Taco Ockerse (born July 21, 1955 in Jakarta, Indonesia), known mononymously… Read Full Bio ↴Taco Ockerse (born July 21, 1955 in Jakarta, Indonesia), known mononymously as Taco, is an Indonesian-born Dutch singer. He gained international stardom when in 1982 he recorded a distinctive cover record of the old Irving Berlin favorite, Puttin' on the Ritz in Germany, which made him famous early the next year (United States Billboard chart number 4). It has been reported that he did not speak any English at all and merely read the lyrics from transliterations, but this is false: Taco speaks English and almost always performed in English. He also speaks German, having recorded a couple of songs ("Träume brauchen Zeit" and "Blauer Vogel, steig!") for German Eurovision in 1981. He is also a speaker of Dutch and French.

Taco was born to a Dutch couple in Jakarta (On a side note, Indonesia was once a Dutch colony). Prior to his worldwide hit with Puttin' on the Ritz, he fronted a Berlin-based band called Taco's Bizz. Their niche was performing Depression-era oldies in a more contemporary style, and soon Taco was courted by record labels to release a solo single. Puttin' on the Ritz gained so much attention that an entire album was funded by RCA Records. Both the album and the single were hits in Europe, and thanks to a popular MTV video for Puttin' on the Ritz, the single and the album became hits in America as well, selling over 500,000 copies of Taco's 1982 debut album After Eight.

A follow-up album, Let's Face The Music, was recorded in 1984 for RCA, but it failed to recreate Taco's initial success, and he vanished from the American market immediately thereafter. Taco continued to record, however, focusing mostly on the German market with albums Swing Classics/In The Mood Of Glenn Miller in 1985 and Tell Me That You Like It in 1986 for Polydor. In 1987 he recorded the self-titled album Taco. In 1989 he briefly flirted with contemporary dance music by releasing a pair of singles, Love Touch and Got To Be Your Lover, that were blatantly styled after the high energy disco sound popularized by Stock Aitken Waterman. Afterwards he repositioned himself as a swing/soul singer. He has collaborated with Geff Harrison of Kin Ping Meh fame.

He currently resides in Germany, occasionally performing in Berlin and recording.

He has been referenced on the TV show The Simpsons. Episode BABF19, "Behind the Laughter", features Willie Nelson saying, "Thank you, Taco, for that loving tribute to Falco", as well as the end of the tribute itself. Recently, Taco was referenced in an episode of The Venture Bros. in describing Klaus Nomi's tuxedo attire.

Living On Video
Taco Lyrics

We have lyrics for 'Living On Video' by these artists:

Alex Christensen The Berlin Orchestra Asja Ahatovic Give me light Give me action At the touch of a button Flying…
Cardenia Give me light, give me action At the touch of a…
Daniel Desnoyers Give me light Give me action At the touch of a button. Flyin…
Frozen Plasma The window is open, so's that door I didn't know they…
Lazard Give me light give me action at the touch of a button. Fl…
lazard feat o heller project Give me light, give me action, At the touch of a…
Lazard feat. O' Heller Project Give me light Give me action At the touch of a button Flying…
Leæther Strip Discover machine pleasure Give me light, give me action …
Pakito Give me light Give me action At the touch of a button. Flyin…

PAKITO ★★★ Give me light Give me action At the touch of a button. Fl…
Pulsedriver Living on video Give me light, give me action At the touch…
Trance-X Give me light Give me action At the touch of a button Flying…
Trans - X Give me light Give me action At the touch of a button. Fl…
Trans X Give me light Give me action At the touch of a button Flying…
[Pakito Give me light Give me action At the touch of a button. Fl…

We have lyrics for these tracks by Taco:

After Eight After eight, a rendezvous with Kate She works late, I've had…
Carmella I found her in a dirty little cafe in an…
Cheek To Cheek Chichi con c-con con chichi chichi con c-con) (Chichi con c-…
Desire Kiss you. I wanna kiss you あなたに全てを見透かされ雨音響く部屋で僕は僕を裏切りながら …
Encore Every evening, eight o'clock The curtain's up, the band begi…
Got To Be Your Lover Got to be your lover lover Wow wow I got to…
I Should Care I should care, I should go around weeping I should care,…
La Chambre Separee Contessa, of Tridessa Frequented clubs of bad taste In disgu…
La Vie En Rose Des yeux qui font baisser les miens Un rire qui se…
Let The Music Play (What we're gonna do?) (Gonna do what?) (Hey - what we're go…
Livin in My Dreamworld Livin' in my dreamworld, memories of yesteryear Visions of G…
Mas Que Nada Ô ariá raiô Obá, Obá, Obá, Ô ariá raiô Obá, Obá, Obá M…
Night And Day Where the jungle shadows fall Like the tick tick tick…
Opera Rap In the days of old Back in old Europa People got hip…
Puttin If you're blue and you don't know where to go…
Sayonara Chartered by starlight Searchin' the oceans Land of the risi…
Singin' In The Rain (My God... You fly thousands of miles to get some…
Somewhere Over the Rainbow Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high There's a land that…
Taco's Charleston Charleston, Charleston ???.... Yes sir, that's my baby …
Thanks a Million Thanks a million, a million thanks to you For everything…
The Breaks Let's take a break and break it down I break you…
They Can't Take That Away From Me The way you wear your hat The way you sip your…
Tribute to Tino He ruled the golden silent screen He haunted millions in the…
Where Did Our Love Go Baby, baby, baby don't leave me Ooh, please don't leave me…
Winchester Cathedral Winchester Cathedral You're bringin' me down You stood there…

