Blue (Da Ba Dee)

"Blue (Da Ba Dee)"
Single by Eiffel 65
from the album Europop
B-side	Remix
Released	15 January 1999
Format	CD MCD
Recorded	1998
Genre	Eurodance[1]
Length	3:30 (radio edit) 4:46 (extended mix) 3:40 (video version)
Label	BlissCo
Writer(s)	Jeffrey Jey Maurizio Lobina Massimo Gabutti
Producer(s)	Maurizio Lobina Massimo Gabutti Luciano Zucchet
Certification	See certifications
Eiffel 65 singles chronology
"Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (1999) "Move Your Body" (1999)

"Blue (Da Ba Dee)" is a hit song by the Italian music group Eiffel 65. It was released on 15 January 1999 as the lead single from their debut album Europop. The song is the group's most popular single, reaching number one in many countries such as Ireland, the United Kingdom,^[2] the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Finland, Norway, Australia, and Germany, as well as reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.^[3] In the United Kingdom, the song originally entered the top 40 purely on import sales. It was only the third single to do this.^[4] The song also received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Recording at the 2001 Grammy Awards.^[5]

Writing and production

"Blue", written by Eiffel 65 lead singer Jeffrey Jey, keyboardist Maurizio Lobina, and producer Massimo Gabutti, was inspired by group member Maurizio Lobina's composed opening piano hook. The producers of the song then came up with the idea for a dance song. Jey stated that his inspiration for the lyrics was how a person picked his lifestyle. The colour blue as the main topic of the song was picked at random, with Lobina telling him to write nonsensical lyrics.^[6] Lobina came up with the "da ba dee" hook at the end of this line.^[7]

Lyrics and composition

	Eiffel 65 – "Blue (Da Ba Dee)", 1999 A 29-second sample from "Blue (Da Ba Dee)", featuring the distorted hook of the song.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Blue (Da Ba Dee)" is written in the key of G minor, with the vocal range spanning from C₄ to E♭₅,^[8] and is set in common time with a moderate tempo of 128 beats per minute.^[9]

The song's lyrics tell a story about a man who lives in a "blue world". It is also stated he is "blue inside and outside," which, along with the lyric "himself and everybody around 'cause he ain't got nobody to listen", may indicate that the term blue represents his emotional state; however, the song also states that a vast variety of what he owns is also blue, including his house and his car; various blue-coloured objects are also depicted on the single's cover.^[10] The song's hook is the sentence "I'm blue", followed by a repetition of the words "da ba dee da ba di", which the hook is based around.

Critical reception

The song received mixed reviews from critics. Entertainment Weekly positively reviewed the song, calling the song "a fleeting, feel-good foot-tapper" and gave the song a rating of B-.^[11] PopMatters reviewer Chris Massey, in his review of Europop, described his initial reaction to the song as being "really, really bad." However, he later stated in the review that after many repeated listenings of the song he "loved it."^[12]

Rolling Stone, however, in their review of Europop, gave the song a negative review, stating that the song "blends Cher-esque vocoder vocals, trance-like synth riffs, unabashed Eurodisco beats and a baby-babble chorus so infantile it makes the Teletubbies sound like Shakespeare." The magazine also placed the song on their list of the "20 Most Annoying Songs," reaching No. 14.^[13]

Chart performance

The single, released in April 1999, was a chart-topper in many European countries. The song initially found success in France, where it debuted on the chart in June 1999 and reached number one in late August. It then found success in other European countries, reaching the top spot on many charts in September the same year, including Germany, the Netherlands,^[14] Switzerland,^[15] Sweden,^[16] Norway and many other countries. It replaced "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega on many of these charts at the top spot.

The song also found success in other regions, including Oceania and North America: it reached number one in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It became a top ten hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, reaching number six. It became the highest charting Italian song in the United States since Al di là by Emilio Pericoli that also peaked at six in 1962.

The song re-charted on 6 May 2013 at No. 40 in the U.K.,^[17] the same week the song appeared in the film Iron Man 3.

Music video

Eiffel 65 on television screens during the opening segment of the video.

The music video for the song was released in 1999 by the BlissCoMedia, a computer graphics company of the Bliss Corporation, known at the time the video was produced and released as "BlissMultiMedia".^[18] The video featured computer graphics created with 3ds Max,^[19] and has Eiffel 65 members Maurizio Lobina and Gabry Ponte trying to save Jeffrey Jey from the aliens Zorotl and Sayok6.^[20]

Cover versions and samplings

German singer Max Raabe and Palast Orchester covered the song for his 2001 studio album Super Hits.^[21] A cover version was released on the 2006 Crazy Frog studio album More Crazy Hits. Flo Rida sampled the chorus of "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" in his 2009 single "Sugar".^[22] Ten Masked Men also covered the song. Michael Mind Project used a sample of "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" in their 2012 single "Feeling So Blue".

Use in media

The song has appeared in multiple films and television series. It was included in films such as Loser (2000), Big Fat Liar (2002), and more notably, Iron Man 3 (2013), the latter case during a flashback scene set in 1999, the year the song was released.^[23] On 15 March 2011 Ozone Entertainment released the song through the Rock Band Network. It is the first song on the service to incorporate the keyboard introduced in Rock Band 3.^[24][25] The song was also featured in an EDF Energy advertisement in 2015.

