Kung Fu Fighting - wikipedia Kung Fu Fighting This article is about the song. For the martial art, see Chinese martial arts. `` Kung Fu Fighting '' Single by Carl Douglas from the album Kung Fu Fighting and Other Great Love Songs B - side `` Gamblin ' Man '' Released Format Vinyl single Genre Disco Length 3 : 15 Label Pye ( UK and Canada ) 20th Century Fox ( US ) Songwriter ( s ) Carl Douglas Producer ( s ) Biddu Appaiah Carl Douglas singles chronology `` Kung Fu Fighting '' ( 1974 ) `` Dance the Kung Fu '' ( 1975 ) `` Kung Fu Fighting '' ( 1974 ) `` Dance the Kung Fu '' ( 1975 ) Audio sample file help `` Kung Fu Fighting '' is a disco song by Carl Douglas, with production by Biddu. It was released as a single in 1974 on the cusp of a chopsocky film craze and rose to the top of the British, Australian and American charts, in addition to reaching the top of the Soul Singles chart. It received a Gold certification from the RIAA in 1974 and popularized disco music. It eventually went on to sell eleven million records worldwide, making it one of the best - selling singles of all time. The song uses the quintessential Oriental riff, a short musical phrase that is used to signify Chinese culture. `` Kung Fu Fighting '' was rated number 100 in VH1 's 100 Greatest one - hit wonders, and number 1 in the UK Channel 4 's Top 10 One Hit Wonders list in 2000, the same channel 's 50 Greatest One Hit Wonders poll in 2006 and Bring Back... the one - hit Wonders, for which Carl Douglas performed the song in a live concert. Contents 1 Production and release 2 Chart performance 2.1 Weekly charts 2.2 Year - end charts 2.3 Sales and certifications 3 Track listing 4 Bus Stop version 4.1 Weekly charts 4.2 Year - end charts 4.3 Sales and certifications 5 References 6 External links Production and release The song was originally meant to be a B - side to `` I Want to Give You My Everything '' ( written by Brooklyn songwriter Larry Weiss and sung by Carl Douglas ). The producer Biddu originally hired Douglas to sing `` I Want to Give You My Everything '' but needed something to record for the B - side, and asked Douglas if he had any lyrics they could use. Douglas showed several, out of which Biddu chose the one that would later be called `` Kung Fu Fighting '' and worked out a melody for it without taking it too seriously. After having spent over two hours recording the A-side and then taking a break, `` Kung Fu Fighting '' was recorded quickly in the last ten minutes of studio time, in only two takes, due to a three - hour time constraint for the entire session. According to Biddu, `` Kung Fu Fighting was the B - side so I went over the top on the ' huhs ' and the ' hahs ' and the chopping sounds. It was a B - side : who was going to listen ? '' After hearing both songs, Robin Blanchflower of Pye Records insisted that `` Kung Fu Fighting '' be the A-side instead. Following its release, the song did n't receive any radio airplay for the first five weeks and sold poorly, but the song began gaining popularity in dance clubs, eventually entering the UK Singles Chart at No. 42 on 17 August 1974 and reaching the top on 21 September, where it would remain for three weeks. It was then released in the United States, where it quickly topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single went on to sell eleven million records worldwide. Chart performance Weekly charts Chart ( 1974 -- 1975 ) Peak position Australia ( Kent Music Report ) Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) France ( IFOP ) Germany ( Official German Charts ) Ireland ( IRMA ) Italy ( FIMI ) Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) New Zealand Norway ( VG - lista ) South Africa ( Springbok Radio ) Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) US Billboard Hot 100 US Billboard Hot Disco Singles US Billboard Hot Soul Singles US Cash Box US Record World Year - end charts Chart ( 1974 ) Position Australia ( Kent Music Report ) 22 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 8 Canada ( RPM Top 200 Singles ) 18 France ( IFOP ) 5 