"Zabadak!" | ||||
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Single by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich | ||||
from the album If No-One Sang | ||||
B-side | "The Sun Goes Down" | |||
Released | 29 September 1967 | |||
Recorded | 6 September 1967 [1] | |||
Studio | Chappell Studios, London | |||
Genre | Psychedelic pop | |||
Length | 3:35 | |||
Label | Fontana | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Steve Rowland | |||
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich singles chronology | ||||
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"Zabadak!" is a song by British musical group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, written by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley. [2] It was released as a single in September 1967, peaking at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the group's only single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 52. [3] [4] It was their fifth of seven to chart in Canada.
The song uses pseudo-African style percussion (created in the studio by the group) and a nonsense lyric in its repetitive chorus, to highlight the meaning of its two verses (sung in English). This use of an African motif was typical of the group's dabbling with other world styles of music, such as the Latin style of "Save Me" and the Greek style of "Bend It!" [5]
The group also recorded a version of "Zabadak!" in Italian, which was released as a single there backed with an Italian-language version of "Save Me". [6] However, the single failed to chart. Both tracks were later included as bonus tracks on the 2003 CD release of If No-One Sang . [7]
Reviewing for New Musical Express , Derek Johnson described "Zabadak" as "loaded with appeal and yet completely different from anything they have previously waxed. The basic influences are a blend between Afro-Cuban and Peruvian Incan. Add to this a catchy and continually-repeated chorus, some very attractive counter-harmonies, a pulsing beat with throbbing conga drums, and a lush string section in the background – plus a haunting tune that nags at the brain – and you've got a Hit". [8] Billboard wrote that this "African flavored rhythm item has much of the feel of "Pata Pata". [9] In a guest column for Disc and Music Echo , Radio Caroline DJ Johnnie Walker praised "Zabadak!" as "a well-produced record and a different sound". [10]
7": Fontana / TF 873
7": Star-Club / 148 595 STF (Germany)
Weekly Charts
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Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich were an English rock band active during the 1960s. Formed in Salisbury in 1964, the band consisted of David John Harman, Charles Clark (Dozy) later replaced by Trevor Leonard Ward-Davies (Dozy), John Dymond (Beaky), Michael Wilson (Mick) and Ian Frederick Stephen Amey (Tich). Their novel name, zany stage act and lurid dress sense helped propel them to chart success with a string of hit singles penned by songwriters Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley including "Hold Tight!", "Bend It!" and "Zabadak!". Over the course of the band's career, they played several different genres, including freakbeat, mod and pop. Two of their single releases sold in excess of one million copies each, and they reached number one in the UK Singles Chart with the second of them, "The Legend of Xanadu". Unlike many other British bands of the 1960s who were associated with the British invasion of the United States, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich had limited commercial US success. Since their original break-up in 1973, the band have reunited in various formations and a lineup featuring Dymond.
"The Legend of Xanadu" is a single by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich that reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in 1968 and was the group's biggest hit. It was written by songwriters Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley. As was the case with many of the group's recordings, it features novelty elements — a trumpet section and the distinctive sound of a whip cracking in the chorus. The musical accompaniment was directed by John Gregory. The single was certified gold in November 1968.
David John Harman, known professionally as Dave Dee, was an English singer-songwriter, musician, A&R manager, fundraiser and businessman. He was the frontman for the 1960s pop band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich.
"Hold Tight!" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. The song was recorded on 11 January 1966 at Fontana's studio in Marble Arch, London and released as a single in February 1966. It was included on the band's debut album, issued on 24 June 1966.
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich is the debut self-titled album by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. It largely features songs penned by Alan Blaikley and Ken Howard including the band's first top 20 hit "Hold Tight!", which reached a peak of #4 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1966. In 1967, the album was issued in some countries under the title What's in a Name.
If Music Be the Food of Love... Prepare for Indigestion is the second studio album by English rock band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released in December 1966. It features the singles "Hideaway", "You Make It Move" and "Bend It!". Unlike the band's debut album, it failed to reach the top 20 of the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number 27. Reviewing the album for Allmusic, Lindsay Planer described If Music Be the Food of Love... as "another batch of strong Brit-pop compositions" and praised the band's sense of humour and "sharp musicality".
"The Wreck of the 'Antoinette'" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single in September 1968. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.
This is the discography of the British band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich.
"Last Night in Soho" is a single by English pop band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released by Fontana on 28 June 1968. Written by the band's regular songwriters Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley, it was the follow-up to the chart topper "The Legend of Xanadu" and gave the band their final top-ten placing on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 8.
"Hideaway" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single in June 1966. It peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Bend It!" is a song by English pop band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single by Fontana on 9 September 1966. Written by the band's management team Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley, the song's Greek flavour and tempo changes garnered comparisons to Mikis Theodorakis's composition "Zorba's Dance". Though considered a departure from the "big-beat" style of the band's previous hits, "Bend It!" was a major chart success. It peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and had combined sales of over a million in the UK and Europe.
"Save Me" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single in December 1966. It peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Touch Me, Touch Me" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single in March 1967. It peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Okay!" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single in May 1967. It peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Don Juan'" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single in February 1969. It peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Snake in the Grass" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single in May 1969. Like with the previous single, "Don Juan", it peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.
"You Make It Move" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single in November 1965. It was the group's first charting single, peaking at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Tonight Today" is a song by the remaining members of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich after the departure of Dave Dee. It was released as a single in November 1969.
"Hard to Love You" is a song by English band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, first released in June 1966 on their eponymous album. It was later released as a single in several countries.