You Are My Lucky Star You are my lucky star I saw you from afar Two…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

TRACKS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Maraple_1707

16w↑15

Lyrics:

If you're blue, and you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where fashion sits?
Puttin' on the Ritz
Different types who wear a day coat
Pants with stripes and cutaway coat, perfect fits
Puttin' on the Ritz
Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper
Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper)
Come, let's mix where Rockefellers
Walk with sticks or umbrellas in their mitts
Puttin' on the Ritz
Have you seen the well-to-do
Up and down Park Avenue?
On that famous thoroughfare
With their noses in the air
High hats and Arrow collars
White spats and lots of dollars
Spending every dime for a wonderful time
If you're blue, and you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where fashion sits?
Puttin' on the Ritz
Different types who wear a day coat
Pants with stripes and cutaway coat, perfect fits
Puttin' on the Ritz
Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper
Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper)
Come, let's mix where Rockefellers
Walk with sticks or umbrellas in their mitts
Puttin' on the Ritz
Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper
Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper)
If you're blue, and you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where fashion sits?
Puttin' on the Ritz
Puttin' on the Ritz
Puttin' on the Ritz
Puttin' on the Ritz
Downtown, uptown
Get your kicks at the Ritz
Dine and wine, but not 'til nine
The time is right for us tonight
We can move
Move to the rhythm
We can
Move
Move
I want you to move

All comments from YouTube:

@gabe_s_videos

1y↑7.8K

Fun fact: Irving Berlin was still alive in 1983 when this cover was released, which made him, at 95, the oldest living songwriter to have a hit on the Billboard Charts during his lifetime.

@HowToKillAliens

1y↑118

well,what did he think about this version of his song?

@gabe_s_videos

1y↑535

@@HowToKillAliens idk, I never asked him.

@jonathanbenavidez201

1y↑291

@@gabe_s_videosI did. And he told me his thoughts on his deathbed. But I swore secrecy 🤐

@tchittenden1

1y↑285

He said it left him feeling gay. Take that as you will.

@blazingstar9638

1y↑12

Cool!

97 More Replies...

@randomnessthe3rd

1y↑4.9K

I love how fever dreamy 80’s music videos are

@spencerallison3196

1y↑29

Try anything by Stan Ridgeway

@antoniosethias9948

1y↑36

I see the original of this video, without edited. Searching for the original of this clip.
The dark side, bad side of unedited version of this video is the "black faces"...
I wanted the or also censured version without "black faces".

@peterbelanger4094

1y↑50

MTV was a new thing and the music industry got quite experimental with the new "music video" format.
A lot of you just take the idea of a "music video" for granted, but in 1983, it was still a novel concept.
And in the 1980's MTV actually DID play music videos!!! 😳
(I know, sounds crazy)

@riskvideos

1y↑1

There's a reason putting Vaseline on the camera is a trope.

@LightBeing369

1y↑12

Nobody escapes the bad part of the Trip
😄

47 More Replies...

@jf9096

8w↑328

Hey Taco, I was an 80's kid, I'm 56 now...this song brings me back to the best time of my life, Thanks for being a part of that.

@mattg1611

8w↑7

So was my dad, prob two years younger than you. He showed me this song when I was 6, now I’m 21 and I still think this song is a banger😂

@user-rk8hu2px4p

8w↑1

Thanks I'm part of 10,524 as well. This is awesome!!!! 2CTheNeWorldOrder. Heil Captain Klink!

@HawksenDoom-sn7wy

8w↑4

52 checkin in'

@dominiquepilon5910

8w↑4

Me too im 52 years old the 1980 s music was the best we are generation x ers

@travisadams4470

7w↑4

58 checking in

11 More Replies...

@mallrat9500

11w↑450

Hello from Moscow, remember how my father played me this song on a pirated cassette on an old tape recorder, and this one was my favorite, I constantly sang along, although I didn’t know a single word)
Today firstly saw the clip)
Still listen almostly every day, it sends me back to those bright times of calmness, when everything in life was good... 🖤

@Taco

11w↑128

Spaciba,nice to hear about your memories!Enjoy my youtube channel,more is coming soon!

@mallrat9500

11w↑6

New hits - it's never too late! Waiting with love)

@JujuBennie

11w↑3

@@TacoActually, it’s “spasibo”;
And Moscow can mean the city in Idaho, not just Russia!

@mallrat9500

11w↑17

actually, im from moscow in russia)

@Oleskii

10w↑7

True. This song was very popular in ussr and post-ussr countries.

19 More Replies...

@hipstertrash2293

1y↑11.9K

This dude is like a fusion between Tim Curry's Frank N Furter (Rocky Horror) and Tim Curry's characters in Clue and Home Alone 2. Tim Curry levels unparallelled by mere mortals.

@MissShembre

1y↑167

I noticed that too!

@grabble7605

1y↑101

*Tim Curry's character in The Worst Witch
https://youtu.be/PUhuPn8_d0Q?t=56

@hipstertrash2293

1y↑194

@@grabble7605 Tim Curry is a legend... and a character in Legend (1985)

@redzgaming6880

1y↑77

Don't forget when he was Stalin in Red Alert 2

@SUPERMAN3309

1y↑21

More like the joker.

333 More Replies...

@FoxBullet

1y↑4.2K

This has such an 80's vampire "recruitment" vibe, I LOVE IT

@ErevanDB

1y↑101

Honestly going to use this for this exact scenario in a dnd campaign.

@Mariodash23

1y↑78

This seems like the kinda thing a Toreador from VtM would do. Probably to have more high class humans in clubs for vamps to drink some fancy blood.

