'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

Toggler - 01.02.2010, 01:13
'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single
'Dum Dum Diddle' was released as an A-side single in Argentina in early 1977....has anyone ever seen the picture cover (assuming there was one) or even a physical copy?

Regards

Toggler

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

ABBA-Frid - 01.02.2010, 11:11

Hi, you can see a copy here http://www.abba4therecord.com/detail.php?recordID=1223

Lou

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

onlyabba4me - 01.02.2010, 17:15

'Dum Dum Diddle' is 'naff', & silly, but it was actually one of the
most played Songs off 'Arrival', in 1976/1977 - at least in the UK.
It would have been a big Hit as a Single, because it was catchy.
Many times, Singles that are silly - but catchy - are huge in the
UK, & elsewhere.

It just would not have been very good for ABBA's reputation, to
have such a Song as a Hit.

As regards 'Arrival', (Title Track) - that too would have been
huge. In the UK, it was used as the Theme to a TV Series, &
the BBC, & UK Press, heard from a great many people, saying
how lovely the Tune was, & where could they buy it - they were
told that it was on the 'Arrival' Album', by ABBA. (The trouble is,
that a lot of those people would not have been ABBA Fans, &
not willing to buy an entire Album, just for 1 Song).

It would have been the UK's first No.1 'Instrumental' since
1973, ('Eye Level' - The Simon Park Orchestra). It doesn't matter
if a lot of ABBA Fans may not have bought it - a great many people
who watched the TV Series wanted it to be a Single. A lot of them were
not even ABBA Fans! So, 2 audiences would have made it a UK No.1 Hit.
(And, it would be classed as an Instrumental, even with the harmonies in
it - because 'Telstar' by The Tornados, has harmonies in it too, & that is
regarded as an Instrumental No.1 - 1962).

Believe it or not - there has still not been a UK Instrumental No.1
since 1973......

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

ABBA-Frid - 01.02.2010, 18:07

Well I love Dum Dum Diddle :love4: ~ it is my most played track from Arrival :wink:

Lou

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

FrankLovesABBA - 01.02.2010, 18:19

well..I also love DUM DUM DIDDLE.....for it's friendly joyful melody.
I don't mind about a silly text in a song because my native language is not English so
I really don't realize what they are "really" singing......

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

ABBA-Frid - 01.02.2010, 18:35

ben5450 wrote: I love DDD even if I think there are better songs on Arrival, so for me DDD is just a good album title. I would agree with you there, yes, there are much better songs on Arrival; however, Dum Dum Diddle is still my most played track from this album simply because I just love listening to it, it always makes me feel happy :D

Lou

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

bosnian - 01.02.2010, 19:13

Thanks God it wasnt A single worldwide. One of the weakest ABBA songs ever and I dont like it at all. Even its catchy its still unnecessary on Arrival album. Better choice was Happy Hawaii.

Ivica

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

Anonymous - 01.02.2010, 20:50

fair comment onlyabba4me, but i'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree.
Money Money Money was a much better single.

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

Carribean - 01.02.2010, 21:54

Toni wrote: With slightly different lyrics and an other title this song wouldn't sound silly at all.

One wonders why they never recorded other lyrics because they did so when they were not too happy with Happy Hawaii.
I like the arrangement and the vocals a lot. It is a happy clappy song and indeed kinda silly so not the best choice for a single. That's Me, My Love My Life and When I Kissed The Teacher would have been better choices for a single release.

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

Carribean - 01.02.2010, 22:11

iancee wrote: Aside from the title there is nothing silly at all about the lyric. And even the title is no sillier than certified classics like Da Do Ron Ron.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that one... lol! :thumbup:

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

onlyabba4me - 01.02.2010, 23:23

But, 'Da Doo Ron Ron' is a Classic. As are other Songs, with silly
Titles - 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy' etc. Some people hate 'Sugar Sugar',
by The Archies. I think it is great.

I even love one called 'Bang-A-Boomerang', too! :D

As well as 'Dum Dum Diddle'.

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

Anonymous - 01.02.2010, 23:57

I rether like DDD, but only when listening to the whole Arrival album. It's a nice enough song, but compared to the out and out classics they were churning out at the time, it's a bit of a dud.

And as for the lyrics not being silly, even pushing the hideous title aside, it's about a woman wishing she was a violin! For me, it's up there with What About Livingstone in the 'Why On Earth Did They Write A Song About That' chart. I think it marks a bit of a throwback to Bjorn and Benny's very early lyric writing days, as the subject is just so inane. Also, the word 'fiddle' was archaic even in 1976.

If you look at the sequence of international hits Abba released in 1976/77, Dum Dum Diddle plainly does not belong.

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

Phil - 02.02.2010, 17:00

I for one totally love "dum dum diddle" :-)

it's a wonderful folk/pop track with superb joint vocal by Frida and Agnetha.

It could have been a hit ,when released on an A side single in most of European countries in 1977...

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

jomclane - 02.02.2010, 17:09

I think Dum Dum Diddle is simply brilliant. It would have been a great single. I prefer to it to "Thats Me" or Tiger. A pity theres no real video.

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

Fire&Ice - 02.02.2010, 17:53

I agree Con and Phil.

She was really brilliant in DDD in Abbadabbadoo that I found it unbelievable she did not like the song. :lol: They were both brilliant, one of their better live performances.

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

Fire&Ice - 02.02.2010, 18:02

DDD is a low key song, well most of the time I think so their voices just merged into one low voice which is impossible to separate?

Re: 'Dum Dum Diddle' - A-side single

bosnian - 02.02.2010, 18:43

Fire&Ice wrote: When Bjorn wrote the lyrics, EDIT: HE thought the others would not agree to them. But they had, and I actually love the song.

It could have been even better without DDD.. hehe! I have always thought that way.

On the other hand, maybe that's exactly what's so charming about it. :lol:

Frida did not like it.
Shes got a taste :wink:

Ivica