Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)

"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" is the second single released by De La Soul from their second album De La Soul Is Dead, in 1991. The song is a party jam about overzealous fans who pursue the group with demo tapes in their efforts to obtain an endorsement from the group. It 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).

"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
Length5:15
LabelTommy Boy
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Paul Huston
  • De La Soul
De La Soul singles chronology
"A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays""
(1991)		 "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)"
(1991)		 "Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa/Keepin' the Faith"
(1991)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" on YouTube

Composition

"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", in which "Act Like You Know" itself samples. 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

Justin Chadwick from Albumism described "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" as "undeniably irresistible", adding that the song is driven by "astute commentary", "unabashed sarcasm" and a "rousingly rhythmic groove". He called the chorus "memorable", and stated 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 noted that it "complains about being harassed into listening to lousy demo tapes."[2] Larry Flick from Billboard commented 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] Evening Herald stated that the single "shows that the trio still have the imagination to bring off the big one."[4]

Music video

A black-and-white music video was filmed for the song, directed by American director Mark Romanek, featuring the members of De La Soul and producer Prince Paul in a cameo as an artist trying to hand them his tapes.

Influence

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

Track listings

Official versions
  • "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

References
  1. Chadwick, Justin (10 May 2016). "De La Soul's 'De La Soul is Dead' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  2. Huey, Steve. "De La Soul – De La Soul Is Dead". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  3. Flick, Larry (18 May 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 87. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  4. Evening Herald. 26 April 1991. p. 42. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  5. "Australian-charts.com – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  6. "Austriancharts.at – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  7. "Ultratop.be – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  8. "Danishcharts.com – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Tracklisten. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  9. "Nederlandse Top 40 – De La Soul" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  10. "De La Soul: Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  11. "Lescharts.com – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  12. "Offiziellecharts.de – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  13. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  14. "Charts.nz – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  15. "Swedishcharts.com – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  16. "Swisscharts.com – De La Soul – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  17. "De La Soul: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  18. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 27 April 1991. p. 24. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  19. "De La Soul Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved September 8, 2008)
  21. 1991 Australian Singles Chart aria.com (Retrieved September 8, 2008)
  22. "Single top 100 over 1991" (pdf) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  23. "Eurochart Hot 100 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. 8 (51–52): 21. December 21, 1991. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via American Radio History.
  24. "End of Year Charts 1991". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  25. 1991 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved September 8, 2008)
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