@IMCcanTWEESTED

1y↑18

Yeah. Made in 1982. Taco has become an overstuffed Burrito in the meantime.

@starlepus9437

1y↑42

@@IMCcanTWEESTED that seems a bit rude. the dude is old

@smiley4995

1y↑22

@@IMCcanTWEESTED I just looked him up and he looks good

45 More Replies...

@chrisp1601

17w↑663

This song was written in the 1920s, now it’s the 2020s. Still relevant after all these years. This version will always be from the future.

@TheRealSandorClegane

17w↑5

Relevant? Its not that deep lol

@chrisp1601

17w↑55

@@TheRealSandorClegane the wealth divide today is probably far greater than in 1939. So yes.

@Anedime

17w

Relevant? Whatever you're smoking, put it down, it's frying your brain.
And just FYI, going "take your own advice" isn't an argument, it's what morons do when they don't have an argument.

@travellover3373

17w↑5

⁠@@AnedimeRelevant is relative. Perhaps you should follow your own advice?

@liammeech3702

16w↑21

Still waiting for art-deco to make a comeback

16 More Replies...

@paktype

7w↑67

Another oddball song from the ‘80s. Part of why that decade had the best music.

@martinpascoe5904

6w↑1

another classic green screen , very unlike this but also 80s is : ENYA Orinocco Flow, FALCO Der Kommisar & SIMPLE MINDS All the things she said ! but yes this is a one off work of Genius

@lukejbarnett1

5w↑3

i just wrote here that that is why the '80s is the best decade of music of all time the fact that they allowed this to become a pop hit and it's bc the '80s was so diverse with the music being made.

@jeffsinfinitygaminglounge2099

1y↑3.4K

This guy has the same energy I have creeping around my apartment at 4 am drunk off busch lite after work

@jonathanbenavidez201

1y↑41

😂 this is great!

@hayteren

1y↑87

You over estimate your drunk charm

@ResidentWiseacre

1y↑57

This is oddly specific.

@jeffsinfinitygaminglounge2099

1y↑17

Same energy (in my mind)

@ImmortalMEDIAYT

1y↑4

Oh god must be charming

54 More Replies...

@KCB05_Cosplays

34w↑2.5K

This song will never get old!
Taco's appearance gives off heavy Tim Curry vibes!

@waynegoodman4787

34w↑37

My wife and I were just thinking the same thing about him looking like and vibing like Tim

@goldilox369

33w↑13

I've always felt that way. It's a real thing.

@MegaDchamp

33w↑9

Agreed.

@myoldmate

33w↑8

Nail on the head.

@Lin17ful

33w↑6

That's exactly what I thought!

50 More Replies...

@madzod0076

12w↑216

I can see him being one of the friendlier spirits of the Overlook Hotel.

@jasongrelli9134

9w↑3

So do I

@johnhewitt564

There are several inspirational themes going on in the video.😂

@PrimyFritzellz

9w↑47

This song is such a vibe. It's truly a timeless song.

@casedistorted

orly

@lidarman2

1y↑816

A song right in the transition of disco, rap, and and new wave.

@createnewhandle_

1y↑48

Don’t forget the swing revival

@riskvideos

1y↑9

Couldn't have come at a better time

@brasstacks5319

1y↑7

Yes! And it is as weird and fun to younger people as it it was to the rest of us when it first came out. Im glad that this new classic of a classic is getting another spin! 😁

@soulscanner66

1y↑3

techno and house too

@GroovyDoom

@@YohanesGavraHutajulu 2:48

@Nurdse_326

1y↑801

This song and video has always struck me as creepy, catchy, unsettling, fun, and disturbing. And I'm here for all of it.

@02chevyguy

1y↑18

His make-up is a bit too creepy.

@BioHaggard

52w↑6

I used to be so scared of the mime!

@rustybricks1924

51w↑15

In combination with the music video it's like a dystopian feeling coupled with a facade of vanity.

@charliegabs

50w↑9

In short, vain vampire vibes

@colleen4ever

47w↑1

@@charliegabs Have you seen Ed Sheeran;s video for 'Bad Habits'? Think he was influenced by this video.

11 More Replies...

@douglas2902

12w↑139

First time hearing this since the 80's takes me back in time. I never thought id be listening to this 40 years later

@shortsio5657

12w↑2

awesome

@tacomas9602

11w↑2

This song is much older than I (2002) and it is a fucking bop. I play this while I'm blazin down these farm back roads at 35mph lol

@douglas2902

11w

@tacomas9602 came out In 1982 or 1983

@maybenextime5782

16w↑70

My Great Aunt showed me this as a kid and every time I listen to it I think of her. So thank you taco for an awesome song and a great memory I'll have forever. Miss you Aunt Brenda

@JesusR.OlmedaThe2nd

16w↑1

Aunt Brenda IS AWE-SOME!!!!!

@SrMentos

16w↑1

aww you great aunt was so cool for sure

@Eric4471066

1y↑1.4K

This song was Taco's one and only Top 40 crossover dance hit in America. The song did peaked at the #1 spot on the Billboard Dance chart and it peaked at the #4 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the summer of 1983. Originally, this song was written by Irving Berlin in the early 1930s. I love that Taco put an terrific spin on this classic song. This song is a definitely banger indeed!!! Taco is the man!!!

@grantjohnson2049

1y↑20

Late 20s.

@user-rf8gp4xw2w

1y↑4

I heard first arrangement of the song in 1983 and it was more pretty for me.

