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Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)
| cover = Ring_ring_ring.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = De La Soul
| album = De La Soul Is Dead
| B-side = Afro Connection at Hi-5
| released =
| recorded = 1991
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Hip hop
| length =
| label = Tommy Boy
| writer =
| producer =
| prev_title = A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays"
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa/Keepin' the Faith
| next_year = 1991
| misc =
}}
"'Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)'" is a 1991 song by American hip hop trio De La Soul, released as the lead single from their second album, 'De La Soul Is Dead' (1991). It is a party jam about overzealous fans who pursue the group with demo tapes in their efforts to obtain an endorsement from the group. The song was inspired by one overzealous fan in particular, Breakestra frontman Miles Tackett, who was shopping demo tapes to the group (note "demo tapes by the miles" in the song's subtitle).
Composition
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" has been assumed to have sampled the 1982 Fat Larry's Band song "Act Like You Know", but in fact it samples the 1981 The Whatnauts song "Help Is on the Way", that replays the same bassline as "Act Like You Know". The chorus of "Ring Ring Ring" uses lyrics and melody from the Curiosity Killed the Cat song "Name and Number". The bass in the introduction comes from Lou Johnson's "Beat" and the drum break is from The Honey Drippers' "Impeach the President". The single version's saxophone is original.
Critical reception
Justin Chadwick from Albumism described "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" as "undeniably irresistible", adding that the song is driven by "astute commentary", "unabashed sarcasm" and a "rousingly rhythmic groove". He called the chorus "memorable", and stated that it is a "further testament to De La Soul and Prince Paul's uncanny penchant for merging obscure samples with more familiar fare to craft instantly unforgettable tunes that stick with you." Steve Huey from AllMusic noted that it "complains about being harassed into listening to lousy demo tapes." Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote that the rap trio "returns with a funk-driven workout that benefits from a cute and contagious chorusnot to mention group's signature clever wordplay." A reviewer from 'Evening Herald' stated that the single "shows that the trio still have the imagination to bring off the big one."'Evening Herald'. April 26, 1991. p. 42. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
Music video
A black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single, directed by American director Mark Romanek. It features the members of De La Soul and producer Prince Paul in a cameo as an artist trying to hand them his tapes.
Influence
* This song was interpolated on Jaheim's 2009 single, "Ain't Leavin Without You".
* The 2013 Little Mix single "How Ya Doin'?" uses the same lyrics which "Ring Ring Ring" uses.
All 3 songs use the same beat from "Help Is on the Way".
Track listings
* '12" maxi, Europe'
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (party line mix) (6:56)
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (extended decision U.S. mix) (5:15)
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (piles and piles of demo taped bi-da miles - Conley's decision) (4:05)
* '12" maxi, US'
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (extended decision) (5:15)
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (radio decision) (3:59)
# "Piles And Piles of demo Tapes Bi-Da Miles (Conley's Decision)" (4:05)
# "Afro Connection At A Hi 5 (In The Eyes Of The Hoodlum)" (3:42)
* '7" single'
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Party Line Edit) (4:05)
# "Ring Ring Ring (piles and piles of demo taped bi-da miles - Conley's decision) (4:05)
* 'CD maxi'
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (party line edit) (4:05)
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (party line mix) (6:56)
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (extended U.S. mix) (5:15)
# "Ring Ring Ring" (piles and piles of demo taped bi-da miles) (3:35)
* 'CD maxi / 12" maxi - Remixes'
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (CJ's alternative mix) (5:10)
# "Afro Connection At A Hi 5" (3:42)
# "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (sax mix) (5:10)
Official versions
* "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (LP Version) (5:06)
* "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Radio Decision) (3:59)
* "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (CJ's Alternative Mix) (5:10)
* "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Party Line Edit) (4:05)
* "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Party Line Mix) (6:56)
* "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Extended Decision U.S. Mix) / (Extended Decision Mix) / (Extended U.S. Mix) (5:15)
* "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Piles and Piles of Demo Taped Bi-Da Miles - Conley's Decision) (4:05)
* "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Sax Mix) (5:10)
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
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