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Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)

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"Ring Ring Ring" redirects here. For other uses, see Ring Ring Ring (disambiguation).
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)"
Single by De La Soul
from the album De La Soul Is Dead
B-side"Afro Connection at Hi-5"
ReleasedMay 27, 1991 (1991-05-27)
Recorded1991
GenreHip hop
Length
  • 5:15 (album version)
  • 4:08 (single version)
LabelTommy Boy
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Paul Huston
  • De La Soul
De La Soul singles chronology
"Tread Water"
(1990) 		"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)"
(1991) 		"A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays""
(1991)
Music video
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" on YouTube

"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.

Composition

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"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.

Critical reception

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In a 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]

Music video

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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.

Influence

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All 3 songs use the same beat from "Help Is on the Way".

Track listings

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Official versions

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  • "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (LP Version) (5:06)
  • "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Radio Decision) (3:59)
  • "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (CJ's Alternative Mix) (5:10)
  • "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Party Line Edit) (4:05)
  • "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Party Line Mix) (6:56)
  • "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Extended Decision U.S. Mix) / (Extended Decision Mix) / (Extended U.S. Mix) (5:15)
  • "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Piles and Piles of Demo Taped Bi-Da Miles - Conley's Decision) (4:05)
  • "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Sax Mix) (5:10)

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Gold 35,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[36] Gold 5,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Chadwick, Justin (May 10, 2016). "De La Soul's 'De La Soul is Dead' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  2. ^ Huey, Steve. "De La Soul – De La Soul Is Dead". AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  3. ^ Flick, Larry (May 18, 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 87. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  4. ^ Evening Herald. April 26, 1991. p. 42.
  5. ^ True, Everett (April 13, 1991). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "New Releases: Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. May 18, 1991. p. 12. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  7. ^ "Cool Cuts". Record Mirror. April 6, 1991. p. 34. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  8. ^ Sawyer, Miranda (April 17, 1991). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. p. 43. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  9. ^ Mack, Bob (May 1991). "Singles". Spin. p. 77. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  12. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  13. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  14. ^ "De La Soul: Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  15. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  16. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  17. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 36. September 7, 1991. p. 23. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  19. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 4, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "De La Soul".
  20. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 22, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  21. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  22. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  23. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  24. ^ "De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  25. ^ "De La Soul: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  26. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. April 27, 1991. p. 24. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  27. ^ "De La Soul Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  28. ^ 1991 Australian Singles Chart aria.com (Retrieved September 8, 2008)
  29. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 21. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via American Radio History.
  30. ^ "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 20. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  31. ^ "Single top 100 over 1991" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1991". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  33. ^ "End of Year Charts 1991". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  34. ^ 1991 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved September 8, 2008)
  35. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1991 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  36. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
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