Witch Doctor (song)

Last updated

"Witch Doctor"
DS witchdoctor.jpg
Single by Ross Bagdasarian
from the album The Alvin Show
B-side "Don't Whistle at Me, Baby"
ReleasedApril 1958 (1958-04)
Genre
Length2:15
Label Liberty
Songwriter(s) Ross Bagdasarian
Producer(s) Ross Bagdasarian
Ross Bagdasarian singles chronology
"Witch Doctor"
(1958)		"The Bird on My Head"
(1958)

"Witch Doctor" is a 1958 American novelty song written and recorded by Ross Bagdasarian (under the stage name of David Seville). Bagdasarian sang the song, varying the tape speeds to produce high-pitched voices. [1] [2] The technique developed for the voice of the witch doctor was later used for the creation of the voices of Bagdasarian's virtual band Alvin and the Chipmunks. It became a number one hit and rescued Liberty Records from near-bankruptcy. [3]

Contents

In the early stages of his career, Ross Bagdasarian, a Broadway actor who'd been a pianist in Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 masterpiece Rear Window, purchased a specialized tape recorder. Experimenting with the device, he discovered he could create a high-pitched squeaky voice, a technique pioneered on the successful "Witch Doctor". In the song, the narrator asks a witch doctor for romantic advice because he has fallen in love with a girl; the witch doctor responds in a high-pitched squeaky voice with a nonsense incantation which creates an earworm: "Oo-ee-oo-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla, bing-bang, oo-ee-oo-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla, bang-bang". He used this technique on another pre-Chipmunks track, "Bird on My Head." [4] [5] [6] The song held number one for three weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, [7] [8] ranked by Billboard as the No. 4 song for 1958. [9] [10]

History

Ross Bagdasarian in the 50s Ross Bagdasarian Sr.jpg
Ross Bagdasarian in the 50s

Ross Bagdasarian wrote the song, inspired by a book titled Duel with a Witch Doctor on his bookshelf. Bagdasarian had spent $200, a significant sum at that time, on a tape recorder, [11] and he had an idea of recording his voice at a different speed to create a dialogue between himself and the witch doctor. He sang in his own voice as normal, and then overdubbed the song with the voice of the "witch doctor", which is in fact his own voice sung slowly but recorded at half speed on the tape recorder, then played back at normal speed (the voice was therefore sped up to become a high-pitched, squeaky one). [5] [6] Bagdasarian recorded the music first, and then experimented with the process for creating the singing voice for two months before recording it in the studio. [5] [12] It was said that when Si Waronker from the financially-troubled Liberty Records label heard the resulting song, they released it to reach the shops within 24 hours. [13]

The same technique used to create the voice of the witch doctor was used in Bagdasarian's next song "The Bird on My Head", and then more significantly the highly successful Alvin and the Chipmunks, beginning with "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" released for Christmas 1958. [6] Initially released under David Seville alone, "Witch Doctor" was also released under the name of David Seville and the Chipmunks and re-recorded under the name Alvin and the Chipmunks. The technique was also imitated by other recording artists, such as Sheb Wooley in "The Purple People Eater". [12] The Big Bopper parodied both songs on "The Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor"; this song was originally released as a single, but it was its flip-side "Chantilly Lace" that became the hit. [14]

Chart performance

"Witch Doctor" peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100, the predecessor to the Billboard Hot 100. The single was considered a major surprise hit on the chart, where it became Ross Bagdasarian and Liberty Records' first No. 1 single, and stayed in the position for three weeks. The single also peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart even though it is not a R&B song – this is due to the R&B chart being a trade category at the time, reflecting the popularity of the song with African-American radio stations and customers. [15] The single had sold 1.4 million copies in the United States by December 1958. [16] Billboard ranked it as the No. 4 song for 1958. [17]

Charts

Chart (1958)Peak
position
Canada (CHUM Hit Parade) [18] 1
UK Singles (OCC) [19] 11
US Top 100 Sides (Billboard) [20] 1
US Billboard Rhythm & Blues Records [21] 1
US Cash Box Top 100 [22] 1

Cover versions

Alvin and the Chipmunks versions

The song has gained further popularity due to multiple covers performed by Alvin and the Chipmunks, another Ross Bagdasarian creation. The first one was for their 1960 album Sing Again with The Chipmunks , which would later be adapted into a musical segment in The Alvin Show , which in turn was released as a single and included on the eponymous soundtrack of the animated series. In 1983, they performed this song on the Alvin and the Chipmunks episode "The Chipmunk Story" and for their 1984 album Songs from our TV Shows. The Chipmunk Adventure also features the song, this time sung by Mrs. Miller. The song was used for the opening of the 1990 TV special Rockin' Through the Decades in the style of various artists.

