Whoomp! (There It Is)
Encyclopedia
"Whoomp!" is a number two Billboard Hot 100
single by the Miami bass
group Tag Team.
The song sampled a beginning synthesizer line from the 1980 Italo-disco hit "I'm Ready" by Kano
. The chorus is almost the same as the song "Whoot, There It Is
" released by 95 South
a month earlier, however the verse lyrics are much different. Both songs charted on the Billboard chart at the same time, but "Whoot, There It Is" peaked at #11 and "Whoomp! (There It Is) peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart.
The hit song spent one week at #1 on the US R&B chart in 1993. It spent seven weeks at #2 in September through October, 1993 on the Billboard Hot 100
, but was kept out of the top slot by UB40
's "Can't Help Falling in Love
" and Mariah Carey
's "Dreamlover". The single is certified 4× Platinum in the US for sales of over 4,000,000 copies and, despite never reaching number one on the pop chart, was the second top song of 1993, behind Whitney Houston
's "I Will Always Love You
".
"Whoomp! (There It Is)" was commonly used at sporting events, particularly basketball. It was the theme song for the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season
and was featured prominently during the 1993 World Series
. Between innings at one game, Tag Team performed the song on the field, with special lyrics related to the Phillies. A young Rob Capellupo appears in the video with black teeth. When Steve Yzerman
of the Detroit Red Wings
goal beat the St. Louis Blues in the 1996 Western Conference Semifinals, the song was played with fans yelling out the "WHOOMP!" part. The song would later be included on 1995's Jock Jams, Volume 1.
"Whoomp! (There It Is)" was rated #97 in VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonder
s. The song listed at #58 on "Billboard's Greatest Songs of all time". On September 11, 2010 Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio
ranked the song at #65 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever, stating from their "1993 journal": "It's clear this is just the start for Tag Team. Also, handheld computing is here!"
In 2010, the song became the subject of media scrutiny when Gawker posted an item asking whether President Barack Obama
appears as an extra in the song's video. A similarity was noted between Obama, who was 31 and working as an attorney in Chicago at the time the video was shot, and an Atlanta-hired extra who appears at the 1:01 mark in the clip. However, no one involved in the making of the video was able to remember the extra's name. The Gawker writer came to the conclusion that it was not Obama. Likewise, Politifact rated the claim that Obama was in the video as "Pants on Fire".
ran commercials parodying the song, changing the lyric to "Swoops! There it is". A 2011 commercial for Luvs
diapers features animated infants dancing to "Poop! There it is". Additionally, a 2011 AT&T
commercial for the iPhone 4
features two men on a phone call debating the year of the song's release; this article's infobox is shown on the phone's screen toward the end of the commercial. And
it was also referenced on the NBC show, Parks And Recreation as the song Ben played at his swearing in when he was elected mayor when he was 18.
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...
single by the Miami bass
Miami bass
Miami bass , is a type of hip hop music, that became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Its roots are directly linked to the Electro-funk sound of the early 1980s, pioneered by Afrika Bambataa & The Soulsonic Force and later on by UK-based musician Paul Hardcastle...
group Tag Team.
The song sampled a beginning synthesizer line from the 1980 Italo-disco hit "I'm Ready" by Kano
Kano (band)
Kano was a post-disco music project formed in 1979 by Italian-based producers/musicians Luciano Ninzatti, Stefano Pulga and Matteo Bonsanto. Kano was the first group to usher in a new style of dance music called Italo-Disco.-History:...
. The chorus is almost the same as the song "Whoot, There It Is
Whoot, There It Is
"Whoot, There It Is" was the lead single released from 95 South's debut album, Quad City Knock. It was produced and written by C.C. Lemonhead and Jay Ski , the production duo who were responsible for several other popular Miami bass acts including the 69 Boyz, Quad City DJs and Dis-n-Dat.The song...
" released by 95 South
95 South
95 South was a Miami bass duo of AB and Daddy Black from Jacksonville, Florida. The group's name is a reference to Interstate 95, which passes through the city. Their biggest success was the 1993 hit "Whoot, There It Is" from their debut album Quad City Knock, which reached #11 on the Billboard...
a month earlier, however the verse lyrics are much different. Both songs charted on the Billboard chart at the same time, but "Whoot, There It Is" peaked at #11 and "Whoomp! (There It Is) peaked at #2 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...
chart.
