Hooked on a Feeling
Encyclopedia
"Hooked on a Feeling" is a 1968 pop song written by Mark James
and originally performed by B. J. Thomas
. Featuring the sound of the electric sitar
, the song reached number five in 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
produced his own version, adding ooga chaka jungle chants similar to, but not exactly the same as, Johnny Preston
's "Running Bear
". King described it as "a reggae rhythm by male voices". His version reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart
in 1972.
In 1974, the Swedish pop group Blue Swede
with Björn Skifs as lead singer did a cover, which included their own version of King's "ooga chaka" introduction. Their version reached number one in the United States and was revived on the Reservoir Dogs soundtrack in 1992. This song was also used as the "Dancing Baby
" song in the Ally McBeal
TV show. Calle 13
quotes the "ooga chaka" refrain in their song "La Tribu", from their first (eponymous
) album.
In 1978, a cover by Canadian country music
artist Carroll Baker
peaked at number 1 on the RPM
Country Tracks chart.
This song was later covered by David Hasselhoff
with a music video featuring him flying in the air and fist pumping.
The band The Offspring
samples the Blue Swede's "ooga chaka" refrain in their song "Special Delivery", from their 2000's album Conspiracy of One
.
Mark James (songwriter)
Mark James is a songwriter, famous for writing hits for singers B.J. Thomas, Brenda Lee, and Elvis Presley, most notably Elvis' last US number one hit single, "Suspicious Minds."-History:...
and originally performed by B. J. Thomas
B. J. Thomas
Billy Joe "B. J." Thomas is an American popular singer known for his chart-topping hits in the 1960s and 1970s—appearing on the pop, adult contemporary, country and Hot 100 charts.-Career:...
. Featuring the sound of the electric sitar
Electric sitar
An electric sitar is a kind of electric guitar designed to mimic the sound of the traditional Indian instrument, the sitar. Depending on the manufacturer and model, these instruments bear varying degrees of resemblance to the traditional sitar...
, the song reached number five in 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
History
In 1971, Jonathan KingJonathan King
Jonathan King is an English singer, songwriter, impresario and record producer. He is also the author of three novels, Bible Two and The Booker Prize Winner , and Beware the Monkey Man , and an autobiography, 65 My Life So Far .King first came to prominence as an...
produced his own version, adding ooga chaka jungle chants similar to, but not exactly the same as, Johnny Preston
Johnny Preston
Johnny Preston was an American pop music singer, who was best known for his international number one hit in 1960, "Running Bear".-Life and career:...
's "Running Bear
Running Bear
"Running Bear" is a song written by J. P. Richardson sung most famously by Johnny Preston in 1959. Preston first sang the song in 1959 with background vocals by Richardson and George Jones, who do the Indian chanting of "UGO UGO" during the three verses, as well as the Indian war cries...
". King described it as "a reggae rhythm by male voices". His version reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1972.
In 1974, the Swedish pop group Blue Swede
Blue Swede
Blue Swede was a Swedish rock band from the early to mid 1970s, that succeeded with a few singles which were covers of other artists' material.-Career:...
with Björn Skifs as lead singer did a cover, which included their own version of King's "ooga chaka" introduction. Their version reached number one in the United States and was revived on the Reservoir Dogs soundtrack in 1992. This song was also used as the "Dancing Baby
Dancing baby
The "Dancing Baby," also called "Baby Cha-Cha," refers to an animated 3D model of a baby and 3D-rendered video animations of that baby dancing a sort of cha-cha style of dance for several seconds...
" song in the 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...
TV show. Calle 13
Calle 13 (band)
Calle 13 is a band formed by stepbrothers René Pérez Joglar , who calls himself Residente and Eduardo José Cabra Martínez , who calls himself Visitante Calle 13 is a band formed by stepbrothers René Pérez Joglar (born February 23, 1978 in Hato Rey, a subsection of San Juan, Puerto Rico), who calls...
quotes the "ooga chaka" refrain in their song "La Tribu", from their first (eponymous
Eponym
An eponym is the name of a person or thing, whether real or fictitious, after which a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or other item is named or thought to be named...
) album.
In 1978, a cover by Canadian country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Carroll Baker
Carroll Baker (singer)
Carroll Baker, CM , , is a Juno Award winning Canadian country music singer and songwriter.-Biography:Carroll Baker was born in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia...
peaked at number 1 on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Country Tracks chart.
This song was later covered by David Hasselhoff
David Hasselhoff
David Michael Hasselhoff is an American actor, singer, producer and businessman. He is best known for his lead roles as Michael Knight in the popular 1980s US series Knight Rider and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the series Baywatch...
with a music video featuring him flying in the air and fist pumping.
The band The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
samples the Blue Swede's "ooga chaka" refrain in their song "Special Delivery", from their 2000's album Conspiracy of One
Conspiracy of One
-Bonus tracks:-Album length:-Notes:* First pressings in Australia and UK had the track "Huck It" listed as track 14, later reprints have it unlisted as well as the original Mature audiences rating reduced to a PG rating in Australia....
.