One Hit Wonder: Baha Men (2000)

Who Let the Dogs Out
Single: Baha Men
Soundtrack: Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
Released: July 25, 2000
Genre: Soca, junkanoo, break, beat, calypso
Songwriter: Anslem Douglas

"Who Let the Dogs Out" by the Baha Men gained popularity after appearing in Rugrats in Paris: The Movie and on its soundtrack album. The song peaked on the UK Singles Chart at Number 2  and reached the Top 40 in the United States. 

It was voted the Favorite Song at the 2001 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, and Baha Men was the favorite band the following year. The track won the Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2001, and VH1 lists it as Number 6 of the 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders. 

Anslem Douglas

Two years before The Baha Men recorded "Who Let the Dogs Out," Anslem Douglas wrote and recorded it under the title "Doggie." Douglas says the lyrics are about disrespectful men who hit on women at a party. Various versions of the song were hits in the Caribbean. 

Music producer Steve Greenberg heard a version by Fat Jakk and his Pack of Pets in 1998. Greenberg had experience foisting catchy, unorthodox tunes on unsuspecting listeners. He was the executive producer of the 1997 Hanson hit "MMMbop." Steve convinced the Baha Men to record it. The group toned down the calypso rhythm to make it more appealing to American listeners. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rebel Rebel: David Bowie (1974)

The Goldcoast Singers: Plastic Jesus (1962)

Elton John: Two of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock & Roll