Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)

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B-side
  
Remix

Genre
  
Hip hop

Recorded
  
1991

Length
  
5:15

Released
  
May 27, 1991 (1991-05-27)

Format
  
CD single, CD maxi, 7" single, 12" single

"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" is the second single released by De La Soul from their second album De La Soul Is Dead, in 1991. The song is a party jam about overzealous fans who pursue the group with demo tapes in their efforts to obtain an endorsement from the group. It 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).

Contents

Composition

"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" is credited as sampling 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", which is sampled on "Act Like You Know". The song also includes a sample from "Pass the Peas" by The J.B.'s, written by J. Brown, C. Bobbit & J. Skarks. 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 comes from The Honey Drippers' "Impeach the President".

Music video

A black-and-white music video was filmed for the song, directed by Mark Romanek, featuring 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'?" similarly samples "Help Is on the Way" and "Impeach the President," and interpolates "Name and Number" in its chorus.

Track listings

12" maxi
  1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (party line mix) (6:56)
  2. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (extended decision U.S. mix) (5:15)
  3. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (piles and piles of demo taped bi-da miles - Conley's decision) (4:05)
  1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (extended decision) (5:15)
  2. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (radio decision) (3:59)
  3. "Piles And Piles of demo Tapes Bi-Da Miles (Conley's Decision)" (4:05)
  4. "Afro Connection At A Hi 5 (In The Eyes Of The Hoodlum)" (3:42)
7" single
  1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Party Line Edit) (4:05)
  2. "Ring Ring Ring (piles and piles of demo taped bi-da miles - Conley's decision) (4:05)
CD maxi
  1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (party line edit) (4:05)
  2. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (party line mix) (6:56)
  3. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (extended U.S. mix) (5:15)
  4. "Ring Ring Ring" (piles and piles of demo taped bi-da miles) (3:35)
CD maxi / 12" maxi - Remixes
  1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (CJ's alternative mix) (5:10)
  2. "Afro Connection At A Hi 5" (3:42)
  3. "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)

    • References

    Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA