| Calcutta (Taxi, Taxi, Taxi) | |
| Cover: | Dr. Bombay - Calcutta (Taxi, Taxi, Taxi).jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Dr. Bombay |
| Album: | Rice & Curry |
| B-Side: | Calcutta (Extended Version) |
| Released: | April 1998 |
| Genre: | Eurodance |
| Length: | 3:20 |
| Label: | WEA |
| Producer: |
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| Next Title: | S.O.S. (The Tiger Took My Family) |
| Next Year: | 1998 |
"Calcutta (Taxi, Taxi, Taxi)" is a song recorded by Swedish eurodance artist Dr. Bombay. It was released in 1998 as the lead single from his debut album, Rice & Curry. The song became Jakobsen's first major hit, topping the charts at number-one in Sweden and number 2 in Norway.[1] In Denmark, it peaked at number 12. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the single peaked at number 31 in October 1998. The song is sung from the perspective of Dr. Bombay, an eccentric Indian taxi driver who is employed by his uncle and, despite his impaired vision and lack of a license to operate, loves to drive his taxi. Music & Media noted the song as an "Asian-flavoured poppy dance tune (try imagining Aqua with an Indian singer)" in their review of the song.[2]
An accompanying music video for the song was produced in 1998. It shows Jakobsen clad in a kurta, pagri and dark glasses, driving the streets of Calcutta in an Austin FX4 as he collides with pedestrians and debris, steals the lunch of an unsuspecting restaurant customer, steals a newspaper in a similar manner and hangs outside his taxi window in roller skates as various engine parts are continuously breaking off from the car. Throughout the video, the action frequently cuts to a 180 degree pan of the taxi's interior, in which Jakobsen is superimposed with several instances of himself who can be seen making hand gestures, dancing, sleeping, hanging out the windows and interacting with each other.
Much of the video was filmed in Malaysia, as can be deduced from vehicle number plates on display throughout, and as well as a brief Batu Caves sightings on the background.
"Calcutta" was licensed for inclusion in the music game Beatmania IIDX 2nd Style.
| Peak position | |
| Denmark (IFPI)[7] | 12 |
|---|---|
| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[8] | 31 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[9] | 31 |
| Position | |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10] | 3 |
|---|---|