@laurieberry4814

1y↑20

Boys from tap dancing wore lipstick because that’s what the teacher wanted. The next year there were only girls in the class. I thought that Taco was a model. Yes, tap takes stamina and it’s tiring.

@flyguy5941

1y↑10

He did a video with folks in blackface. It must have been pulled.

@killercan10

1y↑34

@@flyguy5941 Correct. 1:45 to about 3:08 is edited heavily. The entire tapdance part had 2 or 3 dancers in blackface in the original and there was some more beyond that point.

37 More Replies...

@Valyrus

15w↑100

I never get tired of listening to this song, it's almost magical.

@Xhmsxfn

13w↑1

I completely agree!!!

@nolamisskel

5w↑26

I tap danced to this song in a dance recital as a child in the 80s . We had the black and white costumes and canes. Core memory unlocked.

@momoftwo7701

42w↑1.4K

Taco is beyond fabulous. His mouth sings one song and his face and body sing along. 😍

@Taco

42w↑309

how sweet of you!

@momoftwo7701

41w↑151

@Taco I'm having a major fan-girl moment right now!

@Taco

41w↑157

hahahahahahahahaha@@momoftwo7701

@DanielAppleton-lr9eq

38w↑22

@@Taco I heard a snatch of " Another One Bites the Dust " in there, I swear.

@s.hocker9222

37w↑5

@@DanielAppleton-lr9eq Same here, but the synths, vocal style, and video are more like Human League.

8 More Replies...

@RedBear-wb1hi

1y↑544

This song is so addictive. I just can't stop thinking about it after listening. His voice is so smooth and then the funky music just goes so well together.

@davidtsmith33

41w

True.

@lanabuttacavoli9619

41w↑1

I know

@magicmoonart

40w↑1

I can't stop singing it myself!

@alleystar7779

9w↑22

I just feel like taco would be an amazing guy and down for whatever. Like you could take him to a dive bar and he would become everyone’s friend dancing around with a tuxedo and a cane. Likeable dude.

@k.b.tidwell

17w↑63

Man, you are a blast from my past! In 1983 I was 13, and I remember you singing this song very clearly. After I got married in 1990, I wanted to forget all about everything to do with the '80's because it seemed very uncool. Now that I'm in my 50's I'd give quite a lot to go back to those simpler and fun times. Thanks for the video and the memories!

@gregkosinski2303

10w

Youre in your 1950s? Are you a vampire?

@baalzeebub4230

7w↑4

I feel it. Born in 71 myself. Another song that trip this switch for me is “rock me Amadeus”

@baalzeebub4230

7w↑1

@@gregkosinski2303no age shaming! (See, this new generation has it’s uses)

@k.b.tidwell

7w↑2

@@baalzeebub4230 agreed! At the time you couldn't turn on the radio without Rock Me Amadeus playing within five minutes it seemed. 😅

@elinatpwk

1y↑1.3K

This song is so addicting for some reason

@Exrylint

1y↑29

IT IS VERY

@austinrhodes7650

1y↑18

Yes very much so

@ND-nt5dt

1y↑20

I listen to it a least 4 times a day.

@starlight_maven

1y↑9

I couldn't agree more!

@jacksucksateverythingandev2994

1y↑6

@@starlight_maven Same

44 More Replies...

@cameronphenix2096

1y↑1.5K

I don't know if the original was anything other than just a catchy song, but Taco's version with the music video completely re-contextualizes it into pointing out the absurdity of vanity driven fashion and materialism. Absolutely love it.

@ElNeroDiablo

1y↑126

The original song was from the 1930's... which was it's own weird time with vanity, money, and social classes.

@PBJECTIVE

1y↑164

It was. The original 1930s version was about fashionable but poor African-Americans living/going out in Harlem (Lennox Ave[Malcolm X blvd]). Using all the money they had to party on their day off, pretending to be more wealthy then they are. In the 1940s it was re-written for Fred Astaire in the movie Blue Skies, which changed the lyrics to Park Ave and took out many references of the original referencing Harlem. Added references to famous white people, Gary Cooper/Rockefeller. And became a satirize about affluent white people instead. Many people only really know the Astaire version of the song as the "original" so in that case it was always meant to be about the materialism but the real is slightly more complex, especially with it being almost 100 years ago.

@cheryldeboissiere1851

Can you believe the absolute garbage 💩 Taco had to put up with because he put the song in its real context? They definitely did like all the Homeless people and it was so appropriate since the Homeless had arrived in America. This was actually a plea to help them, which didn’t happen and still hasn’t happened under Biden.

@gerrydooley951

you must love crap

@dawne6419

1y↑18

@Sonia - There's an episode of Jeeves & Wooster where Wooster is trying to learn what I assume is the actual original version and having a hard time of it. Jeeves disapproves, as he seems to do to all of Wooster's musical choices, but offers a suggestion on the tempo(?) that makes it singable. Fry and Laurie, of course.

Your explanation clears a few things up for me in that bit.

"...with due expediency, putting on the Regency..."

24 More Replies...

@XMattingly

11w↑44

“Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper… super duper! “ gets me every time 😂

@user-qq9xu9le5u

4w↑4

this song regularly pops into my head unprompted and i have to listen to it every time
not that i'm complaining, mind you

@JessicaSmith-kj6zi

41w↑182

"dressed up like a million dollar trooper trying hard to look like gary cooper" gets me every time. i love his song sm.

