Ooh La La (The Wiseguys song)

"Ooh La La" is a song by English electronic music duo the Wiseguys from their second album, The Antidote (1998). First released as a single in 1998, it peaked at number 55 on the UK Singles Chart, but a re-release the following year proved highly successful after its inclusion in a Budweiser advertisement,[2] this time reaching number two on the UK chart. The original release also reached number 87 in the Netherlands, while the re-release peaked at number seven in Iceland.

"Ooh La La"
1999 re-release artwork
Single by the Wiseguys
from the album The Antidote
Released1998
GenreBig beat[1]
Length5:56
LabelWall of Sound
Songwriter(s)Theo Keating
Producer(s)Theo Keating
The Wiseguys singles chronology
"Casino 'Sans Pareil'" / "A Better World"
(1997)
"Ooh La La"
(1998)
"Start the Commotion"
(1998)

Composition edit

The song has a BPM of 124.[3] It samples "Jim on the Move" by Lalo Schifrin.[4]

Commercial performance edit

Initially, the song reached number 55 on the UK Singles Chart[5] and also charted in the Netherlands at number 87.[6] Upon its re-release on 24 May 1999,[7] it re-entered the UK chart, going to number two.[8] The song spent a total of 14 weeks on the chart. In Iceland, "Ooh La La" debuted and peaked at number seven in June 1999.[9]

Music video edit

The first video shows a Demolition Derby Event at the now closed Arena Essex Raceway.[10]

A later produced music video was also released, set at an airport and featuring scantily-clad dancers.[11]

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Silver 200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 1998
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
Wall of Sound
24 May 1999
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[7]
United States 17 August 1999 Alternative radio
[19]

References edit

  1. ^ Myers, Michele (19 August 2011). "The Big Beat Revolution: 11 Essential Songs". NPR. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  2. ^ Jones, Alan (5 June 1999). "Chart Commentary". Music Week. p. 15.
  3. ^ "MPM Search". Song BPM. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Ooh La La". Who Sampled. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  6. ^ a b "The Wiseguys – Ooh La La" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  7. ^ a b "New Releases – For Week Starting 24 May, 1999: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 22 May 1999. p. 23. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Íslenski Listinn (3.6–10.6. 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 11 June 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  12. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  13. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  14. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 24. 12 June 1999. p. 8. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  15. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  17. ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. 22 January 2000. p. 27.
  18. ^ "British single certifications – Wiseguys – Ooh La La". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Alternative: Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1312. 13 August 1999. p. 122.