, released in 1970. It reached number one in charts around the world, including seven weeks on the UK Singles Chart, two weeks at number one on the Canadian charts, and number three on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the US. It became one of the best-selling singles of all-time, and is the biggest-selling single of all-time by a British band, eventually selling 30 million copies. Written and composed by the band's lead singer, Ray Dorset, while working in a lab for Timex, the lyrics of the song celebrate the carefree days of summer. The track was included on the second album by the band, Electronically Tested, issued in March 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sing It Back</span> 1999 single by Moloko

"Sing It Back" is a song written and performed by Irish-English electronic music duo Moloko. It first appeared in its original version on Moloko's second album, I Am Not a Doctor (1998); it was released as a single on 8 March 1999, reaching number 45 on the UK Singles Chart. The song experienced chart success after it was remixed by DJ Boris Dlugosch, peaking at number four in the UK in September 1999. Murphy had started writing the lyrics while clubbing in New York City, and knew the song was at heart a dance track, but the group wanted to record it in a different artistic fashion for its album version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Was Made for Lovin' You</span> 1979 song by Kiss

"I Was Made for Lovin' You" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1979 album, Dynasty. It was released as the A-side of their first single from the album, with "Hard Times" as the B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Got It</span> 1989 single by Roy Orbison

"You Got It" is a song from American singer Roy Orbison's 22nd studio album, Mystery Girl (1989). The song was released posthumously on January 3, 1989, after Orbison's death from a heart attack on December 6, 1988. The song was issued with "The Only One" as the B-side and was later released with "Crying". The single reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Adult Contemporary chart, returning Orbison to the top 10 for the first time in 25 years. "You Got It" also reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and entered the top five in 10 other countries. Although it is an Orbison solo single, Orbison's fellow Traveling Wilburys bandmates Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne co-wrote the song and played instruments on the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Since I Don't Have You</span> 1958 song by the Skyliners

"Since I Don't Have You" is a song written and composed by Jackie Taylor, James Beaumont, Janet Vogel, Joseph Rock, Joe Verscharen, Lennie Martin, and Wally Lester. It was first a 1958 hit single for the doo-wop group the Skyliners on the Billboard Hot 100. Country music singer Ronnie Milsap had a hit with the song in 1991. American hard rock band Guns N' Roses also had some success in 1994 with their version of the song which reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make a Move on Me</span> 1982 single by Olivia Newton-John

"Make a Move on Me" is a song recorded by singer Olivia Newton-John for her eleventh studio album. Physical (1981). It was written by John Farrar and Tom Snow, and produced by the former. The follow-up single to the number-one hit "Physical", it was released in January 1982 and peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 that April. It also became her twelfth and final single to be certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shame, Shame, Shame (Shirley & Company song)</span> 1974 single by Shirley & Company

"Shame, Shame, Shame" is a 1974 hit song written by Sylvia Robinson, performed by American disco band Shirley & Company and released on the Vibration label. The female vocalist is Shirley Goodman, who was one half of Shirley & Lee, who had enjoyed a major hit 18 years earlier, in 1956, with the song "Let The Good Times Roll" for Aladdin Records. The male vocalist is Jesus Alvarez. The saxophone solo is by Seldon Powell, whose instrumental version, "More Shame", is the B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Ain't Gonna Stand for It</span> 1980 single by Stevie Wonder

"I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" is the second single from Stevie Wonder's 1980 album, Hotter Than July. It reached number four on the Billboard R&B singles chart and number 11 on the Hot 100. It also hit number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is famous for Wonder's imitation of a seasoned country-and-western crooner and his inspiring drumming. Charlie and Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band provide backing vocals on the song. It was covered by Eric Clapton in 2001.

"Daddy's Home" is a famous song by American doo-wop group Shep and the Limelites. The song was written by the three members of the band, James "Shep" Sheppard (1935–1970), Clarence Bassett (1936–2005) and Charles Baskerville. The group recorded the original version of "Daddy's Home" on February 1, 1961, and it was released on Hull Records in March 1961 with the B-side being "This I Know".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gypsy Woman (The Impressions song)</span>

"Gypsy Woman" is a 1961 rhythm and blues song written by Curtis Mayfield and recorded by his group the Impressions. The group's first single following the departure of lead singer Jerry Butler, it reached No. 2 on the US Billboard R&B chart, No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the Cash Box chart. It also appeared on the group's 1963 eponymous debut album. Joe Bataan (1967), Brian Hyland (1970), Bobby Womack (1985), Steve Marriott (1989), and Santana (1990) covered this song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Jackson discography</span>