Formats and track listings

Italy CD single 1998

1. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (DJ Ponte Ice Pop Mix) – 6:25
2. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (DJ Ponte Radio Edit) – 4:43
3. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (Glamour Jump Mix) – 5:19
4. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (Dub Mix) – 4:47

German CD maxi-single

1. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (Blue Ice Pop Radio Edit) – 3:39
2. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (DJ Ponte Ice Pop Mix) – 6:26
3. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (Hannover Remix) – 6:24
4. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (Dub Mix) – 4:48
5. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (Ice Pop Instrumental Mix) – 6:27
6. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (Blue Paris Remix) – 7:42

Charts

Peak positions Chart (1999–2000) Peak position Australia (ARIA Charts)[26] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[26] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[26] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[26] 2 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[27] 1 Canada Dance (RPM)[28] 1 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[29] 1 Denmark (Tracklisten)[26] 1 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) 1 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[26] 1 France (SNEP)[26] 1 Germany (Media Control Charts)[30] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[31] 1 Italy (FIMI)[32] 3 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[33] 1 MTV Europe 1 New Zealand (RIANZ)[26] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[26] 1 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[34] 1 Spain (AFYVE)[35] 2 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[26] 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[26] 1 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[36] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[27] 6 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[27] 6 US Billboard Latin Pop Airplay[27] 16 US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40[27] 4 US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream[27] 2 Year-end charts Chart (1999) Position Australia (ARIA)[37] 3 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[38] 4 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[39] 4 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[40] 6 France (SNEP)[41] 4 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[42] 7 Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[43] 5 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 2 UK Singles Chart 2 Chart (2000) Position U.S. Billboard Hot 100[45] 49 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/Sales Australia[46] 3x Platinum 210,000 Austria[47] Platinum 30,000 Canada[48] Gold 50,000 Finland[49] Gold 7,957 France[50] Diamond 750,000 Germany[51] 5× Gold 1,250,000 Netherlands[52] Gold 40,000 Sweden[53] 3x Platinum 60,000 Switzerland[54] 2x Platinum 100,000 United Kingdom[55] Platinum 1,070,000[56] ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. Wilton, Lisa (25 March 2000). "Forgotten song became hit for Eiffel 65". Canoe.ca. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 638. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
3. Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Eiffel 65
4. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
5. http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2001/grammys.htm
6. "Eiffel 65 - Book Eiffel 65 for your Corporate Events, Fund Raisers". Locoloboevents.com. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
7. CANOE -- JAM! Music - Artists - Eiffel 65: The colour of money is Blue
8. Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee) Sheet Music (Download and Print). Musicnotes.com. Accessed from April 28, 2013.
9. Dave's Music Database - Eiffel 65
10. prod-assets.mog.com - Eiffel 65 "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" single cover
11. Blue (Da Ba Dee) | Music Review |Entertainment Weekly
12. Eiffel 65: Europop - PopMatters Music Review
13. 20 Most Annoying Songs by Rolling Stone.
14. Dutchcharts.nl - 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee) Archived March 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
15. Hitparade.ch - Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee) Archived November 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
16. Swedishcharts.com - Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
17. BBC Radio 1 Charts. BBC. 6 May 2013. Accessed from 6 May 2013.
18. Blue: 10 anni, 10 milioni di download (In Italian). Blisscomedia.com. Accessed from May 11, 2013.
19. Renderfarm. Blisscomedia.com. Accessed from April 1, 2013.
20. Jeffrey-kidnapped. Zorotl.com. Accessed from April 1, 2013.
21. "Max Raabe und Palast Orchester News, Bilder, Konzerte und Videos 2011 - Home". Palastorchester.de. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
22. "Flo Rida Digs Out Eiffel 65's "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" For New Single "Sugar"". About40.com. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
23. Iron Man 3 (Motion picture). Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. 2013.
24. Blue (Da Ba Dee) by Eiffel 65 // Songs // Rock Band Archived March 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
25. First RBN 2.0 Song in the Store – “Blue” // Blog // Rock Band Archived March 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
26. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
27. Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
28. Canadian dance peak
29. Canadian Top Singles peak
30. "Eiffel 65 singles, German Singles Chart" (in German). musicline. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
31. Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie Archived January 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
32. Top Italian Singles of 1999
33. "Dutch Charts > Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee) (Nummer)". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
34. "Archive Chart: 1999-09-25". Scottish Singles Top 40.
35. Billboard: Hits of the World, July 3, 1999
36. "Archive Chart: 1999-09-25" UK Singles Chart.
37. "1999 Australian Singles Chart". aria. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
38. "1999 Austrian Singles Chart" (in German). Austriancharts. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
39. "1999 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
40. "1999 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
41. "1999 French Singles Chart" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
42. "Single top 100 over 1999" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
43. "JAAROVERZICHTEN - SINGLE 1999" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
44. "1999 Swiss Singles Chart" (in German). Swisscharts. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
45. "Billboard Top 100 - 2000". Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
46. Australian certifications aria.com Archived March 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
47. Austrian certifications ifpi.at Archived 2010-02-01 at WebCite (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
48. Canada certifications cria.ca Archived May 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
49. Finnish certifications IFPI.fi (Retrieved September 21, 2010)
50. French certifications Disqueenfrance.com Archived February 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
51. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Blue (Da Ba Dee)')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
52. Dutch certifications nvpi.nl Archived 2010-01-13 at WebCite (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
53. Swedish certifications Ifpi.se (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
54. Swiss certifications Swisscharts.com Archived June 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
55. UK certifications Bpi.co.uk Archived 20060811184215 at WebCite (Retrieved December 12, 2008)
56. Ami Sedghi (4 November 2012). "UK's million-selling singles: the full list". Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2012.