@user-ix4hb4mt1i

24w↑1

Me too...lol.😂

@ChuegnzGG7118

23w↑2

Putting on the ritz

@sharonbraselton3135

17w

Gary Cooper mario Koopa bfreom briwserr beach

@FriskDrinksBrisk

16w↑2

SUPER DUPER

@gordonmills2748

1y↑315

The thing I love about this is that it came out at a time when everyone was trying to figure out what this whole "music video" thing was and where it was going. So many creatives throwing ideas against the wall and hoping they would stick. It was a new frontier. The wild west. Other euphemisms. But the songs were good.

@vanityscar424

1y↑7

even the ones with actual structure and some effort put into it sitting atop a fairly decent production value turned into an untranslatable mess in the end. they weren't exactly Tarkovsky, ya know....

@koolarooo

1y↑12

Keep in mind this isn’t the original music video. It’s edited because the original had blackface.

@xxfrosty609xx3

1y↑5

@@koolaroooit was removed after the 2020 protests

@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee

1y↑2

@@xxfrosty609xx3 which is hilariously unrelated in any way, oh well

@flazzorb

@@xxfrosty609xx3 It changed around the end of 2022.

@Kristina-yl9zf

15w↑26

I love this song. The 1980s has me transfixed on the time and music.

@ec1516

14w↑35

I'm actually old enough to remember when this song came out. I was only 4, but the local radio stations played it non-stop for 2 or 3 years. Simpler times.

@emptiester

14w↑2

Remember when you knew like 50 phones numbers off the top of your head? Thats a single 350 digit number. Almost 15 alphabets. Lol. Imagine that today.

@kevingoss635

28w↑228

That little side to side "head slide" that he does is so... hypnotic ✌

@Taco

28w↑97

Bollywood inspiration!

@sharonbraselton4302

21w↑6

yess he smdise reak hyórtonic magic sowell

@babygerald4645

1y↑535

This was all over the radio that summer of '83. This song, Gary Numan's 'Cars' and Murray Head's 'One Night In Bangkok' left a massive impression on my 10-year-old self. My tape collection was all synth pop. This song still sounds ahead of its time with that mix out. Great to see the original video finally here in great quality.

@RobinFlysHigh

1y↑7

Thanks for sharing! Prompted me to listen to One night in Bangkok again. I'll be listening Cars next although I don't think I like it quite as much

@raylopez99

1y↑6

Yeah nowadays everything is synthetic but back then it was radical.

@timetravellingone

1y↑13

And Men Without Hats "Safety dance"

@ItsAsparageese

1y↑5

I NEVER see anyone mention "One Night in Bangkok"! I grew up bonkers about the musical CHESS so I was thrilled once I discovered that song was a pop hit & thus more widely known, but past my parents' generation it's still way too obscure lol

@onii747

1y↑9

Not quite the original because they cut out the minstrels in this version

19 More Replies...

@thetoycannon9813

14w↑14

So many great things in this song that captivate the listener. The Synthesized sounds at presise moments that compliment the perfect movement to show the ritz in action. Taco makes it cool to be ritzy. I dont think to many other people could do it like him...

@limabravo0001

12w↑13

Two words. 1. TIMELESS. 2. BRILLIANT.

@lollollolskeet

1y↑4.7K

For anyone who has seen this and noticed something off, they took out the clips of the dancers in black face and used alternative footage of Taco during the Super-duper lyrics. The original video is archived online for people to view but its understandable why youtube didn't want it up

@dmullinax1000

1y↑531

I liked that version a lot better. It was creepy, and weird. I liked it.

@artemisvega8940

Pathetic revisionism. Are people really so fucking terribly hurt by a bit of archive footage? Taco himself is multi racial and stated it was never meant to be racist and played into the meaning of the song. Should we wipe out or redo everything in the past just because some current political/social trend (which is what it is) is obsessed with making everything baby level safe for people? If so I demand we redo every fucking nasty lgbt etc reference ever because I might be offended. Context is everything. Revisionism is dangerous, that's entering really dangerous territory, like Chinese citizens not knowing about Tiannmen square. The past is the past, good or bad, you can't erase it no matter how hard you try. The response has nothing to do with racism, it's a knee jerk response from social manipulators. It's in the same bucket as pretending Star Trek has never been "diverse" enough or that for some idiotic reason Doctor Who or James Bond should be a woman. Or a black woman. Fuck off. It's fake as shit. Let history be what it is, it's not as if society hasn't improved dramatically. Also it's a fucking cool version of song that pokes fun of privilege. What the fuck more do people want?

@damanyocum149

1y↑643

F You Tube and their censorship

@morkeljakeson9438

1y↑201

This version of the video is fantastic anyway

@L1701

1y↑189

Yeah, that is for the best.

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@amybarrett7300

1y↑805

My best friend loved this song. I remember her singing it while we were doing balance beams in gym class. She died in 2000. I can’t hear this without thinking of her. So many early 80’s songs are like that. RIP, Debbie. 🙏🏻

@Finallybianca

1y↑18

So sorry for your loss.

@canonegro666

1y↑13

Some pain never fades

@toohot2trott322

1y↑6

❤❤❤🙏🏾

@shaggynwhitt6672

1y↑5

Truly sorry for your loss

@amybarrett7300

1y↑3

@@shaggynwhitt6672 Thank you. 🙏🏻

10 More Replies...

@jman041987

1y↑406

I am 35 and this song has lived rent free in my brain since I was a kid

@PabloPerez-ed9gp

1y↑1

Agree😢🤪

@johnbacus4245

1y↑2

so big deal

@sanaaniz

1y↑11

@@johnbacus4245 pretty sure he wasn’t stating it for your approval 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

@justinmajors2872

51w↑2

Super Duper

@annidez

50w↑3

Me too, ever since I saw Young Frankenstein.

