Hi De Hi, Hi De Ho

Album: As One (1982)
Charted: 29
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Despite a seemingly upbeat title and up-tempo bassline, this song is actually about a failed relationship. It has been described as a "funky male heartbreak song." The video shows the band members standing at a bus stop dressed as 'pimps' who start dancing and accidentally trigger a massive street party - a typical tongue-in-cheek humor that largely came to epitomize the band's videos in the early to mid-1980s.
  • The phrase "Hi De Hi, Hi De Ho" was regularly heard on the UK TV sitcom "Hi-De-Hi!" in the 1980s. As a result, this song enjoyed massive airplay on UK radio on release in January 1983, and the video enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV. It received positive reviews from the critics, many of whom likened it to one of the band's previous hits, "Get Down On It," which had been a Top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Despite becoming a popular staple at house parties, night clubs/dance halls, discotheques, fairgrounds, and skating venues/ice rinks on release, "Hi De Hi, Hi De Ho" failed to repeat the success of "Get Down On It," as it stalled at #29 in the UK and did not chart at all in the US, where it was only a turntable hit. However, it would become one of Kool & The Gang's most popular and frequently requested songs when performing live.
  • Robert "Kool" Bell has cited that this song was heavily influenced by the legendary bandleader/entertainer Cab Calloway's 1930s songs "You Gotta Hi-De-Ho", "The Hi-De-Ho Miracle Man" and "Minnie the Moocher." Although attempts to replicate Calloway's "Big Band" sound were originally attempted, Bell and the band's lead vocalist James "J.T." Taylor opted to go with a more stripped back "rhythmic" feel instead. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Dave - Cardiff, Wales for above 3

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?