The hit song spent one week at #1 on the US R&B chart in 1993. It spent seven weeks at #2 in September through October, 1993 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...
, but was kept out of the top slot by UB40
UB40
UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.Their hit singles...
's "Can't Help Falling in Love
Can't Help Falling in Love
"Can't Help Falling in Love" is a pop song originally recorded by American singer Elvis Presley and published by Gladys Music, Elvis Presley's publishing company. It was written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss. The melody was based on "Plaisir d'Amour" but with a different...
" and Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
's "Dreamlover". The single is certified 4× Platinum in the US for sales of over 4,000,000 copies and, despite never reaching number one on the pop chart, was the second top song of 1993, behind Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
's "I Will Always Love You
I Will Always Love You
"I Will Always Love You" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1973, who first released the song as a single in 1974.-Dolly Parton version:...
".
"Whoomp! (There It Is)" was commonly used at sporting events, particularly basketball. It was the theme song for the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season
1993 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in...
and was featured prominently during the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
. Between innings at one game, Tag Team performed the song on the field, with special lyrics related to the Phillies. A young Rob Capellupo appears in the video with black teeth. When Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman
Stephen Gregory "Steve" Yzerman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League...
of the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
goal beat the St. Louis Blues in the 1996 Western Conference Semifinals, the song was played with fans yelling out the "WHOOMP!" part. The song would later be included on 1995's Jock Jams, Volume 1.
"Whoomp! (There It Is)" was rated #97 in VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonder
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:...
s. The song listed at #58 on "Billboard's Greatest Songs of all time". On September 11, 2010 Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio
AOL Radio
AOL Radio powered by Slacker, , is an online radio service available only in the United States.- Roots :...
ranked the song at #65 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever, stating from their "1993 journal": "It's clear this is just the start for Tag Team. Also, handheld computing is here!"
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1993) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 2 |
| End of year chart (1994) | Position |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 42 |
End of decade charts
| Chart (1990–1999) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 44 |
Video
The video for the song features a large outdoor party. It was filmed at an Atlanta fairground. Extras were recruited by word-of-mouth and also by an announcement on a local radio station. More than a thousand extras showed up for the shoot.In 2010, the song became the subject of media scrutiny when Gawker posted an item asking whether President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
appears as an extra in the song's video. A similarity was noted between Obama, who was 31 and working as an attorney in Chicago at the time the video was shot, and an Atlanta-hired extra who appears at the 1:01 mark in the clip. However, no one involved in the making of the video was able to remember the extra's name. The Gawker writer came to the conclusion that it was not Obama. Likewise, Politifact rated the claim that Obama was in the video as "Pants on Fire".
Alternate, cover and remix versions
- Within a year of the release of Whoomp! (There It Is), Tag Team re-mixed the backing music with a version of the theme song from the original Addams FamilyThe Addams Family (TV series)The Addams Family is an American television series based on the characters in Charles Addams' New Yorker cartoons. The 30-minute series was shot in black-and-white and aired for two seasons in 64 installments on ABC from September 18, 1964, to April 8, 1966...
television series to create the song Addams Family (Whoomp!) for the film Addams Family ValuesAddams Family ValuesAddams Family Values is a 1993 sequel to the 1991 comedy The Addams Family. The film was written by Paul Rudnick and directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, and many cast members from the original returned for the sequel, including Raúl Juliá, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd, and Christina Ricci...
. Actors Christina RicciChristina RicciChristina Ricci is an American actress. Ricci received initial recognition and praise as a child star for her performance as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values , and her role as Kat Harvey in Casper...
and Jimmy Workman reprised their film roles as Wednesday AddamsWednesday AddamsWednesday Friday Addams is a member of the fictional Addams Family, created by cartoonist Charles Addams for The New Yorker.-Wednesday:In Charles Addams's cartoons, Wednesday and other members of the family had no names...
and Pugsley AddamsPugsley AddamsPugsley Addams is a member of the fictional Addams family, created by cartoonist Charles Addams.Pugsley is the oldest child of Morticia and Gomez Addams. He is a pre-teen boy who is almost always seen wearing a striped T-shirt and shorts...
