Nomi moved from Germany to New York City in the mid-1970s. He began his involvement with the art scene based in the East Village. After a chance meeting in a nightclub, David Bowie hired him and Joey Arias as back-up singers for a performance on Saturday Night Live on December 14, 1979. Nomi also collaborated with famed producer Man Parrish.
Nomi is remembered for his bizarrely theatrical live performances, sporting heavy make-up, unusual costumes, and highly-stylized hairdos. His songs were just as unusual, ranging from synthesizer-laden interpretations of classic opera to covers of songs like Chubby Checker's The Twist.
In the 1990s, Nomi was frequently mentioned in Dennis Miller's monologues as one of his favorite obscure references.
Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh will often play Nomi's cover of Lesley Gore's You Don't Own Me on his program (as introductory music for news items regarding homosexuality).
A cartoon called "The Venture Brothers" had Klaus with David Bowie.
Episode 213 26 "Showdown at Cremation Creek (Part II)"
Aired October 15, 2006 (2006-10-15)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showdown_at_Cremation_Creek_%28Part_II%29
Born: January 24, 1944; Immenstadt, Germany
Died: August 6, 1983 (aged 39); New York, NY, U.S.
Years active: 1977-1983
Ding Dong
Klaus Nomi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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!
Ding Dong, 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!
Aye ho, the Merry-O!
Sing it high, sing it low!
Let them know the Wicked Witch is dead!
The lyrics to Klaus Nomi's "Ding Dong" are a nod to the classic film The Wizard of Oz, specifically the scene where the Munchkins celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch of the East. The lyrics call for the listener to wake up and celebrate, as they have been freed from the tyranny of the witch. The repetition of "Ding Dong" adds to the celebratory tone of the song, as it mimics the sound of bell-ringing.
The lyrics also reference the witches' journey to the underworld, where they believe she has gone after her death. The phrase "she's gone where the goblins go, below, below, below" paints a picture of a world beneath the surface, where mystical creatures reside. The call to "open up and sing, and ring the bells out" encourages the listener to join in the celebration, as they may have previously been living in fear under the witch's rule.
Overall, the lyrics to "Ding Dong" are a joyful celebration of freedom and the defeat of tyranny. Referencing the classic film helps to tap into a sense of nostalgia and cultural significance, while the repetitive chorus and upbeat tempo create a jubilant atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Ding Dong!
The sound of bells ringing.
The Witch is dead!
A statement indicating that the witch has died.
Which old witch? The Wicked Witch!
A rhetorical question asking which witch has died and answering that it is the Wicked Witch.
Ding Dong the Wicked Witch is dead!
Repeating the earlier statement that the Wicked Witch has died while still ringing the bells.
Wake up, you Sleepy Head!
Telling someone to wake up because something important has happened.
Rub your eyes, get out of bed!
Encouraging someone to wake up and take action to acknowledge the news.
She's gone where the goblins go,
Highlighting that the witch has died and gone to an undesirable place where even goblins are found.
Below, below, below!
Emphasizing how much lower this place is.
Yo Ho!
An expression of joy and excitement.
Let's open up and sing,
A suggestion to celebrate by singing.
And ring the bells out!
Encouraging continued bell ringing.
Aye ho, the Merry-O!
Another expression of joy.
Sing it high, sing it low!
Suggesting that the singing should encompass a range of pitches.
Let them know the Wicked Witch is dead!
Ensuring that everyone hears the news and can join in the celebration.
Contributed by Lauren F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@anibalveloso4503
[MUNCHKINS]
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's the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low
Let them know the Wicked Witch is dead!
-------------------------------------------------
[Mayor]
As mayor of the Munchkin City
In the county of the land of Oz
I welcome you most regally
[Judge]
But we've got to verify it legally
To see
[Mayor]
To see
[Judge]
If she
[Mayor]
If she
[Judge]
Is morally, ethically
[Munchkin 1]
Spiritually, physically
[Munchkin 2]
Positively, absolutely
[Munchkin Men]
Undeniably and reliably dead
[Coroner]
As Coroner, I thoroughly examined her
And she's not only merely dead
She's really most sincerely dead
[Mayor]
Then this is a day of independence for all the munchkins
And their descendants
Yes, let the joyous news be spread
The wicked old witch at last is dead
[Munchkins]
Ding-dong the witch is dead
Which old witch, the wicked witch
Ding-dong the wicked witch is dead
Wake up you sleepyhead
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's the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low
Let them know the Wicked Witch is dead
[Lullaby League]
We represent the Lullaby League
The Lullaby League, the Lullaby League
And in the name of the Lullaby League
We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land
[Lollipop Guild]
We represent the Lollipop Guild
The Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild
And in the name of the Lollipop Guild
We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land
[Munchkins]
We welcome you to Munchkin Land
Tra, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
[Munchkin 1]
From now on you'll be history
[Munchkin 2]
You'll be his
[Munchkin 3]
You'll be his
[Munchkin 4]
You'll be history
[Munchkin 1]
And we will glorify your name
You will be a bust
[Munchkin 2]
Be a bust
[Munchkin 3]
Be a bust
[All]
In the hall of fame
Tra, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Tra, la, la, la, la, la, la
Tra, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Tra, la, la, la, la, la, la
@kenziemarie7312
I want to have this played at my funeral
@homerhedrick6943
Maybe my mother in laws
@greglaprade7507
I want it played at Hillary's. Very soon.
@sarahtonen6266
Haha, that's Awesome!
@Apollo99able
so you are a witch ??
@kidsundance3970
The wicked bitch
@bajanconji6553
Klaus is absolutely genius having done all of the vocalizations in this performance! Truly AMAZING!
@xeniabermudez8173
Oh Klaus...tu muerte no fue en vano. Con tu música sanó mi cuerpo y sanaron mis heridas
@lokikirottu8042
Клаус Номи е най-голямото някога! Обичам музиката му, така че оригиналната и ме кара да се усмихват всеки път, когато го чуя. Благодаря за тази забавна песен!
@sampson1959
klaus was really out there but his voice was amazing.enjoyed his performances and had he lived longer,might have been a huge influence for the next generation.avante gard at its finest.