In 2007, a DeeTown remix cover featuring Chris Classic was recorded for the live-action/CGI film Alvin and the Chipmunks . This version reached No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2008. [23]

Cartoons version

"Witch Doctor"
Witch Doctor Cartoons.jpg
Single by Cartoons
from the album Toonage
ReleasedOctober 26, 1998 (1998-10-26)
Recorded1998
Genre Eurodance
Length3:06
Label
Songwriter(s) Ross Bagdasarian
Producer(s)
  • Sponge
  • Toonie
  • Michael Pfundheller
Cartoons singles chronology
"DooDah"
(1998)		"Witch Doctor"
(1998)		"Yoko"
(1998)
Music video
"Witch Doctor" on YouTube

Danish band Cartoons covered "Witch Doctor" for their 1998 debut album, Toonage . Released on October 26, 1998, their version charted well in Europe, reaching the Top 40 in several countries, and peaking at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in March 1999. [24]

Music video

The accompanying music video for the group's version features both live-action and 2D animation, and depicts them (as "the Cartoons", as shown on the title card) visiting a witch doctor. Lead singer Toonie urges the rest to see him, but they are all reluctant. He asks the witch doctor to give them the "magic words" (i. e. the famous nonsensical lyric), which the latter does, after which the group enters the house and follows the witch doctor into a TV and out the back, where they fall off a cliff but miraculously land unharmed on the ground. They all get into a ship shaped like a giant microphone, called "Toontanic" (based on the Titanic), and fly through the sky, underwater and in space. At this point, the video starts showing sexual themes, contrasting the cartoon theme. The rod-shaped spaceship flies into a hole, and then, bumps into a sphere, appearing to imitate a sperm fertilizing an egg. The witch doctor transforms into Elvis Presley, drops them off atop a building with a sign that reads "Toonie-Wood", declares his love for the band and says goodbye before leaving the place. [25]

Track listings

CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Witch Doctor" (Radio Mix)3:06
2."Witch Doctor" (Extended Mix)4:14
3."Witch Doctor" (Out of Africa Remix)5:09

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
DenmarkOctober 26, 1998 CD [26]
United KingdomMarch 22, 1999 [27]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [43] Platinum600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberty Records</span> US and UK record label

Liberty Records was a record label founded in the United States by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Alvin Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alvin and the Chipmunks</span> Virtual band and media franchise

Alvin and the Chipmunks, originally David Seville and the Chipmunks and billed for their first two decades as the Chipmunks, are an American animated virtual band and media franchise first created by Ross Bagdasarian for Novelty records in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks named Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. The characters have since featured in several television series and films, as well as other media.

David "Dave" Seville is a fictional character, the adoptive father and producer and manager of the fictional singing group Alvin and the Chipmunks. The character was created by Ross Bagdasarian, who had used the name "David Seville" as his stage name prior to the creation of the Chipmunks, while writing and recording novelty records in the 1950s. One of the records, recorded in 1958 under the David Seville stage name, was "Witch Doctor", featuring a sped-up high-pitched vocal technique. Bagdasarian would later use that technique in "The Chipmunk Song ", which would introduce both Alvin and the Chipmunks as a singing group and Bagdasarian's music producer "Dave". Bagdasarian would go on to create The Alvin Show, based on the Alvin and the Chipmunks group, where he voiced the semi-fictional character David Seville, based largely on himself, with Alvin based on Ross's sometimes rebellious son Adam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Bagdasarian</span> American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor (1919-1972)

Ross S. Bagdasarian, known professionally by his stage name David "Dave" Seville, was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor of Armenian descent best known for creating the cartoon band Alvin and the Chipmunks. Initially a stage and film actor, he rose to prominence in 1958 with the songs "Witch Doctor" and "The Chipmunk Song ", which both became Billboard number-one singles. He produced and directed The Alvin Show, which aired on CBS in 1961–62.

<i>The Alvin Show</i> American animated TV series

The Alvin Show is an American animated television series that aired on CBS in the early 1960s. This was the first series to feature the singing characters Alvin and the Chipmunks. The Alvin Show aired for one season, from October 4, 1961, to September 12, 1962 and was originally sponsored by General Foods through its Jell-O gelatin and Post Cereal brands. Although the series was created in color, it was initially telecast in black and white. It was later rebroadcast in color from 1962-65 for Saturday mornings on CBS and again Saturday mornings on NBC in 1979.

<i>The Chipmunk Adventure</i> 1987 animated film by Janice Karman

The Chipmunk Adventure is a 1987 American animated musical-adventure comedy film based on the Saturday-morning cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Alvin and the Chipmunks virtual band and media franchise created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. The film was directed by Janice Karman and written by Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr.. The plot follows the Chipmunks and the Chipettes as they go on a hot air balloon race around the world while their guardian David is out on a trip, not knowing that it is a cover for a diamond smuggling ring. The chipmunks travel through a series of adventures in different countries while being hunted down by the diamond smugglers, Claudia and Klaus Furschtein.