(respectively) for the song's music video. Addams Family (Whoomp!) won the 1994 Razzie Award (Worst Original Song) for its writers (Ralph SallRalph SallRalph Sall is a record producer, music supervisor, composer, songwriter, and screenwriter. He is the president of Bulletproof Entertainment, a company involved in several facets of the entertainment industry, including film, television, comic books and graphic novels, music, internet and live...
, Stephen Gibson and Cecil Glenn). - In 19941995-96 NBA seasonThe 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season of the National Basketball Association , although the league didn't celebrate this anniversary until the following season...
, when the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
won their first NBA Championship, Tag Team re-mixed their song yet again. This was titled Hoop! (There It Is). It was released on a CD honoring the team by Houston radio station 97.9 The Box and Mobile One. - In 1995, Tag Team made an alternate version of the song called Whoomp! (There It Went) together with several Disney characters. It is basically the same song, but with several lyrics altered to depict Donald DuckDonald DuckDonald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie. Donald is most...
's party in this version rather than a generic one in the original. - British dance band ClockClock (dance act)Clock was a British band primarily led by Stu Allan and Pete Pritchard. They started as a house act, then turned to eurodance and eventually ended up as a disco act. In 1994, they hailed themselves as the British "2 Unlimited" when they recruited rapper Marcus Thomas , and vocalist Lorna Saunders ...
released a coverCover versionIn 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 the track in July 1995, with the slightly altered title of "Whoomph! (There It Is)". - The song was again covered in 2005 by Crazy FrogCrazy FrogCrazy Frog, originally known as Adam King, is a computer-animated character created in 2003 by Erik Wernquist. Marketed by the ringtone provider Jamba!, the animation was originally created to accompany a sound effect produced by Daniel Malmedahl in 1997 while attempting to imitate the sound of a...
for the album Crazy Frog Presents Crazy HitsCrazy Frog Presents Crazy HitsCrazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits is an album by the Crazy Frog, released on July 25, 2005. It is a collection of songs mixed with the Crazy Frog ringtone, including "Axel F" and "Popcorn"....
. - Another version, "Poof! There He Is", was used for The Fairly OddParentsThe Fairly OddParentsThe Fairly OddParents is an American-Canadian animated television series created by Butch Hartman about the adventures of Timmy Turner, who is granted fairy godparents named Cosmo and Wanda. The series started out as cartoon segments that ran from September 4, 1998 to March 23, 2001 on Oh Yeah!...
special Fairly OddBabyFairly OddBabyFairly OddBaby is a 2008 television film and season premiere of The Fairly OddParents’ sixth season, which first aired on February 18, 2008. The episode was the first to air after a one-year hiatus...
.
Cultural references
The song has been features in many facets of popular culture since its release. A commercial for chocolate potato chip brand SwoopsSwoops
Swoops were a Pringle shaped chocolate candy manufactured by The Hershey Company. They were found in the following flavors: Hershey's Milk Chocolate, Reese's Peanut Butter, Almond Joy, York Peppermint Pattie, White Chocolate Reeses, and Toffee and Almond...
ran commercials parodying the song, changing the lyric to "Swoops! There it is". A 2011 commercial for Luvs
Luvs
Luvs is a brand of disposable diapers made by Procter & Gamble. It was sold as a "deluxe" brand in the late 1980s. Since 1994 it's sold as a budget brand. The brand also has baby wipes.-Diaper sizes:...
diapers features animated infants dancing to "Poop! There it is". Additionally, a 2011 AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
commercial for the iPhone 4
IPhone 4
The iPhone 4 is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fourth generation iPhone, and successor to the iPhone 3GS. It is particularly marketed for video calling , consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games, and for general web and e-mail...
features two men on a phone call debating the year of the song's release; this article's infobox is shown on the phone's screen toward the end of the commercial. And
it was also referenced on the NBC show, Parks And Recreation as the song Ben played at his swearing in when he was elected mayor when he was 18.