6 More Replies...

@scottradio9663

5w↑3

I remember requesting this on a radio station and staying up all night waiting for them to play it. ❤

@allaussiegarbo4274

13w↑12

Taco is One of the greatest singers off all time in my opinion i love this song i listen to it everyday im listening to it all the way from Australia thanks for this masterpiece Taco hope your going well

@dibujante2.071

36w↑107

Can we talk about how flamboyant that guy looks??? He looks like the living definition of charisma and fashion. Plus the song rocks!1!1

@carminemurray6624

13w

Hot Stuff, hotter than Red Hot 🥵 🔥 Chilli 🌶 peppers 🌶

@shakes307

1y↑179

As a boy I loved tap. My mum couldn't afford the lessons so I sat outside the room (primary school hall" On Saturday afternoon and I tried to tap what i heard. I could nail the tap solo in this song. Sucks to grow up in poverty. This song still moves me ty <3

@01dirtydirk

1y↑7

Too bad you didn’t have more drive... You could have really made something of yourself

@Dear_Lola

1y↑3

I’m a teenager and my family is poor. I’ve never had real lessons since I was 3-4 years old. I just try to look at videos and learn from them.

@n.aragil

@@Dear_Lola you can look into coursera financial aid :)

@sharonbraselton4302

23w

yiu need $30000 b9nus

@haleyduffey4604

13w↑23

My mom always asks me why I have this song on repeat 😂

@caseyhayes4590

I was 4 years old and this 45 single was the first record I ever bought and I played it all the time. Some of my family would laugh about it many years later. It was this single and my Scooby Doo story book records.

@ombra711

1y↑502

The layers to this song..I didn't realize how iconic it actually was till now. This is a masterclass of playful musicality and smooth genre fusions done right!

@D4rkF4ll

36w↑223

I can't tell which one impresses me more. The way he sings and his body sings along, his elegant demeanor or how amazing this song is.

@laurahall3094

28w↑2

The song was written in the 30s or 40s. Irving Berlin.

@sharonbraselton3135

22w

Yes. He illusionist like David coprr fikd n agic in hewsrts

@johnsimpkins5191

14w↑12

Love the 80's music

@user-tc7ym5fj1v

10w

Go back 10,20 years

@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti6854

7w↑6

I want this song to be played at my funeral...

@user-dx3gm2pc7g

7w↑1

Same except by Fred astaire

@Lord-Me

44w↑312

This dude has off the charts charisma

@jo2lovid

42w↑7

All done in an age before Auto-Tune as well!

@swamifakkananda4043

40w

So do you!! Not if the chart is upside down, though.❤😂

@GassedCider

32w

The original singer fred astaire has got more charisma he is the original rizzler.

@swamifakkananda4043

32w↑2

@@GassedCider but u have more ritz than all of them!!

@zirconalian

21w

bro maxing out the charisma in his special

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@jerradwilson

43w↑227

I had a lucid dream and woke up with this song in my head. I haven't listened to it since I was a little kid 30+ years ago. Amazing song.

@user-cl5in4jz9x

22w↑1

Baby Genius

@sharonbraselton4302

20w↑1

hyóritzing you magic zpeekl

@sharonbraselton3135

20w↑1

Hyortized you nagic speerll

@martinaubut5027

18w↑1

Lucid dream... or acid induced delirium ?

@TheRealMonkeyrogue

17w↑3

OMG what a song. I've missed this fusion. It was everything I looked for in the 80's.

Still classy. But...modern. pure fun.

@Thatfoxatthebowlinglane.

4w↑1

One of the best songs from the 80s without a doubt!

@thefool2007

50w↑464

I loved this song at age 12...and still do at age 52. No wonder I love synthesizers. Taco is way cool.

@kathyscott9555

45w↑9

😂we same age..creepy song it had a Halloween feel

@Matelk

43w↑4

35 and it's a banger, something about it just hits right

@bradthomson4830

42w↑4

ditto, 59 here and any friday night sittn with friends, Beer and MTV

@exceptionallyriso

42w↑5

Wow how does it feel to be over half a century old

@lisalamb4559

34w↑2

i was 14

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@agungadhiasto3642

34w↑203

Whenever I am running out of good horror movies to watch, I just go watch this

@Taco

34w↑94

scares the f. outa me too!

@mariacespedes3707

33w↑5

LMAO

@Twilight_Light_Lord

32w↑21

@@Tacothe creator scared with his own creation?
That's a masterpiece

@thatsmyera

32w↑2

AHAHAHA! You nailed it!

@thierrylangford5199

32w↑10

I’d pay good money to see the horror film adapted from this 😂😂😂

3 More Replies...

@Abfallkannibale

11w↑6

You know a song and its video are awesome when they make you think "this belongs in some kind of movie. Tim Burton maybe."
That groove is just... It just IS.

@brandyranly

3w↑1

I remember this as an 81 baby and loved it for some reason 😅 so yep still listening 😅

@redneckextraordinaire3073

28w↑109

Here we are in 2023, exactly 40 years, and this song is still a crowd pleaser. Music, lyrics, costumes, backdrops, and a tapdance to boot! Perfection in a nutshell...

@00-UNKNOWN-00

23w↑10

Lot more than 40 years from the original

@sharonbraselton3135

22w↑1

Buy. She'll game magic. Trick kit

@sharonbraselton4302

21w

chef girkdriñd meet 1⁹83 4⁰ years old ebfgeñt liveez

@sharonbraselton4302

20w

master girkfriñed found each ojther 1⁹83 ⁸ ywars 5 yearsd boy frubd gurkf8ñd

@anmnou

12w

Almost one hundred years from the original! 😯@@00-UNKNOWN-00

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@unitedstatesofsmash3638

1y↑194

I love the way Taco moves, and this song is one of my favorites from the 80s. ♥️

@themisfitbrigade9100

1y↑2

In reality it is from the 1930s

@THEWallyWarbles

43w

@@themisfitbrigade9100 It was written in the 1920s, and was first sung in 1930.

