The Enunciation of Dionne Warwick's Backup Signers

September 10, 2008 5:11 PM

What are the background singers singing in this Dionne Warwick tune?

OK -- I've discovered this 40-something-year-old tune by Dionne Warwick: Are You There With Another Girl? I really like it (even if it is a bit stalky-ish), but for the life of me, I cannot make out what the ladies are singing in the background. You'll hear it first about 1:29 in the YouTube clip, and then again at the end of the song.

Sounds like "ooo poppa badio girl" which, you know, can't be right. Unless they're trying to mimic the tinny transistor radio in the rat fink's apartment.

Lyric sites aren't helping me out here. Anyone care to listen and enlighten me? It's driving me nuts.

posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

Here's a version with a lot less pop and hiss. So far I'm inclined to say that the background girls are ooo boppa dadda da daaa-ing.
posted by carsonb at 5:27 PM on September 10, 2008

Best answer: According to the Luther Vandross version, it's "oom-pah-pah pity the girl."
posted by rokusan at 6:28 PM on September 10, 2008

Response by poster: Although I don't think that makes sense in the Luther Vandross gender-reversed version (why would anyone pity the cheatin' girl, instead of Our Poor Singer?), now that I listen to it again, I think you're correct, rokusan. It could even be "oom papa pity the girl" (papa as in daddy).

Anyhoo, thanks to you both for taking a listen!
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 9:00 PM on September 10, 2008