Mooo! Explained

Mooo!
Cover:Doja Cat - Mooo!.png
Border:yes
Alt:A pink background with white spots scattered throughout the cover art, reminiscent of a cow's hide. The singer's name "Doja Cat" and the song title "Mooo!" feature at the center of the image, shown in black and in all-caps.
Artist:Doja Cat
Type:single
Album:Amala (Deluxe edition)
Released:August 31, 2018
Recorded:2018
Studio:Doja Cat's Bedroom (Los Angeles, California)[1]
Length:4:46
Label:
Prev Title:Candy
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Tia Tamera
Next Year:2019

"Mooo!" (often stylized in all caps as "MOOO!")[2] is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat. Originally self-published exclusively as a music video on August 10, 2018, it became a viral internet meme and amassed over 578 million views.[3] It was subsequently released as the lead single from the deluxe edition (and third overall) of her debut studio album Amala. The viral success of "Mooo!" is considered a major factor in Doja Cat's internet fame, ultimately "setting the tone for her career",[4] [5] despite being considered by Doja Cat herself as a "throwaway" and a "joke".[6]

Background and recording

Prior to the release of "Mooo!", Doja Cat had released her "moderately successful"[7] debut studio album, Amala, in March 2018.[8] She developed the song as an inside joke alongside her fans in early August 2018, not expecting it to go further than SoundCloud.[9] She told Dazed, "We started it on Instagram live, just me and 60 other people, and we all had fun coming up with puns and metaphors."[10] The song was inspired by Doja Cat's cow-print costume set which she wears throughout the song's music video.[11] She wrote and recorded the song in six hours, while in bed in the costume.[12] Doja Cat used a sample of Wes Montgomery's "Polka Dots and Moonbeams", which producer Troy NōKA had chopped and sent to her the night before.[13] [14] After making a beat with the sample and recording vocals in Logic Pro, she immediately began filming the song's music video from her bedroom. According to Doja Cat, she completed the song and its video within 12.5 hours of one day.[15] [16]

The song's music video gained over five million views in two weeks.[17] After the video's viral success an updated single was released.[18] [19]

Composition

"Mooo!" is "a rather simple, jazzy song about the important things in life: eating cheeseburgers, maybe doing some kissing, and generally not being in the mood to do anything else."[20] A novelty song, Doja Cat raps about being a cow, despite her name, and the pleasures of farm life in a pseudo-sexual way. The song contains a plethora of cows "mooing" (mainly COW – SINGLE MOO, ANIMAL 02 from Sound Ideas's The General Series 6000) background vocals over "swelling harmonies" and jazz guitar. The refrain goes "Bitch I'm a cow / Bitch I'm a cow / I'm not a cat / I don't say meow". The song features a lyrical reference to the nursery rhyme "Old MacDonald Had a Farm", while also referencing hip hop songs including Ludacris's "Move Bitch", Schoolboy Q's "Collard Greens", Chamillionaire's "Ridin'", Kelis's "Milkshake", Tear Da Club Up Thugs's "Slob on My Nob", and Wu Tang Clan's "C.R.E.A.M.".[21] [22]

Music video

To prepare for filming, Doja Cat hammered a green bed sheet to her bedroom wall to act as a green screen and inserted GIFs from Google into Photo Booth. The video for "Mooo!" features Doja Cat clad in cow-print pajamas with french fries in her nose and eating various fast food items.[23] She raps in front of a green screen which alternates between cartoonish GIFs of food, farms, and bouncing anime breasts,[24] as well as brief video samples from Cyriak's "cows & cows & cows". The video was filmed and edited by Doja Cat herself in the timespan of five hours maximum.[25] She said in an interview that the green screen was actually made of her childhood bedsheets, as she was "obsessed with green" as a kid.[13] The DIY video has been praised for its "lo-fi",[26] and "low budget"[27] nature. Sofia Mele of Billboard compared the video to that of John Mayer's "New Light" while describing it as a "meme-maker's paradise, charmingly kitschy in its use of green screen".[28]

The American animal rights organization PETA responded to the song's music video with a parody video told from the perspective of a cow that Kristin Corry of Vice described as "pretty damn rude".[29] Doja Cat responded to the parody, saying, "PETA can't say shit and they can suck it because I didn't actually hurt anybody. I didn't hurt any cows, dogs, cats, or frogs, or fucking ants. I'm not worth picking on." In addition to the parody, Doja Cat also responded to the negative criticism towards "Mooo!", tweeting: "I love that the majority of you guys are healthy and normal and then all of the people who don't like moo are taking their lives and a song I wrote about cows all too seriously, losing hair over it. I like to disappoint woke-hip-hop people."