@luckylucario

11w↑2

This my go to version of Putting On The Ritz. When ever the song gets stuck in my head it's this version I hear.

@cameronrashaudunlimited

3w↑1

The combination of the rhythm and the atmosphere of this song definitely hype up the vibes.

@toddb8951

1y↑401

Timeless. A piece of music culture of the 80s. Tell me you head or foot isn't keeping beat. Taco always wins!!

@AshleyH420

1y↑2

That's why you shouldn't tamper with its original depiction that the artist intended to portray

@ademirmochi5423

1y↑2

only it's not from the 80's though

@emburst859

Nah this thing is already verging on outdated. Who the hell is Gary Cooper? Why does the singer wanna look like him?

@parsnipguy2986

puttin' on the ritz more like going off the shitz

@robertmoffit1135

Ella's version is the best

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@anthony7564

44w↑581

I never sat down to watch this video from beginning to end before and ... wow! That synth is timeless and this guy's charisma + vision was way ahead of his time. Fantastic energy and attention to detail in every frame of the video which you rarely see even today. I'm extremely impressed.

@sireuchre

43w↑19

The original version was a bit... controversial. Don't think you'll find it on YouTube.

@robertwiles8106

40w↑6

@@sireuchre has it been wiped? That's too bad. I saw the old version with all the blacklit blackface on youtube, not all that long ago. In the last 5 years.

@jessicaolsen7582

39w↑2

This shit never gets old!❤😂❤ 2:31

@demonpoison13

37w↑1

It's a beautiful song n great video

@ajaugenti1976

36w↑1

I love it too!!!!!!!💃🎶

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@GrubWarp

4w↑18

real ones know that is is not the official video.

@TheWumpMan

2w↑1

What's the official video then?

@JennieLaurie

15w↑8

I'm contemporary to this version and never realized how brilliant it is, even though I'm a total horror fan. Excellent in every way.

@Peridot_-fan

1y↑143

93 years and its still a banger

@PabloPerez-ed9gp

1y↑5

😎✨✨✨

@vikcxi6666

49w↑1

for real!

@awkwardsavage

1y↑682

Played this on a jukebox in a bar last weekend. Everybody in the bar was roughly in their early to late 20s….whole place was jumping. Classic song that has withstood the test of time.

“Downtown, Uptown, get your kicks at the Ritz.”

@user-tp5yb4hr4w

1y↑10

I like the beginning of this song mostly, but towards the middle and or end, it gets kind of weird and creepy and cringy lol, funny enough still like the song even though the creepy weird cringy stuff is involved.

@homersimpson2159

1y↑10

You forgot to mention you were at a gay bar

@awkwardsavage

1y↑20

@@homersimpson2159 glad you remembered

@homersimpson2159

@@awkwardsavage It was a deduction not a memory.

@awkwardsavage

1y↑7

@@homersimpson2159 more like ducking from the truth lol

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@val-vishkatheenthraller

11w↑2

I can't get over how nostalgic this song is. Takes me back

@Queen_Cnidarian

12w↑2

Love the choreography. He moves so slowly, but very deliberately and calmly. It’s perfect for the character in this song!

@beerlover7460

1y↑85

It’s 2023 and this is still one of the greatest songs ever😄

@redc0rvette

39w↑168

The first time I listened to this song I felt an electric shock go through my body, this is the only song that's made me feel euphoric. I absolutely adore his expressions and body movements, it all just works perfectly. This song will continue to make my day everytime I listen to it.

@sharonbraselton4302

23w

yes reàl magic speel😊

@sharonbraselton4302

21w

thats hyoertizinbg nagiç soeel

@sharonbraselton4302

21w

hyrtizubg ñagu sóeekl

@Happypuppyz

4w↑6

Why are songs in the 80s way better then songs today

@sergiocostasrodriguez3731

11w↑3

Found by chance this video, and man... It's great! I love this version.

@beckyhicks5889

1y↑55

I remember when this song hit the charts in October of 83. I was 14 and my Dad surprised me with the album that accompanied this song. He drove to Houston Texas to Cactus Records and bought it for me. Sweet memories and good times.

@issaugokikasetes

1y↑1

on vinyl?

@pipz420

Because this song older than the 80s and reminded your dad of his childhood.

@aboba8606

Oh, you're from USA?

@markbilski8045

1y↑1

Feb of 83

@sharonbraselton4302

23w

good for him

@ricktheexplorer

1y↑46

This is one of the songs that made the 80's so magical. Gotta Dance.

@chriss2295

9w↑1

This showed up my feed and I'm not disappointed. I was a little kid when this came out and was transfixed then as am I now. Truly original.

@QualityEditz

17w↑4

For some reason, I always listen to this song because his voice is kind of satisfying, espicially the part puttin on the ritz 😅

@wetsockfullofhotmeat

1y↑84

My parents were 80s kids, so I grew up listening to a lot of 80s songs like this. I'm convinced it's what made synth pop one of my favorite genres

@thirstfast1025

1y↑2

lol your name is awesome. Keep it Ritzy!

@nicholassullivan1239

1y↑2

Don't underestimate the vocal talents of the time.
Still a time when you needed top quality vocals (unlike 90's-present).

