"Do Wah Diddy Diddy" is a song written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and originally recorded in 1963, as "Do-Wah-Diddy", by the American vocal group the Exciters. Cash Box described the Exciters' version as "a sparkling rocker that bubbles over with coin-catching enthusiasm" and said that the "great lead job is backed by a fabulous instrumental arrangement."[3] It was made internationally famous by the British band Manfred Mann. Manfred Mann version[edit]It was soon covered by British R&B, beat and pop band Manfred Mann.[4] Manfred Mann's version was released on 10 July 1964.[5] It spent two weeks at No. 1 of the UK Singles Chart in August[6] and two weeks at No. 1 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in October.[7] Billboard said it "features powerful beat with Mann's solo echoed by male chorus."[8] Cash Box described it as "a thumpin' novelty rocker that's right up the teeners' alley."[9] Chart history[edit]Fun Factory version[edit]
In 1995, Fun Factory released a cover version of the song. Only a few lines of lyrics were retained, and supplemented by rap passages. It reached the top 10 in Germany and Spain and No.11 in Austria. Track listings[edit]CD-Maxi
Charts[edit]
Year-end charts[edit]
Other cover versions[edit]The song has been covered many times, notably by DJ Ötzi whose version titled "Do Wah Diddy" peaked at No.9 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40, as well as charting in Germany, Switzerland, the UK and Ireland. A French cover version, "Vous les copains, je ne vous oublierai jamais", by Sheila (singer) became a big hit in France in 1964 In popular culture[edit]The song was featured in the 1981 film Stripes, used as a marching cadence by characters played by Bill Murray and Harold Ramis in boot camp. This usage inspired real-life Army units to use it as a marching song.[27] See also[edit]
References[edit]
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