Witch Doctor
David Seville & Chipmunks Lyrics

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I told the witch doctor
I was in love with you
I told the witch doctor
I was in love with you
And then the witch doctor
He told me what to do

He said that

Ooo eee,ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla bing bang...
Ooo eee ,ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla ,bing bang
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla bing bang

I told the witch doctor
You didn't love me true
I told the witch doctor
You didn't love me nice
And then the witch doctor
He game me this advice

He said that
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.

My friend the witch doctor
He taught me what to say
My friend the witch doctor
He taught me what to do
I know that you'll be mine
When I say this to you

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.

My friend the witch doctor
He taught me what to say
My friend the witch doctor
He taught me what to do
I know that you'll be mine
When I say this to you

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.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of this song tell a story of someone who is seeking the love of their crush and seeks the help of the "witch doctor" for advice on how to win their heart. The witch doctor suggests a specific set of words and sounds that will supposedly make the crush fall in love with the singer. The singer takes the advice and recites the words to their crush, believing that this spell will finally make them theirs.

The lyrics have a playful and lighthearted tone, with a catchy tune that emphasizes the repetitive sounds of "oo-ee, oo-ahh ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang." The concept of seeking supernatural help to solve romantic problems is a recurring theme in popular music, and in this song, the witch doctor serves as a symbol for a person's own insecurities and fears. The singer is using the figurative concept to justify their actions and to feel better about themselves.

Overall, this song is a fun and whimsical love song that reflects the simplicity and humor of pop music in the 1950s. It showcases the playful and humorous side of falling in love and trying to win someone's heart and has become a classic in the genre of novelty music.

Line by Line Meaning

I told the witch doctor
I admitted to the sorcerer

I was in love with you
I confessed to being enamored with you

And then the witch doctor
At this point, the shaman

He told me what to do
Instructed me on the course of action

He said that Ooo eee,ooo ah ah ting tang Walla walla, bing bang
He suggested that I recite this chant – 'Ooo eee,ooo ah ah ting tang Walla walla, bing bang'

I told the witch doctor
Again, I confided in the magician

You didn't love me true
My suspicions that you did not love me sincerely

You didn't love me nice
It was acquired knowledge that you did not love me kindly

And then the witch doctor
This time, the wizard

He game me this advice
Provided me with instructions

You've been keeping love from me
You have been hoarding love that I desire

Just like you were a miser
Much like a tightfisted individual

And I'll admit I wasn't very smart
I acknowledge that I was not intelligent in this regard

So I went out and found myself
Therefore, I scoured for

A guy that's so much wiser
A more intelligent man

And he taught me the way to win your heart.
And he coached me on how to win your affection.

My friend the witch doctor
My acquaintance, the wizard