The song "Witch Doctor" was released in 1958 by American singer and songwriter Ross Bagdasarian Sr., known professionally as David Seville. The song became a big hit and reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Witch Doctor" is a novelty song that tells the story of a man seeking advice from a witch doctor to help him win the heart of the woman he loves. The song features distinctive falsetto vocals and a catchy chorus that repeats the phrase "Oo ee oo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang," which became one of the song's most memorable and recognizable hooks. David Seville, who also created the beloved Chipmunks characters, is known for his unique style of recording where he sped up his voice to create the high-pitched, squeaky voices of the Chipmunks.
Later, Bagdasarian reached further success by implementing the same technique to create the ever popular Alvin and the Chipmunks in their debut hit The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't be Late). Just as Witch Doctor continues to be a staple song for Halloween, so has The Chipmunk Song become a standard for the yule tide season.
Later, Bagdasarian reached further success by implementing the same technique to create the ever popular Alvin and the Chipmunks in their debut hit The Chipmunk Song Christmas Don t be Late. Later, Bagdasarian reached further success by implementing the same technique to create the ever popular Alvin and the Chipmunks in their debut hit The Chipmunk Song Christmas Don t be Late.
David Seville, who also created the beloved Chipmunks characters, is known for his unique style of recording where he sped up his voice to create the high-pitched, squeaky voices of the Chipmunks. This technique is also used in "Witch Doctor," where he uses a similar sped-up vocal effect for the witch doctor's responses. The popularity of "Witch Doctor" led to the creation of the Chipmunks franchise, with the Chipmunks themselves recording their own version of the song in later years.
Witch doctr song 1958
"Oo ee oo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang," toots the chorus of this infectious Halloween favorite from 1958. Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. wrote and performed the tune under the guise of fictitious character David Seville. It was Bagdasarian's first attempt at utilizing a V-M tape recorder, which allowed his voice to be sped up to double speed for the part of the witch doctor. The result was Bagdasarian's first number one hit which was released during the summer season by Liberty Records. The novelty single initially went as far as selling over 1,000,000 copies in the United States alone.
Later, Bagdasarian reached further success by implementing the same technique to create the ever popular Alvin and the Chipmunks in their debut hit The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't be Late). Just as Witch Doctor continues to be a staple song for Halloween, so has The Chipmunk Song become a standard for the yule tide season.
Ironically, Bagdasarian released a cover version to his own song, Witch Doctor, using the Chipmunks and his David Seville creations. The cover song first aired on an episode of The Alvin Show and was released in the Chipmunks' second album, Sing Again with The Chipmunks (1960, Liberty Records, 3159). During the intro, David Seville complains that he has already "made that record once!" -- in which Alvin coyly responds "But not with us!"
Although, the original version of Witch Doctor was released as a single (with Don't Whistle at Me, Baby on its B-Side), that very same year Bagdasarian re-released the hit song and included it in his second album David Seville: The Witch Doctor and Friends (1958, Liberty Records, 3092). Since then, it has found its way into many novelty compilation albums (100 Hits: Halloween 2009, DMG, 100 038; Dr. Demento: 20th Anniversary Collection 1991, Rhino Records, R2 70743; etc.) and has been covered by numerous artists (Don Lang, Sha Na Na, Instant Funk, Devo, Aqua, etc.).
LYRICSI told the witch doctor I was in love with you
I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
And then the witch doctor, he told me what to do
He said that .
(Chorus:)
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang.
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
I told the witch doctor you didn't love me true
I told the witch doctor you didn't love me nice
And then the witch doctor, he gave me this advice
He said that .
(Chorus:)
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang.
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
You've been keeping love from me
Just like you were a miser
And I'll admit I wasn't very smart
So I went out and found myself
A guy that's so much wiser
And he taught me the way to win your heart
My friend the witch doctor, he taught me what to say
My friend the witch doctor, he taught me what to do
I know that you'll be mine when I say this to you
Oh, Baby .
(Chorus:)
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang.
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Although, the original version of Witch Doctor was released as a single (with Don't Whistle at Me, Baby on its B-Side), that very same year Bagdasarian re-released the hit song and included it in his second album David Seville: The Witch Doctor and Friends (1958, Liberty Records, 3092). Since then, it has found its way into many novelty compilation albums (100 Hits: Halloween 2009, DMG, 100 038; Dr. Demento: 20th Anniversary Collection 1991, Rhino Records, R2 70743; etc.) and has been covered by numerous artists (Don Lang, Sha Na Na, Instant Funk, Devo, Aqua, etc.).
The song has been covered by various artists over the years and remains a nostalgic and fun tune for many. The success of "Witch Doctor" highlights the enduring appeal of novelty songs and the ability of catchy melodies and humorous lyrics to capture the public's attention. The song's playful nature and energetic performance by David Seville make it a timeless classic that continues to entertain audiences today..
Reviews for "The Undeniable Catchiness of Witch Doctor Song in 1958: How it Captivated Audiences"
- John - 1 star
I found "Witch Doctor Song 1958" to be incredibly annoying and repetitive. The lyrics were nonsensical, and the constant chanting of "Oo ee oo ah ah, ting tang walla walla bing bang" quickly became grating. There was no depth or complexity to the song, and it lacked any musicality. Overall, I was highly disappointed and cannot understand how this song became popular.
- Sarah - 2 stars
While I appreciate the historical significance of "Witch Doctor Song 1958," I personally did not enjoy it. The song felt outdated and out of touch with modern music. The repetitive nature of the lyrics became tiresome, and the simplistic melody failed to captivate me. Additionally, the production quality sounded poor, making it difficult to fully appreciate the song. Though it may have been a hit in its time, for me, it fell flat.
- David - 1 star
I do not understand the appeal of "Witch Doctor Song 1958." It is a prime example of a mindless, catchy tune that lacks any substance. The lyrics are juvenile and meaningless, and the melody is incredibly simplistic. The song lacks creativity and originality; it feels like a lazy attempt to create a hit. Overall, I found this song to be disposable and forgettable.
- Emily - 2 stars
I listened to "Witch Doctor Song 1958" out of curiosity, but I was left unimpressed. The song felt gimmicky and lacked depth. The repetitive nature of the chorus quickly grew tiresome, and the verses offered no redeeming qualities. While I understand that it may have been a hit during its time, I personally found it to be a forgettable and unremarkable song.