Remember that tune from the 1970s that you just couldn’t shake off? The one with the distinctive “ooga chaka” chant? That’s “Hooked On A Feeling,” a song that became an earworm for millions, thanks in large part to that unforgettable vocal hook. While originally a late 60s track by B.J. Thomas, it was Blue Swede’s 1974 rendition, punctuated by the “ooga chaka” chorus, that catapulted the song to the top of the charts, reaching #1 and embedding itself in pop culture history. If you need a reminder of its infectious melody, take a listen here.
Admit it, it’s undeniably cheesy, isn’t it? Yet, once those “ooga chaka”s enter your ears, they set up camp in your brain for the rest of the day. You might find yourself humming it while tackling daily tasks – maybe while chopping vegetables, tending to houseplants, or even during your commute. Ooga chaka ooga ooga, ooga chaka ooga ooga, ooga chaka ooga ooga, ooga chaka ooga ooga… It’s a gift, or perhaps a playful curse, depending on how you look at it.
Earlier today, during my lunch break, I pulled into a Jimmy John’s parking lot. As I was searching for a parking spot, I noticed a couple waving in my direction. Initially, I chuckled to myself, thinking, “They must think I’m someone else.” But then it dawned on me – they actually recognized me! It was my former neighbors, the ones who lived next door back when I was a homeowner, married, and navigating a completely different chapter of life. We hadn’t been neighbors since 2006 and hadn’t crossed paths in years. So, I rolled down my window to say hello, and we engaged in some friendly catching up. Midway through our conversation, I realized my car stereo was playing my “Polyester is Groovy” 70s pop mix, and, you guessed it, the Blue Swede song was in full swing. I made a futile attempt to lower the volume, but it was too late. Our conversation unfolded something like this:
Ooga chaka ooga ooga Hey [Your Name], how are you doing? Ooga chaka ooga ooga I’m great, how about you guys? Ooga chaka ooga ooga We’re fine. Still working at [Company Name]. How about you? Ooga chaka ooga ooga That’s great! I have a new role as a content creator at payoffsong.com. Ooga chaka ooga ooga Terrific! Sounds like a great opportunity. Ooga chaka ooga ooga It is! How are things in the old neighborhood? Ooga chaka ooga ooga Still the same. The Millers got a new puppy. Ooga chaka ooga ooga
The whole scenario felt like a scene ripped straight from a Quentin Tarantino film. And, admittedly, it was a tad embarrassing. I consider myself to have reasonably good taste in music. Why couldn’t it have been a more “creditable” artist playing when I rolled down the window? Why, of all songs, did it have to be this undeniably catchy, yet somewhat ridiculous, mid-70s tune, complete with its nonsensical “ooga chaka” lyrics, courtesy of a Swedish band not named ABBA? In that brief 30-second encounter, I felt my carefully curated music reputation was slightly tarnished by that pseudo-reggae chant.
Oh, the musical shame!
Image alt text: Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” album cover, showcasing the artist in a confident pose, highlighting the disco era aesthetic.
However, there are songs that I will passionately defend, even when faced with dissenting opinions about my musical preferences. Take “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” by Rod Stewart. I genuinely believe it’s a disco masterpiece by a true music icon, brimming with self-assuredness and charisma. The synthesizer arrangement is undeniably infectious, and the lyrics are memorable. It’s simply a fantastic song! A former colleague, Adrian, held a different view. He walked past my workspace one day as the song played, stopped abruptly, and looked at me with utter disbelief. He then proceeded to deconstruct the song, accusing Rod Stewart of “selling out” by embracing disco, considering his blues-rock roots. But, let’s not forget, The Rolling Stones ventured into similar territory with tracks like “Emotional Rescue” and “Miss You.” And what about Paul McCartney’s “Goodnight Tonight”? You can’t really fault these artists for embracing a popular musical wave of the late 70s, just as you wouldn’t criticize a 1950s group for incorporating a “doo-wop” chorus. It’s a sign of the times, as they say. Don’t hate the artist; appreciate the musical landscape. Besides, regardless of Adrian’s opinion, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” is a brilliant track. And its four-week reign at #1 in 1979 speaks volumes.
Yet, defending Blue Swede’s “Hooked On A Feeling” is a slightly different challenge. “Hooked On A Feeling” itself is a relatively harmless piece of pop fluff, but the addition of those “ooga chaka” chants elevates it to a realm of musical absurdity. And yet, it resides on my playlist, suggesting a certain level of enjoyment, right?
Perhaps some musical pleasures are best left unexplained. The “Ooga Ooga Chaka Song” remains a testament to the power of a catchy hook, even if that hook is, well, “ooga chaka.”