This page lists albums, singles, and compilations by the musician Joe Jackson. Jackson's recording career as a solo artist began in 1979, with the release of his debut album Look Sharp!. The album was recorded with the Joe Jackson Band, with whom he would release two more albums, I'm the Man and Beat Crazy, the latter of which was credited to the full band rather than simply Jackson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Hand Rose (song)</span> Song written by Grant Clarke and James F. Hanley for Fanny Brice

"Second Hand Rose" is a 1921 popular song written by Grant Clarke and James F. Hanley for Fanny Brice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Little in Love (Cliff Richard song)</span> 1980 single by Cliff Richard

"A Little in Love" is a song recorded by Cliff Richard, released as the second single from his 1980 album, I'm No Hero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Richard singles discography</span>

The singles discography of English singer Cliff Richard consists in excess of 200 singles, of which 159 singles have been released in the UK in varying vinyl, CD, cassette and digital formats. Listed alongside the UK singles in the discography below are a further 20 singles which were released in other territories, as well as 22 singles which were sung in German and only released in German-speaking countries.

References

  1. ↑ Eddy, Chuck (22 March 1997). "Refried Dreams". The Accidental Evolution of Rock 'n' Roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music. Da Capo Press. p. 183. ISBN   0-306-80741-6.
  2. ↑ Evans, Richard (6 August 2024). "1981.1". Listening to the Music the Machines Make: Inventing Electronic Pop 1978-1983. Omnibus Press. p. 241. ISBN   978-1-915841-45-2.
  3. 1 2 3 Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 212. ISBN   0-85112-250-7.
  4. ↑ "What's a matter you, hey?". The Age. 24 July 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  5. ↑ "International Dateline" (PDF). Cash Box . 14 February 1981. p. 38. Retrieved 4 December 2021– via World Radio History.
  6. ↑ "'Terry Wogan said it was the worst thing he'd ever heard!': Brian May, Sugababes and more on hitting No 1". The Guardian . 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  7. 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  8. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 390–1. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  9. ↑ "Top 100 1981 – UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Top 100 1981-06-27". Cashbox Magazine . Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  11. ↑ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  12. ↑ Lou Monte, "Shaddap You Face", YouTube
  13. ↑ KRS One, "Shaddap You Face", YouTube
  14. ↑ EMF, "Shaddap Your Face", YouTube
  15. ↑ Gottlieb Wendehals, "Mensch, ärger dich nicht", YouTube
  16. ↑ Sheila, "Et ne la ramene pas", YouTube
  17. ↑ Dingetje, "Houtochdiekop", YouTube
  18. ↑ De Strangers, "Agget mor fret", YouTube
  19. ↑ Franco e Ciccio, "Alì Alì Alè", YouTube
  20. ↑ Papua New Guinea Breeze Band, "Pasim Pes Bilong Yu", YouTube
  21. ↑ Samuel L. Jackson, "Shaddap You Face", YouTube
  22. ↑ Helena Vondráčková & Jiří Korn - Já na bráchu blues (oficiální video)
  23. ↑ "Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddap You Face" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  24. ↑ "Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddap You Face" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  25. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0376." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  26. ↑ "Hits of the World – Denmark" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 93, no. 18. 9 May 1981. p. 63. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  27. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Shaddap Your Face". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  28. ↑ "Hits of the World – Israel" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 13. 4 April 1981. p. 87. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  29. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 1981" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  30. ↑ "Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddap You Face" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  31. ↑ "Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddap You Face". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  32. ↑ "Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddap You Face". VG-lista. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  33. ↑ "SA Number 1s 1965 – 1989". rock.co.za. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  34. ↑ "Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddap You Face". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  35. ↑ "Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddap You Face". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  36. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  37. ↑ "Joe Dolce Music Theatre Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  38. ↑ "Record World Singles" (PDF). Record World . 4 July 1981. p. 25. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  39. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddap You Face" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  40. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. 5 January 1981. Retrieved 17 January 2022– via Imgur.
  41. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1981". Kent Music Report. 4 January 1982. p. 7. Retrieved 11 January 2022– via Imgur.
  42. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1981" (in German). Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  43. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1981" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  44. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of 1981". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  45. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1981". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  46. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1981" (in Dutch). Single Top 100 . Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  47. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1981". South African Rock Lists. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  48. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1981" (in German). Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  49. ↑ "Chart File Top 100" (PDF). Record Mirror . London: Spotlight Publications. 26 December 1981. p. 27. Retrieved 13 June 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  50. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1981" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  51. ↑ "Scoring High" (PDF). Billboard . 9 May 1981. p. ANZ-13. Retrieved 5 December 2021– via World Radio History.
  52. ↑ "British single certifications – Joe Dolce – Shaddap You Face". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  53. ↑ Flavour of New Zealand, 10 May 1981
  54. ↑ "McCain Pizza Slices Commercial - 1991" on YouTube
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.