Sha-La-La-La-La

This article is about the Walkers song. For the Manfred Mann song, see Sha La La. For the Small Faces song, see Sha-La-La-La-Lee.

"Sha-La-La-La-La" is a song by Danish glam rock band Walkers. The song was co-written by band members Torben Lendager and Poul Dehnhardt. It entered the Danish charts at number eight in the last week of March 1973, and peaked at number two after three weeks, after which it disappeared from the charts. The song achieved worldwide exposure after being covered by Dutch Eurodance group Vengaboys.

"Sha-La-La-La-La"
Danish cover
Single by Walkers
from the album Greatest Hits
B-side	"High School Queen"
Released	30 March 1973
Recorded	1973
Genre	Glam rock
Length	3:00
Label	Philips
Songwriter(s)	Torben Lendager, Poul Dehnhardt
Producer(s)	John Friis
Walkers singles chronology
"(We're Just A) Rock'n'Roll Band" (1973) "Sha-La-La-La-La" (1973) "Fire" (1973)
Alternative cover
German cover
Music video
"Sha-La-La-La-La" on YouTube

Release history

It was initially released in Denmark on 30 March 1973 and later in Germany in May.^[1] It was later included on their Greatest Hits (1976) album.

Charts

Chart (1973)	Peak position
Denmark (Tracklisten)[2]	2

Vengaboys version

"Shalala Lala"
Single by Vengaboys
from the album The Platinum Album and Music from and Inspired by The Little Vampire
B-side	"48 Hours"
Released	21 February 2000 (2000-02-21)
Studio	Violent (Studio 4045) (Hilversum, Netherlands)[3]
Length	3:33
Label	Violent, Breakin', Positiva
Songwriter(s)	Torben Lendager, Poul Dehnhardt
Producer(s)	Danski & DJ Delmundo
Vengaboys singles chronology
"Kiss (When the Sun Don't Shine)" (1999) "Shalala Lala" (2000) "Uncle John from Jamaica" (2000)
Music video
"Shalala Lala" on YouTube

Dutch Eurodance group Vengaboys covered the song as "Shalala Lala" and released it on 21 February 2000, as the second single from their third album, The Platinum Album (2000). It remixes the song with typical Vengaboys synth and drum beats, although it keeps substantially the same tempo. The cover became another hit for the band, topping the charts in New Zealand and Romania and peaking within the top five in at least 10 other countries, including Australia, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Shalala Lala" is modeled after the single cover. It takes place in a fictional Alpine bar named "Wurst & Women". The video primarily focuses on lead vocalist Kim Sasabone performing the song, while women dressed in a skimped-up version of a dirndl dance around. Some men are dressed in lederhosen. The two male group members compete with each other for the affections of Kim Sasabone. After the second verse, the song pauses with a record scratch wherein the two engage in a parody dance battle. The video ends when the bar is raided by the police.^[4]

Track listings

All tracks were written by Torben Lendager and Poul Dehnhardt except "48 Hours", written by Danski & DJ Delmundo.

European CD1[5] "Shalala Lala" (Hitradio mix) – 3:33 "48 Hours" – 4:31 European CD2 and Australian CD single[6][7] "Shalala Lala" (Hitradio mix) – 3:33 "Shalala Lala" (XXL mix) – 5:40 "Shalala Lala" (karaoke version) – 3:30 "Shalala Lala" (Alice Deejay remix) – 5:50 "48 Hours" – 4:31 "Shalala Lala" (banned by the BBC videoclip) – 3:33 UK CD single[8] "Shalala Lala" (Hitradio mix) – 3:34 "Shalala Lala" (Alice Deejay remix) – 5:53 "48 Hours" – 4:34 "Shalala Lala" (video)

UK cassette single[9] "Shalala Lala" (Hitradio mix) – 3:34 "Shalala Lala" (Alice Deejay remix) – 5:53 "48 Hours" – 4:34 Digital download[10] "Shalala Lala" (Hitradio mix) – 3:33 "Shalala Lala" (XXL mix) – 5:40 "Shalala Lala" (karaoke version) – 3:30 "Shalala Lala" (Alice Deejay remix) – 5:50

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2000) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[11] 4 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13] 2 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[14] 10 Czech Republic (IFPI)[15] 8 Denmark (IFPI)[16] 6 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[17] 3 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[18] 17 France (SNEP)[19] 61 Germany (GfK)[20] 3 Ireland (IRMA)[21] 4 Ireland Dance (IRMA)[22] 3 Italy (Musica e dischi)[23] 40 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[24] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[25] 2 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[26] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[27] 5 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[28] 1 Scotland (OCC)[29] 3 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[30] 8 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 5 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 3 UK Singles (OCC)[33] 5

Year-end charts Chart (2000) Position Australia (ARIA)[34] 36 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[35] 5 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[36] 32 Denmark (IFPI)[37] 40 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[38] 24 Germany (Official German Charts)[39] 17 Ireland (IRMA)[40] 43 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[41] 43 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[42] 20 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[43] 8 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[28] 10 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[44] 33 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[45] 21 UK Singles (OCC)[46] 64

