At the age of 13, Klugh was captivated by the guitar playing of Chet Atkins when he made an appearance on the Perry Como Show. He has since been a guest on several Atkins albums. Atkins, reciprocating as well, joined Earl on his Magic In Your Eyes album. Klugh was also influenced by Bob James, Ray Parker Jr, Wes Montgomery and Laurindo Almeida. His sound is a blend of these jazz, pop and rhythm' and blues influences, forming a potpourri of sweet contemporary music original to only him.
Klugh became a guitar instructor at the young age of 15, and was eventually discovered by Yusef Lateef. His career rapidly progressed to working with the likes of George Benson, George Shearing, Chick Corea, and many others. Like several other Detroit-bred entertainers, Klugh attended Mumford High School (Michigan).
For their album One on One, Klugh and Bob James received a Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1981. He has since received 13 Grammy nods, millions of record and CD sales, and continues touring worldwide to this day.
Ding Dong The Witch is Dead
Earl Klugh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a wickeder, wickeder, wickeder witch there never, never was
She filled the folks in Munchkin land with terror and with dread
'Till one fine day from Kansas way a cyclone caught a house
That brought the wicked, wicked witch her doom
As she was flying on her broom
For the house fell on her head and the coroner pronounced her dead
And thru the town the joyous news was spread
Ding-dong, the witch is dead! Which old witch? The wicked witch
Ding-dong, the wicked witch is dead
Wake up, you sleepy head, rub your eyes, get out of bed
Wake up, the wicked witch is dead!
She's gone where the goblins go below, below, below, yo ho
Let's open up and sing, and ring the bells out
Ding-dong! the merry-o sing it high, sing it low
Let them know the wicked witch is dead
Ding-dong, the witch is dead! Which old witch? The wicked witch
Ding-dong, the wicked witch is dead
Wake up, you sleepy head, rub your eyes, get out of bed
Wake up, the wicked witch is dead!
She's gone where the goblins go below, below, below, yo ho
Let's open up and sing, and ring the bells out
Ding-dong! the merry-o sing it high, sing it low
Let them know the wicked witch is dead
The song "Ding Dong The Witch is Dead" by Earl Klugh is a tribute to the scene in the classic movie "The Wizard of Oz" when Dorothy and her friends finally defeat the Wicked Witch of the West. The song talks about how the witch was the most wicked one in all of Oz and how she caused terror and dread in the people of Munchkin land. However, one day a cyclone caught a house that landed on the witch and killed her. The news of her death brought joy to the people of Oz. The song repeats the phrase "Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead" multiple times, making it a catchy and memorable tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Once there was a wicked witch in the lovely land of Oz
In the beautiful land of Oz, there existed an evil sorceress.
And a wickeder, wickeder, wickeder witch there never, never was
There was no witch more wicked than this witch in all the land.
She filled the folks in Munchkin land with terror and with dread
The people of Munchkin land were frightened and worried because of her actions.
'Till one fine day from Kansas way a cyclone caught a house
A house from Kansas was swept up in a cyclone.
That brought the wicked, wicked witch her doom
The house brought an end to the wicked witch's life.
As she was flying on her broom
The wicked witch was riding on her broomstick at the time of her death.
For the house fell on her head and the coroner pronounced her dead
The house fell on her and the coroner confirmed her death.
And thru the town the joyous news was spread
The news of the witch's death quickly spread through the town, bringing joy to the people.
Ding-dong, the witch is dead! Which old witch? The wicked witch
The witch who has caused fear and worry, the wicked witch, is dead, hurray!
Wake up, you sleepy head, rub your eyes, get out of bed
Wake up and celebrate the death of the wicked witch, rise and shine!
Wake up, the wicked witch is dead!
Wake up, the evil witch has been defeated!
She's gone where the goblins go below, below, below, yo ho
The witch has gone underground, where the goblins reside.
Let's open up and sing, and ring the bells out
Let's sing and make noise to celebrate the witch's demise.
Ding-dong! the merry-o sing it high, sing it low
Sing loudly and joyfully, telling everyone of the witch's defeat.
Let them know the wicked witch is dead
Make sure everyone knows the wicked witch is no more!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: E HARBURG, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thomas Mokoena
on Across the Sand
When I first heard this in 1994 I was in school on the radio by non other than ausi Makgotso (aka Mamontha Modise) will make sure that as the program starts I've tuned in and waiting for her to introduce herself, still my favorite.