"Come On-a My House" is a song written by Ross Bagdasarian and William Saroyan and originally released by Rosemary Clooney in 1951. Cousins Bagdasarian, a songwriter, and Saroyan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, wrote the song while driving across New Mexico in the summer of 1939. The melody is based on an Armenian folk song, and the lyrics reference traditional Armenian customs of hospitality.

A Chipmunk Christmas is a 1981 animated Christmas television special based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Chuck Jones Enterprises, it first aired on NBC December 14, 1981, nine years after the death of Alvin and the Chipmunks creator Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. This was the first time that Alvin, Simon and David Seville were voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and the first time that Theodore was voiced by Janice Karman.

<i>Chipmunk Punk</i> 1980 studio album by The Chipmunks

Chipmunk Punk is an album by the Chipmunks, as well as being the first album released by Ross Bagdasarian Jr., after he took over the voices of the Chipmunks after the death of his father in 1972. Despite the title of the album, none of the songs listed are considered to be in the style of real punk rock music. It was released in June 1980. The album peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard 200. It was certified gold by the RIAA on October 14, 1980, becoming the Chipmunks' first gold record. In 2005, it was re-released on CD, although the CD was only available through the official Chipmunks website. In Canada, the album reached No. 59.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)</span> 1958 novelty song by Ross Bagdasarian

"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" is a 1958 novelty Christmas song written and recorded by Ross Bagdasarian (under the stage name of David Seville). Bagdasarian sang the song, varying the tape speeds to produce high-pitched "chipmunk" voices, with the vocals credited to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Seville's cartoon virtual band and later media franchise. The song was nominated for Record of the Year in the 1st Annual Grammy Awards, where it also won three Awards.

<i>Sing Again with The Chipmunks</i> 1960 studio album by Ross Bagdasarian and Alvin and the Chipmunks

Sing Again with The Chipmunks is Alvin and the Chipmunks' second album, released by Liberty Records in January 1960. The album follows the same format as their first album, and contains the group's fifth and sixth singles—"Alvin's Orchestra" and "Comin' 'Round the Mountain". Since its initial release, Sing Again with The Chipmunks has appeared twice on CD; both releases utilized the revised 1961 cover artwork, minus the song lyrics printed on the original back cover.

<i>The Alvin Show</i> (album) 1961 soundtrack album by David Seville and Alvin and the Chipmunks

The Alvin Show is a music album by Alvin and the Chipmunks. It is the soundtrack album to the Chipmunks' first animated television series The Alvin Show. Upon the release of the album, the Chipmunks' first three albums were reissued with revised album cover art that utilized the cartoon redesigns of the characters.

Cartoons, also known as Cartoons DK, are a Danish Eurodance band, best known for their song "DooDah" and their cover of the 1958 novelty song "Witch Doctor", both hits released in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alvin's Harmonica</span> 1959 single by David Seville and The Chipmunks

"Alvin's Harmonica" is a song from the fictional musical group, Alvin and the Chipmunks, which also features additional vocals by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. who plays David Seville in the song. The song was released as the second single from the group's debut album, Let's All Sing with the Chipmunks in 1958. Like "Witch Doctor" and "The Chipmunk Song", it was adapted as one of the musical segments featured in The Alvin Show.

<i>Chipmunks à Go-Go</i> 1965 studio album by David Seville and Alvin and the Chipmunks

Chipmunks à Go-Go is an album by Alvin and the Chipmunks and David Seville, released by Liberty Records in 1965, again in 1982, and on compact disc in 1990.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks</i> (film) 2007 live-action animated film by Tim Hill

Alvin and the Chipmunks is a 2007 American live-action/animated jukebox musical comedy film directed by Tim Hill from a screenplay by Jon Vitti and the writing team of Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi. It is the first installment in the live-action film series of Alvin and the Chipmunks. The plot follows chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, who move in with struggling songwriter Dave Seville after losing their home. When Dave discovers their rare singing talent, he introduces them to JETT Records executive Ian Hawke, whose plans threaten the chipmunks' newfound family dynamic. The cast includes Jason Lee, David Cross, and Cameron Richardson, with voices by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney.

<i>The Chipmunks Go to the Movies</i> 1969 studio album by Alvin and the Chipmunks and David Seville

The Chipmunks Go to the Movies is a 1969 music album by David Seville and Alvin and the Chipmunks, released by Sunset Records, the budget-line subsidiary of Liberty Records.

