You know that song
February 16, 2008 9:05 AM Subscribe
What's the name of that song that is typically associated with the circus?
The lyrics are da da dada dada da da da da da da dadadada...whatever. Here's a link.
The lyrics are da da dada dada da da da da da da dadadada...whatever. Here's a link.
Fascinating.
I just asked 7 friends (we're making lunch) what song enters their minds when I say "Circus" and each one hummed that same tune, even though nobody knew its official title.
Is this an American thing?
Caused by cartoons?
Ingrained circus genes?
Some grad student yet unborn will write a best-seller on this...
posted by Dizzy at 9:16 AM on February 16, 2008
I just asked 7 friends (we're making lunch) what song enters their minds when I say "Circus" and each one hummed that same tune, even though nobody knew its official title.
Is this an American thing?
Caused by cartoons?
Ingrained circus genes?
Some grad student yet unborn will write a best-seller on this...
posted by Dizzy at 9:16 AM on February 16, 2008
Ok, we all knew the song (I immediately hummed it). Now, *why* is it the song associated with the circus-- where did that start?
posted by nax at 9:24 AM on February 16, 2008
posted by nax at 9:24 AM on February 16, 2008
Popularized by its use in such hit songs as Leo Sayer's The Show Must Go On (as recorded by Three Dog Night), and Sideshow by Blue Magic -- anytime someone wants to evoke a carnival atmosphere.
The Simpsons episode "Marge on the Lam" features an extended performance by Homer.
And there was the old Radio Shack Color Computer game cartridge "Clowns and Balloons."
So you can see how the tune has completely infiltrated pop culture.
posted by evilcolonel at 9:25 AM on February 16, 2008
The Simpsons episode "Marge on the Lam" features an extended performance by Homer.
And there was the old Radio Shack Color Computer game cartridge "Clowns and Balloons."
So you can see how the tune has completely infiltrated pop culture.
posted by evilcolonel at 9:25 AM on February 16, 2008
All true and all very apt, evil-c, but I'm (unabashedly and without any facts) betting that the reference goes back many years pre-Simpsons and computer cartridges...
posted by Dizzy at 9:43 AM on February 16, 2008
posted by Dizzy at 9:43 AM on February 16, 2008
As a slight derail, Aston Villa Football Club used to take the field to that tune. I suspect that, many years ago, someone at the club found a record bearing the label "Entrance of the Gladiators" and thought, wow! This'll be a great tune for the team to walk out to, it'll put the fear of God into the other team, without realising that it was, yes, The Clown Song.
But maybe they won that week, and somehow it stuck and became a tradition at Villa Park for many years. Until Aston Villa did, in fact, become a team of clowns and it was dropped.
/bottomless pit of useless information
posted by essexjan at 10:01 AM on February 16, 2008
But maybe they won that week, and somehow it stuck and became a tradition at Villa Park for many years. Until Aston Villa did, in fact, become a team of clowns and it was dropped.
/bottomless pit of useless information
posted by essexjan at 10:01 AM on February 16, 2008
This says that sometime after 1910, it started to be used as a 'screamer march' for circuses. And also mentions the much later references by Leo Sayer and Three Dog Night.
posted by marsha56 at 10:33 AM on February 16, 2008
posted by marsha56 at 10:33 AM on February 16, 2008
It gets played a lot at gymnastic events and swim meets too
posted by A189Nut at 2:09 PM on February 16, 2008
posted by A189Nut at 2:09 PM on February 16, 2008
Don't forget the ballet!
posted by avocet at 3:45 PM on February 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by avocet at 3:45 PM on February 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by adamrice at 9:06 AM on February 16, 2008