| Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) | |
| Cover: | Ring_ring_ring.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | De La Soul |
| Album: | De La Soul Is Dead |
| B-Side: | Afro Connection at Hi-5 |
| Recorded: | 1991 |
| Genre: | Hip hop |
| Label: | Tommy Boy |
| Prev Title: | Tread Water |
| Prev Year: | 1990 |
| Next Title: | A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays" |
| Next Year: | 1991 |
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" is a song by American hip hop trio De La Soul, released in May 1991 by Tommy Boy Records 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). It was very successful on the charts in Europe, reaching number one in Finland, Greece and Switzerland, as well as on the UK Dance chart. Additionally, the song was a top-10 hit also in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK. Its music video was directed by Mark Romanek.
"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.
In an retrospective review, Justin Chadwick from Albumism described "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" as "undeniably irresistible", noting that the song is driven by "astute commentary", "unabashed sarcasm" and a "rousingly rhythmic groove". He complimented the chorus as "memorable", stating 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."[1] Steve Huey from AllMusic remarked that it "complains about being harassed into listening to lousy demo tapes."[2]
Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard felt that the rap trio "returns with a funk-driven workout that benefits from a cute and contagious chorus—not to mention group's signature clever wordplay."[3] Irish Evening Herald stated that the single "shows that the trio still have the imagination to bring off the big one."[4] Everett True from Melody Maker named it Single of the Week, writing, "So De La Soul are back — tear up that ticker-tape, roll out them barrels, find yourself a megaphone and prepare to storm the barricades. It's an occasion, understand? A happening. A joyous event to be broadcast from each and every window, as and when you find them."[5] Pan-European magazine Music & Media named it one of two "best tracks" of De La Soul Is Dead.[6] Record Mirror said, "Using, of all things, a Curiosity Killed The Cat song for its chorus. Chunky and funky."[7] Miranda Sawyer from Smash Hits gave "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" six out of ten, adding, "It sounds most pleasant and as usual is chirruped along by an effortless groove and wiggy lyrics, but, well, it's not in the same league as "Eye Know" or "Mama Gave Birth" because there's not enough twiddly bits and that's always a mistake in a rap record."[8] Bob Mack from Spin stated that "the music and delivery are fresh as ever. But the subject matter—a gripe about would-be rappers bugging De La to get their demos signed—seems out of place and a smidge arrogant."[9]
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.
All 3 songs use the same beat from "Help Is on the Way".
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Greece (IFPI)[10] | 1 |
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[11] | 11 |
| UK Dance (Music Week)[12] | 1 |
| Chart (1991) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[13] | 37 | |
| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[14] | 31 | |
| Europe (European Hit Radio)[15] | 80 | |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] | 29 | |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] | 29 | |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] | 17 | |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] | 10 |