This is the complete discography of the fictional music group Alvin and the Chipmunks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bird on My Head</span> 1958 single by Ross Bagdasarian

"The Bird on My Head" is a 1958 novelty song by Ross Bagdasarian.

Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2007 jukebox musical comedy film Alvin and the Chipmunks based on the characters of the same name created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Released on November 20, 2007, through Rhino Records, Razor & Tie and Chipmunk Records, the album featured original songs as well as existing musical numbers from the Chipmunks' discography. Ali Dee Theodore served as an executive producer on the soundtrack. An album, consisting of an original score composed by Christopher Lennertz, released as Alvin and the Chipmunks (Original Motion Picture Score) as a limited edition album on September 19, 2008 through La-La Land Records.

References

  1. ↑ ""The Chipmunk Song" Turns 60: Secrets of a Holiday Novelty Smash". The Hollywood Reporter . December 21, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Justice For "The Chipmunk Song": 10 Reasons It Will Always Be A Christmas Classic". Grammy Awards. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  3. ↑ "How David Seville and The Witch Doctor Rescued Liberty Records". Black Gold Brooklyn. October 11, 2017. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020.
  4. ↑ Kelly, Michael Bryan (1993). Liberty Records: A History of the Recording Company and Its Stars, 1955–1971. McFarland. p. 44. ISBN   9780899507408.
  5. 1 2 3 Bronson, Fred (1997). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. Billboard Books. p. 36. ISBN   9780823076413.
  6. 1 2 3 The Oxford Handbook of Music and Virtuality. Oxford University Press. 2016. p. 132. ISBN   9780199321285.
  7. ↑ "Chipmunk: Lighting Can Strike Twice". Billboard. December 1, 1958. p. 11.
  8. ↑ Ripani, Richard J. (2009). The New Blue Music: Changes in Rhythm & Blues, 1950–1999. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN   9781496801289.
  9. ↑ "Number One Song of the Year: 1946–2014". Bob Borst's Home of Pop Culture. March 9, 2023.
  10. ↑ "The Number Ones: The Chipmunks & David Seville's "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"". Stereogum . Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  11. ↑ Kelly, Michael Bryan (1993). Liberty Records: A History of the Recording Company and Its Stars, 1955-1971. McFarland. p. 44. ISBN   9780899507408.
  12. 1 2 Tyler, Don (2008). Music of the postwar era. Greenwood Press. p. 99–100. ISBN   9780313341915.
  13. ↑ Cotten, Lee (1995). Reelin' and Rockin': The Golden Age of American Rock 'N Roll 1956-1959. Pierian Press. p. 274. ISBN   9781560750390.
  14. ↑ Cooper, B. Lee; Haney, Wayne S. (1995). Rock Music in American Popular Culture: Rock 'n' Roll Resources. Vol. 1. Haworth Press. p. 258. ISBN   9781560248613.
  15. ↑ Ripani, Richard J. (2009). The New Blue Music: Changes in Rhythm & Blues, 1950–1999. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN   9781496801289.
  16. ↑ "Chipmunk: Lighting Can Strike Twice". Billboard. December 1, 1958. p. 11.
  17. ↑ "Number One Song of the Year: 1946–2014". Bob Borst's Home of Pop Culture. March 9, 2023.
  18. ↑ "CHUM Hit Parade, week of April 28, 1958".
  19. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  20. ↑ "Top 100 Sides". Billboard. May 12, 1958. p. 36.
  21. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 148.
  22. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, May 10, 1958".
  23. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. January 12, 2008. p. 46.
  24. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  25. ↑ Witch Doctor - Cartoons (Official Music Video) | Warner Vault. YouTube. Warner Records Vault. December 19, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Cartoons – Witch Doctor (1998)". Maniadb.com. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  27. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 22 March, 1999" (PDF). Music Week . March 20, 1999. p. 27. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Cartoons – Witch Doctor" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  29. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 16, no. 15. April 11, 1999. p. 8. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Cartoons – Witch Doctor" (in French). Les classement single.
  31. ↑ "Cartoons – Witch Doctor" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 25, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  33. ↑ "Cartoons – Witch Doctor" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  34. ↑ "Cartoons – Witch Doctor". Top 40 Singles.
  35. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Cartoons – Witch Doctor". Singles Top 100.
  37. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999". Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Yearly Best Selling Singles" (PDF). British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week . London, England: United Business Media. January 22, 2000. p. 27.
  43. ↑ "British single certifications – Cartoons – Witch Doctor". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Don Lang". The Official Charts Company.
  45. ↑ "La historia de cuando "El Loco" Valdés fue un esqueleto bailarín". El Universal (in Spanish). Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  46. ↑ "The Rugrats soundtrack to receive first ever vinyl release". November 27, 2018.
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.