Reception

Critical response

Susanna Heller from Insider described it as "the song of the summer", "a classic", and "a bop". Jordan Sargent of The Face wrote that the song "might seem silly, but at its core it's a tender and affecting piece of songwriting about perseverance and individuality".[30] Aaron Williams of Uproxx said the song was "silly and strange and alarmingly catchy, exactly the sort of thing calculated to go viral on social media" while praising the "bold, hilarious rhymes".[31] "Mooo!" was ranked at No. 2 on Paper's list of The 100 Best Songs of 2018.[32] Critics said the song was a great introduction to Doja Cat's catalog.[33] Reporting for Pitchfork about Doja Cat's rise to fame with a throwaway song after the "sleepy rollout" of Amala, Rawiya Kameir wrote "The sudden attention from 'MOOO!' gave [Doja Cat] an opportunity to remake her career in a way that suited her personality more, and the influx of followers meant leverage. Still, she acknowledges that there was a little smarting at getting so much attention for a throwaway, instead of an album that she'd worked hard on." Nitish Pahwa of Slate said the "throwaway song" was "perhaps her most mainstream claim to fame".[34]

Accolades

"Mooo!" was ranked in various critics' lists of the best songs and music videos of 2018.

PublicationAccoladeRank
BillboardThe 50 Best Music Videos of 201850[35]
DazedThe 20 Best Songs of 201820[36]
The 100 Best Songs of 201825[37]
NPR35[38]
Paper2
SlantThe 25 Best Singles of 201810[39]
SpinThe 101 Best Songs of 201816[40]
VibeThe 25 Hip Hop and R&B Music Videos of 201822[41]
VultureThe 10 Best Music Videos of 20188[42]

