Zabadak! (song) explained

Zabadak!
Cover:Dave Dee Zabadak!.jpg
Caption:Cover of the single released in the Netherlands and Austria
Type:single
Artist:Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
Album:If No-One Sang
B-Side:The Sun Goes Down
Released:29 September 1967
Recorded:6 September 1967[1]
Studio:Chappell Studios, London
Genre:Psychedelic pop
Length:3:35
Label:Fontana
Producer:Steve Rowland
Prev Title:Okay!
Prev Year:1967
Next Title:The Legend of Xanadu
Next Year:1968

"Zabadak!" is a song by British musical group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, written by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley.[2] It was released as a single in September 1967, peaking at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the group's only single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 52. It was their fifth of seven to chart in Canada.

The song uses pseudo-African style percussion (created in the studio by the group) and a nonsense lyric in its repetitive chorus, to highlight the meaning of its two verses (sung in English). This use of an African motif was typical of the group's dabbling with other world styles of music, such as the Latin style of "Save Me" and the Greek style of "Bend It!"

The group also recorded a version of "Zabadak!" in Italian, which was released as a single there backed with an Italian-language version of "Save Me".[3] However, the single failed to chart. Both tracks were later included as bonus tracks on the 2003 CD release of If No-One Sang.[4]

Reception

Reviewing for New Musical Express, Derek Johnson described "Zabadak" as "loaded with appeal and yet completely different from anything they have previously waxed. The basic influences are a blend between Afro-Cuban and Peruvian Incan. Add to this a catchy and continually-repeated chorus, some very attractive counter-harmonies, a pulsing beat with throbbing conga drums, and a lush string section in the background – plus a haunting tune that nags at the brain – and you've got a Hit".[5] Billboard wrote that this "African flavored rhythm item has much of the feel of "Pata Pata".[6] In a guest column for Disc and Music Echo, Radio Caroline DJ Johnnie Walker praised "Zabadak!" as "a well-produced record and a different sound".[7]

Track listing

7": Fontana / TF 873

  1. "Zabadak!" – 3:35
  2. "The Sun Goes Down!" – 2:48

7": Star-Club / 148 595 STF (Germany)

  1. "Zabadak" – 3:35
  2. "Nose for Trouble" – 4:01

Charts

Weekly Charts

Chart (1967–68)Peak
position
Australia (Go-Set)[8] 32
Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] 43
Denmark (Danmarks Radio)[10] 19
Malaysia (Radio Malaysia)[11] 6
New Zealand (Listener)[12] 4
Rhodesia (Lyons Maid)[13] 4
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[14] 13
Sweden (Kvällstoppen)[15] 13
US Cash Box Top 100[16] 56

Year-end charts

Cover versions

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016-11-11. Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick, & Tich – September 1967. 2021-08-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20161111134506/http://davedeedozybeakymickandtich.nl/september-1967/. 11 November 2016.
  2. Web site: Zabadak! - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich | Song Info . . 2016-10-01.
  3. Web site: Zabadak! / Follemente Vivo (Save Me) . 8 October 2023 . 45cat.
  4. Web site: CD Album: Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich - If No-One Sang (2003) . 2023-10-08 . en.
  5. 7 October 1967. Another big hit for Dave Dee. New Musical Express. 8. 20 August 2021.
  6. 16 December 1967. Spotlight Singles. Billboard. 69. 20 August 2021.
  7. Walker . Johnnie . Hit Talk . Disc and Music Echo . November 25, 1967 . 3 . 25 February 2023.
  8. Web site: Go-Set Australian charts - 24 January 1968. 2021-08-20. gosetcharts.com.
  9. Book: Kent, David. Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. . 2005. 0-646-44439-5. Kent Music Report.
  10. Web site: 2016-08-02. danskehitlister.dk. 2021-08-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20160802140349/http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=2082. 2 August 2016.
  11. Hits of the World. Billboard. 39. 6 January 1968. 20 August 2021.
  12. Web site: flavour of new zealand - search listener. 2021-08-20. www.flavourofnz.co.nz.
  13. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: Singles Chart Book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  14. Web site: 2019-07-08. South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Acts (D). 2021-08-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20190708174229/http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(D).html. 8 July 2019.
  15. Web site: Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick And Tich – Se alla låtar och listplaceringar. 2021-08-20. NostalgiListan. sv.
  16. Web site: Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending February 3, 1968 . Cash Box magazine. 20 August 2021 .
  17. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles of 1968 - January 6, 1969.
  18. Web site: Horst Jankowski – And We Got Love (1967, Vinyl). Discogs. en. 2021-08-20.
  19. Web site: The Sorrows – Zabadak (1967, Vinyl). Discogs. en. 2021-08-20.
  20. Web site: Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts. 2021-08-20. www.offiziellecharts.de.
  21. Web site: Hung. Steffen. Saragossa Band - Zabadak. 2021-08-20. austriancharts.at.
  22. Web site: Franz Lambert – Pop-Orgel Hit-Parade 6 (1980, Vinyl). Discogs. en. 2021-08-20.
  23. Web site: Těžkej Pokondr - Ježek V Peci. 2021-08-20. Discogs. en.

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