March 11, 2013

Da da da (and other faux lyrics)

So I was listening to some retro music and I noticed and/or remembered some questionable song lyrics. The combinations of 'da', 'de' and 'doo' can (and 'do') replace whole lines of song. While part of me says that this is not trying hard enough when writing songs, there are many songs that would be entirely forgetable without these anti-lyrics. Although these words seem to have the least to say, they end up being the most distinctive and vivid later on.
Examples:

Suzanne Vega (& DNA) - Tom's Diner (1987/1990)
This is a simple folk song (1987) until it was remixed. It was taken apart and put together again with more doo's The original doesn't actually feature any instruments at all. This a cappella version's doo's are at the end of the song as a closing. The remixed version takes the ending makes it the most prominent part of the song, throughout and right from the start.

Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless) (1991)
I actually find this song to be slightly irritating. Still, I've always remembered it. The "La da dee, la da da" tune of the chorus might stay with you too.

The Police - De do do do, De da da da (1980)
This song really is a solid example of what I am talking about. The title brings the point home and part of the song implies that these words really do mean nothing: 
"De do do do, de da da da>
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do, de da da da
They're meaningless and all that's true."
Still it's a catchy and recognizable tune with a fun and low-tech video:

Trio - Da da da (1982)
Of all these examples, this is probably my favourite song. The minimalist German band, Trio, sings, "I Don't Love You - You Don't Love Me" in German and their catchy chorus of "Da da da" is another fine example of the non-word lyric. If you've never heard this song before, at least wait to the chorus when he pulls a keyboard out of his pocket. (Seriously!) This main part of the song is reasonably common in television commercials so you may find it familiar.

There's probably others too. There's also the all 'La la la' and 'Na na na' songs that I won't get into. There's even a 'Trololo'!
Even though these faux lyrics aren't actual words, some of these songs say more and are better social commentaries than other more articulate songs. 

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