Credits and personnel

Recording and management

Personnel

Credits adapted from Hot Pink (Japan Version) liner notes.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Hot Pink (Japan Version). Kemosabe Records.
  2. Web site: MOOO! by Doja Cat – Spotify. Spotify. June 3, 2020.
  3. Web site: Doja Cat's New Song About A Cow Has Become A Huge Meme. Krishna. Rachael. August 13, 2018. BuzzFeed News. en. live. May 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190805121835/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krishrach/this-music-video-is-why-everyone-is-going-mooo-on-twitter. August 5, 2019.
  4. Web site: How Doja Cat's "Mooo!" Set The Tone For Her Career. Blair. Robert. February 26, 2020. HotNewHipHop. en. live. May 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200324063928/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/how-doja-cats-mooo-set-the-tone-for-her-career-news.104785.html. March 24, 2020.
  5. Web site: An Interview with "Mooo!" Maker Doja Cat, Rap's New Dairy Queen. Corry. Kristin. August 16, 2018. Vice. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191229191359/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/a3qqpb/doja-cat-interview-mooo-bitch-im-a-cow-video. December 29, 2019.
  6. Web site: Kameir. Rawiya. October 9, 2019. The Strange Evolution of Viral Music Stardom. October 13, 2020. Pitchfork.
  7. Web site: Doja Cat, you've been cancelled: how the novelty rapper became 2018's 'Milkshake Duck'. Bassett. Jordan. August 29, 2018. NME. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200521182007/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/doja-cat-youve-been-cancelled-how-the-novelty-rapper-became-2018s-milkshake-duck-2372178. May 21, 2020.
  8. Web site: She's About to Be Everywhere: Get to Know Doja Cat. Valentine. Claire. March 30, 2018. Paper. live. May 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191029161027/https://www.papermag.com/doja-cat-amala-2554866876.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1?rebelltitem=1. October 29, 2019.
  9. Web site: Doja Cat Explains How Her Viral Banger "Mooo!" Came Together. Skelton. Eric. August 14, 2018. Complex. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191103193629/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/08/doja-cat-on-the-viral-success-of-mooo. November 3, 2019. May 3, 2020.
  10. Web site: Speaking to Doja Cat, the IG Live auteur behind viral hit 'Mooo!'. Alemoru. Kemi. August 29, 2020. Dazed. dead. May 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200515165851/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/41139/1/bitch-i-m-a-creator-there-s-more-to-doja-cat-than-mooo. May 15, 2020.
  11. Web site: Viral internet star Doja Cat said her 'ridiculous' costume inspired her song 'Mooo'. Heller. Susanna. August 22, 2018. Insider. May 4, 2020.
  12. Web site: Doja Cat Explains Her Perfect Viral Hit 'MOOO!'. Silver. Jocelyn. August 14, 2018. Paper. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200104015939/https://www.papermag.com/doja-cat-mooo-interview-2595957169.html. January 4, 2020.
  13. Web site: Doja Cat explains how she made her viral hit "Mooo!". Pache. Juliana. August 14, 2018. The Fader. live. May 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200404075439/https://www.thefader.com/2018/08/14/doja-cat-interview-mooo-video-bitch-im-a-cow. April 4, 2020.
  14. Web site: Who Is Doja Cat?. Hughes. Aria. October 10, 2018. WWD. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20181030172912/https://wwd.com/eye/people/doja-cat-mooo-amala-1202894423/. October 30, 2018.
  15. Web site: Doja Cat Breaks Down "Mooo!" On Genius' Series 'Verified'. Fu. Eddie. August 23, 2018. Genius. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20180824111256/https://genius.com/a/doja-cat-breaks-down-mooo-on-genius-series-verified. August 24, 2018.
  16. Web site: Meet Doja Cat, the Artist Behind the Viral Cow Anthem "Mooo!". Gore. Sydney. August 15, 2018. Highsnobiety. May 4, 2020.
  17. News: Let Doja Cat's Viral Video Moooove You Into a Weekend Vibe. Thomas. R. Eric. August 24, 2018. Elle. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200225031006/https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a22826719/doja-cat-im-a-cow-viral-video/. February 25, 2020.
  18. Web site: Doja Cat Is Releasing a New Version of "Mooo!" on Spotify & More. Giulione. Bianca. August 28, 2018. Highsnobiety. May 4, 2020.
  19. Web site: Doja Cat will release an updated version of "Moo" on Spotify and iTunes. Hussein. Wandera. August 27, 2018. The Fader. en. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191028004042/http://www.thefader.com/2018/08/27/doja-cat-announces-new-moo. October 28, 2019.
  20. Web site: The Summer's Most Important Wind Down Is 'Mooo!' by Doja Cat. Harris. Hunter. Vulture. August 15, 2018. May 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200227202225/https://www.vulture.com/2018/08/mooo-by-doja-cat-song-music-video-summer-anthem.html. February 27, 2020. live.
