David Seville, Witch Doctor | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 159^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Witch Doctor” by David Seville.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 159^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Witch Doctor” performed by David Seville.

“I told the witch doctor I was in love with you.” Oh, really? Hmm. In 1958, a great, novel song was born: “Witch Doctor” by David Seville. David Seville is the stage name of singer, songwriter, producer, and actor, Ross S. Bagdasarian (1919 – 1972).  Seville’s biggest claim to fame is creating the beloved Alvin and the Chipmunks.  The Chipmunks are renowned for their squeaky singing, notably in the novel, no. 1 Christmas song, “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)”.  “Witch Doctor” wouldn’t achieve the same success, but it’s still a gem.

The witch doctor that Seville references gives unique advice on the most fun part of the song, the chorus:

“Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang

Walla walla, bing bang

Ooo eee, oo ah ah ting ting

Walla walla, bing bang.”

Word.  The lyrics are playful and nonsensical.  That’s part of the charm.  In the second verse, Seville also consults with the witch doctor: “I told the witch doctor you didn’t love me true.” The advice given is the same in the chorus.  In the bridge, there is a change of pace, keeping things engaging: “You’ve been keeping love from me just like you were a miser / And I’ll admit, I wasn’t very smart / So, I went out and found myself a guy that’s so much wiser / And he taught me the way to win your heart.” Hmm… a witch doctor? “Ooh ee, ooh ah ah ting tang…” Sure… “Witch Doctor” is a novel song and should be taken with a grain of salt.  There is no need for deep analysis.  This silly classic is what it is.  Seville brings ample personality, particularly when the chipmunk voice comes in during the chorus, and the musical accompaniment is characteristic of the era (fiery rhythm section and articulated horns).

Various Artists // Alvin And The Chipmunks // Kidz Bop // 2007

David Seville, Witch Doctor: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 159 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Kidz Bop; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]