Part 144: Mambo #5

RECORD STORE TALES Part 144:  Mambo #5

Ahh, December.  Christmas!  Traditionally, it’s a time when people used to come in, by the masses, looking for whatever that season’s one hit wonder was.  I was just thinking today about this goof that’s out right now, this Psy person.  I was thinking about how people are probably buying his song like there’s no tomorrow this season.  Then in the new year, when his 15 minutes are up, he’ll be in every bargain bin across the nation.

A similar thing happened in 1999.  You might remember a one hit flash in the pan called Lou Bega.  A little number called “Mambo #5”.

I had the unfortunate experience of having to hear his album over and over that season. Y’see, it’s not just the general public that was going for that one hit wonder crap, there were also a couple record store people too.  (For shame!)  I won’t say who subjected us to this album, numerous times, but she knows who she is.

It’s because of her that I know there’s also another song on Lou Bega’s album called “1+2=2”, which is basically the exact same song as “Mambo #5”, just with different words.

As is always the case, in the new year, we couldn’t give that sucker away.  As it sat collecting dust on our shelves, one of our customers put it succinctly:

“Lou Bega?  Huh huh huh…more like Lou Beggin’ for Change!”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Happy holidays!

17 comments

  1. Yes! Remember Jimmy Ray? The Macarena? Who Let The Dogs Out? Hell, even Ice, Ice Baby! Man, this stuff happens all the time. So listen, if you wanna make a whole buncha money, buy up all of these used-to-be-huge singles from bargain bins and listen to them very closely. Note the similarities, note what they’re doing to make the damn things so catchy. Get somebody who understands the theory of music and its construction to help you. Then write your own, make it topical to today, make your billion, and take us all to Hawaii to retire!

    I remember working in an office in Montreal, and every time Mambo #5 came on the radio, one co-worker of mine used to get up and dance around the office for the whole song, each time it came on. And radio was playing that crap A LOT, at the time. Dude was getting a workout, that’s for sure.

    So yeah, LeBrain, get on that single-writing project and help us all retire while we’re all still young and sexy!

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    1. Jimmy Ray…fuck…who WAS that? I remember, vaguely. Also, let’s not forget “How Bizarre” by whoever.

      But regarding your idea, about the similarities? Already done man. These guys already did it.

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        1. That was great. All true…you can break down most of modern music to a few common denominators. That’s why my sister started playing experimental music.

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      1. Yeah, and don’t forget to include how we’re:

        1) out on the town toniiiiight,
        2) we’re gonna kick the ass of anybody who gets in our way
        3) we’re vagabonds, no one understands us
        4) we’ve seen it all and we’re still here to tell the tale

        then go back to the titties and beer for the chorus.

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        6. Oh. Yeah. That would be why. I didn’t even click on that video, man. Just saw who it was. Need to keep this space clean, now what I mean?

          Well, f**k them, man. We don’t have to be like them. We could write our own awesome songs that don’t suck.

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        8. Classic. Now we just need about 15 more!

          Which reminds me. I think it’s about time Lebrain was on the radio again, don’t you? Ain’t it about time to ressurect the Four Play?

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