  21. Web site: 'Bitch I'm a Cow' Is a Thing That Exists and the Internet Seems Really Happy About It. Mizoguchi. Karen. August 14, 2020. People. EN. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191201010737/https://people.com/music/bitch-im-a-cow-doja-cat-viral-song/. December 1, 2019.
  22. Web site: Stop what you're doing and listen to 'Mooo' — the song of the summer that's about a woman being a cow. Heller. Samantha. August 15, 2018. Insider. May 3, 2020.
  23. Web site: Doja Cat's "Mooo!" is 2018's Magnum Opus. Pace. Lilly. August 14, 2018. V Magazine. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20180814200152/https://vmagazine.com/article/doja-cat-released-mooo-and-v-have-some-feelings-about-it/. August 14, 2018.
  24. Web site: Doja Cat's Song About Being A Cow Has Gone Viral. Bryant. Taylor. August 14, 2018. Nylon. en. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200517214443/https://www.nylon.com/articles/doja-cat-moo-viral-memes. May 17, 2020.
  25. Web site: Doja Cat's "Mooo!" Video Was Made In "Five Hours Max" In Her Bedroom. Post. Chantilly. August 14, 2018. HotNewHipHop. en. May 12, 2020.
  26. Web site: Twitter Is Losing It Over Doja Cat's Wild "Mooo!" Video. Gore. Sydeny. August 14, 2018. Highsnobiety. en-US. May 4, 2020.
  27. Web site: you have to listen to doja cat's 'mooo!'. Sunnucks. Jack. August 14, 2018. i-D. en. May 4, 2020.
  28. Doja Cat's 'Mooo!' Video Is Chance the Rapper-Approved. Mele. Sofia. August 13, 2018. Billboard. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20180814115019/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8469948/doja-cat-mooo-video-chance-the-rapper. August 14, 2018.
  29. Web site: PETA's Diss Record for Doja Cat's "Mooo!" Sounds Like Pooo!. Corry. Kristin. August 21, 2018. Vice. en. May 4, 2020.
  30. Web site: Doja Cat: 'you need to be a bit of a comedian to be a rapper'. Sargent. Jordan. December 18, 2019. The Face. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200324063950/https://theface.com/music/doja-cat-los-angeles-rapper-youtube-volume-4-issue-002. March 24, 2020.
  31. Web site: Doja Cat's Jokey 'Mooo!' Video Belies A Truly Unique Hip-Hop Artist. Williams. Aaron. August 13, 2018. Uproxx. live. April 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200220053310/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-mooo-primer-viral-comedic-rap/. February 20, 2020.
  32. Web site: PAPER's Top 100 Songs of 2018. Love . Michael. December 21, 2020. Paper. May 6, 2020.
  33. Web site: Doja Cat's "Mooo!" is the extremely unlikely song of the summer. Kaseko. Baraka. August 14, 2018. The A.V. Club. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191122054455/https://music.avclub.com/doja-cats-mooo-is-the-extremely-unlikely-song-of-the-1828358504. November 22, 2019.
  34. Web site: This Song About Being a Cow Could Spawn the Next "In My Feelings" Challenge. Pahwa. Nitish. August 15, 2018. Slate Magazine. en. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200525100647/https://slate.com/culture/2018/08/doja-cats-cow-themed-rap-moo-is-viral-gold-video.html. May 25, 2020.
  35. 50 Best Music Videos of 2018: Billboard Staff Picks. December 26, 2018. Billboard. live. May 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200502213829/https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2018/8491545/best-music-videos-2018-top-50. May 2, 2020.
  36. Web site: The 20 best tracks of 2018. Cadogan. Dominic. December 10, 2018. Dazed. en. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190514020253/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/42515/1/best-songs-of-2018-christine-queens-ariana-grande-childish-gambino. May 14, 2019.
  37. Web site: The 100 best songs of 2018. Pache. Juliana. The Fader. en. live. May 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190218010646/https://www.thefader.com/2018/12/12/best-songs-2018-apple-music-spotify-playlist. February 18, 2019.
  38. Web site: The 100 Best Songs Of 2018 (40–21). Voynovskaya. Nastia. NPR. 5 December 2018 . en. live. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200423053031/https://www.npr.org/2018/12/05/671206337/the-100-best-songs-of-2018-page-4. April 23, 2020.
  39. Web site: The 25 Best Singles of 2018. Hoskins. Zachary. Slant. 10 December 2018 . en. May 4, 2020.
  40. Web site: 101 Best Songs of 2018. December 20, 2018. Spin. live. May 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190429035110/https://www.spin.com/featured/best-songs-2018/. April 29, 2019.
  41. Web site: 25 Best Hip-Hop and R&B Music Videos of 2018: List. Elibert. Mark. December 17, 2018. Vibe. en. May 3, 2020.
  42. Web site: The 10 Best Music Videos of 2018. Lockett. Dee. December 11, 2018. Vulture. en-us. live. May 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190530000850/https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/best-music-videos-2018.html. May 30, 2019.

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