@BlitzBat313

1y↑2

@@nicholassullivan1239 Do wish more music focused on vocals nowadays. You get some gems but a lot of singers are lacking in one department or another. I still like the music, but it just feels a little like it's missing something.

@sharonbraselton4302

23w

master cgef was aroubfd kid 1980 bir dexember 26 1975

@sharonbraselton4302

20w

need go byrdines fash skmhow naguc show fashiñ show midel was chef gurjfribd

@jag9608

1y↑86

I was a kid when this came out. I remember blasting it on my stereo and pretending that I tapped danced well. I love it still. It's timeless. One of my favorite songs.

@PITviper217

12w↑4

OMG I haven’t heard this in almost 20 years. I remember as a fifth grader in gym class we would practice these dances and this was one song we would dance to and it was my favorite. YouTube algorithm over here smacking me with nostalgia…

@skkahl3400

6w↑3

First time seeing the video! Always loved this version of the song.

@electraheart7745

38w↑367

Nothing beats this 80s synth

@laurahall3094

29w↑3

So great ! The original is great too, this just takes it to 11!!

@abbb4460

21w↑1

I was just listening to Jungkook's song Standing Next To You Band Version, I knew there was something familiar. It was this song!😮😊

-90's baby listening to everything from the rat pack, to the gogos, Fred Astaire, to even Paramore, and The Beatles, and yes, even BTS and even Day6, and the rest of Kpop.😁😅

@Jellysem_06

21w↑3

super duper

@wren__7

20w↑1

@@abbb4460I’ve literally come here just from listening to SNTY because I kept getting reminded of the cool instrumental in this song!! army’s 🔛🔝

@nathanrobinson3116

14w

Uhhhlot of things do.

@ChaosAngelMoon

1y↑17

His appearance gives me Dr Frank N. Furter vibes and I'm here for it!

I love his expressions and gestures!

@KodieTheAussieBrony94

Me too

@johnmay1109

11w↑3

Amazingly theatrical performance. Very talented.

@claytonshackleford5088

16w↑3

One of the most underrated of all time…Did you see the cat break a tap dance routine out in the middle of the song??? We need a Taco come back!!

@peterjv8748

16w

I saw a rat towards the end. No cats though. :(

@rackaribs

41w↑432

This is such an amazing song. I love Taco's new approach to this remake. His voice is so captivating and interesting, and the Gary Cooper part is probably one of my favorite parts of the song. Well done!

@Taco

41w↑101

Thanx mate!

@hoodoo2001

40w↑33

The crazy thing was that Gary Cooper and Park Avenue was not in the original rendition... the song was about Black Harlem and Lennox Avenue.

@YourFriend2527

32w↑6

@@Taco thank taco your music so good i just discovert it this year

@Iveseenhing124

22w↑4

@@TacoHowdy, old crooner.

@Taco

22w↑9

@@Iveseenhing124 Hidyho my friend

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@xj770HUN

32w↑33

I love how Taco takes care about his fan base! He is still checking the comments

@Maraple_1707

16w↑15

@user-oq4jp6dj7q

9w↑2

I can listen to this song all day! Best song I've heard!

@MoparMan-ff8fb

27w↑12

I was born in 1978 and as a little kid growing up in the 80s in Des Moines Iowa got to see / listen to all these songs /videos on MTV . still love this song . brings back memories/ nostalgia from my childhood. I live in the branson missouri area since 89 and our local radio station 98.1 plays this song . Thanks so much Taco for the Awsome songs and memories 😎🎶🎵

@againes9844

26w

From MO too. Close to Branson !

@human8584

26w

Love from Des Moines ❤

@JasonNation72

1y↑38

I almost forgot how cool this song still is.

@RobinFlysHigh

😀

@ipekshev

4w↑3

Taco is the best! ❤

@Wesley_C

8w↑1

This song is timeless, such a mysterious vibes.

@Rain-Dirt

41w↑56

I'm glad Taco revived/revamped this song. The cover is not only a nice production/interpretation, but it also is a lovely piece of parody on "history".
The original song was officially registered as an unpublished song in 1927, so it is almost 100 years old!

@mishroeder9490

40w↑2

I believe a family member of mine had the original on record, guess it was my grandma! good remake tho

@brewcitymike1

40w

i thought it was originally done by Irving Berlin?

@Rain-Dirt

40w↑2

@@brewcitymike1 Irving made the song indeed in 1927, albeit still unpublished.
That is still correct. Harry Richman and Fred Astaire also made a recording during the time Irving finished his movie with the song in it. (coins coins coins)
Taco made his own version in 1982.

@ChaosAngelMoon

1y↑46

Man, this song is still in my head even months later. It has this eerie, disillusioned vibe with a catchy rhythm that captivates the brain and I still love it!

@mikelwaters

15w↑2

the synths the voice. all its wonderful

@jaredt.murphy8257

18w↑2

The root word of decadence - is decay.

A timeless piece, indeed! Bravo, forevermore, Taco!

@OscarBravoUSA

33w↑40

Starting at 3:06, snippets of four Irving Berlin songs. A musical tribute, I suppose.
"Always"
"White Christmas"
"Alexander's Ragtime Band"
"There's No Business Like Show Business"

Very well done.

@Taco

33w↑27

YEP!U nailed it!

@bradleycotton3237

24w↑1

I didn’t know what the first song was until now.

@krjames203

29w↑50

I always loved the vocal processing in this song. When you heard the song on the radio back in the '80s, it sounded like it was one step removed from reality, or one step further into the past. You didn't so much hear it on the radio as "hear it on the radio."