Gimme Dat Ding (song)
Encyclopedia
"Gimme Dat Ding" is a 1970 popular song sung by "one-hit wonder
" The Pipkins
, written by Albert Hammond
and Mike Hazlewood. Released as a single, it is the title track of an album by The Pipkins on EMI Columbia, the song also appeared on a compilation of the same name, which The Pipkins shared with another up and coming group, The Sweet and hundreds of other compilations.
. (The voices are said to represent a piano
and a metronome
. The gravelly voice is also thought to be an imitation of a "dirty old man" character (who went by the descriptive name of "Tyrone F. Horneigh") played on a recurring basis by comedian Arte Johnson
on the old NBC
-TV show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
) or talked like Popeye the Sailor Man or Wolfman Jack
. Written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, "Gimme Dat Ding" was one track from their musical sequence "Oliver in the Overworld" which formed part of the British children's show Little Big Time hosted by Freddie and the Dreamers
; this narrated a surreal story of a little boy seeking the parts to mend his Grandfather Clock. The lyrics of the song relate to this story, the song being sung by a metronome who has been expelled by the clockwork king; the "ding" has been stolen from the metronome by the "undercog". The original version of the song as performed by Freddie was released on the now-rare album "Oliver in the Overworld" in 1970.
"Gimme Dat Ding" would become most famous for its use (as an instrumental) in silent sketches on The Benny Hill Show
throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The song was also used (as Gimme Dat Ring) by Coca Cola to advertise their new Ring Pull Cans in the early 1970s. The song reached #7 in Canada.
In Australia versions by Frankie Davidson and Maple Lace were released to compete with the version by the Pipkins.
In March 2007, a cover version
of "Gimme Dat Ding" received much publicity in Australia when the National Australia Bank
used the track as background to its television advertisement for the Australian Rules Football
Auskick
program for junior footballers. The television advertisement is known as "Kick to Kick" and is available for viewing online It has also featured in the Nineties TV comedy/drama Ally McBeal
.
A live version of "Gimme Dat Ding" (3:38), performed at the Fremont Town Hall, appears on the album Shaggs' Own Thing by The Shaggs
(Dorothy, Helen, and Betty Wiggin).
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
" The Pipkins
The Pipkins
The Pipkins were a short-lived novelty duo, best known for their hit single "Gimme Dat Ding" , which reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Charts and #9 on the U.S. charts in 1970...
, written by Albert Hammond
Albert Hammond
Albert Hammond OBE is a British singer, songwriter and record producer from Gibraltar.-Birth and early success:Hammond was born in London, England, where his family had been evacuated to from Gibraltar during World War II. His family returned to Gibraltar shortly after his birth, and there he grew...
and Mike Hazlewood. Released as a single, it is the title track of an album by The Pipkins on EMI Columbia, the song also appeared on a compilation of the same name, which The Pipkins shared with another up and coming group, The Sweet and hundreds of other compilations.
Song profile
"Gimme Dat Ding" is a call-and-response duet between a deep, gravelly voice and the high tenor of session vocalist Tony BurrowsTony Burrows
Anthony "Tony" Burrows is a British session singer. He has been credited with singing lead on hit singles for more groups than any other recording artist, both on the UK Singles Chart and the U.S...
. (The voices are said to represent a piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and a metronome
Metronome
A metronome is any device that produces regular, metrical ticks — settable in beats per minute. These ticks represent a fixed, regular aural pulse; some metronomes also include synchronized visual motion...
. The gravelly voice is also thought to be an imitation of a "dirty old man" character (who went by the descriptive name of "Tyrone F. Horneigh") played on a recurring basis by comedian Arte Johnson
Arte Johnson
Arthur Stanton Eric "Arte" Johnson is an American comic actor. Johnson was a regular on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. His best-remembered "character" was that of a German soldier with the catchphrase: "Verrrry interesting, but...['stupid', 'not very funny', and other variations]".-Early life:Johnson...
on the old NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
-TV show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In is an American sketch comedy television program which ran for 140 episodes from January 22, 1968, to May 14, 1973. It was hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin and was broadcast over NBC...
) or talked like Popeye the Sailor Man or Wolfman Jack
Wolfman Jack
Robert Weston Smith, known commonly as Wolfman Jack was a gravelly voiced US disc jockey who became famous in the 1960s and 1970s.-Early career:...
. Written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, "Gimme Dat Ding" was one track from their musical sequence "Oliver in the Overworld" which formed part of the British children's show Little Big Time hosted by Freddie and the Dreamers
Freddie and the Dreamers
Freddie and the Dreamers were an English band who had a number of hit records between May 1963 and November 1965. Their stage act was based around the comic antics of the 5-foot-3-inch-tall Freddie Garrity, who would bounce around the stage with arms and legs flying. The group remained active...
; this narrated a surreal story of a little boy seeking the parts to mend his Grandfather Clock. The lyrics of the song relate to this story, the song being sung by a metronome who has been expelled by the clockwork king; the "ding" has been stolen from the metronome by the "undercog". The original version of the song as performed by Freddie was released on the now-rare album "Oliver in the Overworld" in 1970.
"Gimme Dat Ding" would become most famous for its use (as an instrumental) in silent sketches on The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show is a British comedy television show starring Benny Hill.There were various incarnations of the show between 1951 and 1991, and it aired in over 140 countries. The show is generally sketch-based with heavy use of slapstick, mime, parody and double-entendre...
throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The song was also used (as Gimme Dat Ring) by Coca Cola to advertise their new Ring Pull Cans in the early 1970s. The song reached #7 in Canada.
In Australia versions by Frankie Davidson and Maple Lace were released to compete with the version by the Pipkins.
In March 2007, a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Gimme Dat Ding" received much publicity in Australia when the National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank is one of the four largest financial institutions in Australia in terms of market capitalisation and customers. NAB is ranked 17th largest bank in the world measured by market capitalisation...
used the track as background to its television advertisement for the Australian Rules Football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
Auskick
Auskick
Auskick is a national program in Australia to develop and promote participation in Australian rules football by children. It has proven to be popular with both boys and girls....
program for junior footballers. The television advertisement is known as "Kick to Kick" and is available for viewing online It has also featured in the Nineties TV comedy/drama Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal is an American legal comedy-drama series which aired on the Fox network from 1997 to 2002. The series was created by David E. Kelley, who also served as the executive producer, along with Bill D'Elia...
.
A live version of "Gimme Dat Ding" (3:38), performed at the Fremont Town Hall, appears on the album Shaggs' Own Thing by The Shaggs
The Shaggs
The Shaggs were an American all-female rock group formed in Fremont, New Hampshire in 1968. The band was composed of sisters Dorothy "Dot" Wiggin , Betty Wiggin , Helen Wiggin , and later Rachel Wiggin ....
(Dorothy, Helen, and Betty Wiggin).