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[47]	Gold	35,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[48]	Platinum	50,000*
Belgium (BEA)[49]	Gold	25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[50]	Platinum	500,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[51]	3× Platinum	30,000*
Sweden (GLF)[52]	Gold	15,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[53]	Gold	25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[54]	Silver	200,000^
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Europe	21 February 2000	Maxi-CD	Violent Breakin'	[25]
United Kingdom	28 February 2000	CD cassette	Positiva	[55]
Australia	June 2000	CD	Breakin'	[56]

Notable cover versions

• In 1974, the Cantopop band the Wynners was believed to be the earliest to release a cover version of the song.^[57]
• British pop group Dreamhouse released their version of the song,^[58] which became a hit in Southeast Asia in 1997.
• Thai singer Prissana "Pookie" Praisaeng also released her version of the song,^[59] which over a million copies of cassette sold in 1997.
• Belgian accordionist and singer Matthias Lens recorded a Dutch version of the song for his self-titled album, Matthias Lens, the song peaking at number 46 in Belgium on the Ultratip chart in January 2014.^[60]
• Polish duo Mejk recorded a version of the song, which became a summer hit in Poland in 2019.^[61]

See also

• List of number-one singles from the 2000s (New Zealand)
• List of Romanian Top 100 number ones of the 2000s

References

1. ""Walkers" Udgivelser (Releases)" (in Danish). Retrieved 20 June 2013.
2. "Sha-la-la-la-la by Walkers" (in Danish). Dansk Rockkultur, DanskeHitlister.dk. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
3. The Platinum Album (Dutch CD album liner notes). Vengaboys. Breakin' Records. 1999. KRAK 4015.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. "Vengaboys - Shalala lala". Vengaboys Channel, YouTube. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
5. Shalala Lala (European CD1 liner notes). Vengaboys. Breakin' Records. 2000. KRAK 4022.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. Shalala Lala (European CD2 liner notes). Vengaboys. Breakin' Records. 2000. KRAK 4023.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
7. Shalala Lala (Australian CD single liner notes). Vengaboys. Breakin' Records. 2000. 8883140.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. Shalala Lala (UK CD single liner notes). Vengaboys. Positiva Records. 2000. CDTIV 126, 7243 8 88291 0 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. Shalala Lala (UK cassette single sleeve). Vengaboys. Positiva Records. 2000. TCTIV 126, 7243 8 88291 4 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. "Shalala Lala – EP (Single) – Vengaboys" (in Dutch). iTunes NL Apple. 28 March 2000. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
11. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
12. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
13. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
14. "Vengaboys Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
15. "Hitparada radia – 23/2000" (in Czech). IFPI CR. Archived from the original on 13 June 2000. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
16. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 13. 25 March 2000. p. 10. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
17. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 15. 8 April 2000. p. 15. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
18. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Vengaboys". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 273. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
19. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala" (in French). Les classement single.
20. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
21. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Shalala Lala". Irish Singles Chart.
22. "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 2 March 2000". GfK Chart-Track. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
23. "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 8 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Vengaboys".
24. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 9, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
25. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
26. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala". Top 40 Singles.
27. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala". VG-lista.
28. "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 2000" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005.
29. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
30. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala" Canciones Top 50.
31. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala". Singles Top 100.
32. "Vengaboys – Shalala Lala". Swiss Singles Chart.
33. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
34. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2000". ARIA. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
35. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2000" (in German). Retrieved 11 September 2019.
36. "Jaaroverzichten 2000" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
37. "Års Hitlister 2000: IFPI Danmark: Singles Top 50" (in Danish). IFPI Danmark. Archived from the original on 16 November 2001. Retrieved 8 April 2021 – via Musik.org.
38. "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 52. 23 December 2000. p. 9. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
39. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2000" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
40. "Top 100 of 2000". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the original on 2 June 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
41. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2000". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
42. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2000" (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 June 2018.
43. "End of Year Charts 2000". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
44. "Årslista Singlar, 2000" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
45. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2000" (in German). Retrieved 11 September 2019.
46. "Best Sellers of 2000: Singles Top 100". Music Week. 20 January 2001. p. 25.
47. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
48. "Austrian single certifications – Vengaboys – Shalala Lala" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
49. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2000". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
50. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Vengaboys; 'Shalala Lala')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
51. "New Zealand single certifications – Vengaboys – Sha Lala Lala". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
52. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
53. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Shalala Lala')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
54. "British single certifications – Vengaboys – Shalala Lala". British Phonographic Industry.
55. "New Releases – For Week Starting 28 February, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 26 February 2000. p. 27. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
56. "Vengaboys". EMI Music Australia. Archived from the original on 9 June 2000. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
57. "THE WYNNERS - Sha-La-La-La Lyrics". www.releaselyrics.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014.
58. "'Sha-la-la-la-la': Her synger kontroversiel præsident dansk mega-hit" (in Danish). Ekstra Bladet. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
59. "ย้อนฟังเพลง "My heart goes Sha la la la la" ล้านตลับ" (in Thai). Nation TV. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
60. "Matthias Lens - Shalala Lala" (in Dutch). Ultratop.be. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
61. "Mejk z nowością na koniec wakacji. Sha la la zdąży jeszcze sięgnąć po tytuł hitu lata?" (in Polish). Radio Vox FM. Retrieved 27 November 2019.

External links

• Making of Shalala Lala on YouTube