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 9 South Africa ( Springbok Radio ) Chart ( 1975 ) Position Australia ( Kent Music Report ) 53 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 5 Italy ( FIMI ) 10 US Billboard Hot 100 14 US Cash Box 11 Sales and certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales France 748,000 United Kingdom ( BPI ) Gold 500,000 United States ( RIAA ) Gold 1,000,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments figures based on certification alone Chart successions Preceded by `` I Honestly Love You '' by Olivia Newton - John Australian number - one single 16 December 1974 -- 30 December 1974 ( 3 weeks ) Succeeded by `` You 're My World '' by Daryl Braithwaite Preceded by `` Le téléphone pleure '' by Claude François French number - one single 12 November 1974 -- 26 November 1974 ( 3 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Qui pourra te dire '' by Mike Brant Preceded by `` If You Love Me ( Let Me Know ) '' by Olivia Newton - John South African number - one single 22 November 1974 -- 3 January 1975 ( 7 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Longfellow Serenade '' by Neil Diamond Preceded by `` The Wall Street Shuffle '' by 10cc Dutch Top 40 number - one single 19 October 1974 -- 16 November 1974 ( 5 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Sing a Song of Love '' by George Baker Selection Preceded by `` Rock Your Baby '' by George McCrae Single Top 100 number - one single 12 October 1974 -- 23 November 1974 ( 7 weeks ) Austrian number - one single 15 January 1975 -- 15 February 1975 ( 5 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Der Ur - Ur - Enkel von Frankenstein '' by Frank Zander Belgian Ultratop 50 Flanders number - one single 19 October 1974 -- 23 November 1974 ( 6 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Swinging on a Star '' by Spooky & Sue Belgian VRT Top 30 Flanders number - one single 19 October 1974 -- 9 November 1974 ( 4 weeks ) German number - one single 11 November 1974 -- 23 December 1974 ( 7 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Tränen Lügen Nicht '' by Michael Holm Preceded by `` My Melody of Love '' by Bobby Vinton Canadian CHUM number - one single 7 December 1974 -- 21 December 1974 ( 3 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds '' by Elton John Canadian RPM number - one single 21 December 1974 -- 4 January 1975 ( 3 weeks ) Preceded by `` 19 Men '' by Dermot Hegarty Irish Singles Chart number - one single 3 October 1974 -- 10 October 1974 ( 2 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Annie 's Song '' by John Denver Preceded by `` Love Me for a Reason '' by The Osmonds UK Singles Chart number - one single 21 September 1974 -- 5 October 1974 ( 3 weeks ) Preceded by `` Out on the Street '' by Space Waltz New Zealand number - one single 22 November 1974 -- 13 December 1974 ( 4 weeks ) Succeeded by `` You Ai n't Seen Nothing Yet '' by Bachman -- Turner Overdrive Preceded by `` I Can Help '' by Billy Swan US Billboard Hot 100 number - one single 7 December 1974 -- 14 December 1974 ( 2 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Cat 's in the Cradle '' by Harry Chapin Preceded by `` Boogie On Reggae Woman '' by Stevie Wonder US Billboard Hot Soul Singles number - one single 11 January 1975 ( 1 week ) Succeeded by `` You 're the First, the Last, My Everything '' by Barry White Preceded by `` When Will I See You Again '' by The Three Degrees US Cash Box number - one single 14 December 1974 ( 1 week ) Succeeded by `` Angie Baby '' by Helen Reddy Track listing `` Kung Fu Fighting '' ( 3 : 15 ) `` Gamblin ' Man '' ( 3 : 03 ) Bus Stop version `` Kung Fu Fighting '' Single by Bus Stop featuring Carl Douglas from the album Ticket to Ride Released 1998 Format CD vinyl single Genre Eurodance Length 3 : 45 Label All Around the World ( UK ) Songwriter ( s ) Carl Douglas Producer ( s ) Graham Turner Mark Hall Bus Stop singles chronology `` Kung Fu Fighting '' ( 1998 ) `` You Ai n't Seen Nothin ' Yet '' ( 1998 ) `` Kung Fu Fighting '' ( 1998 ) `` You Ai n't Seen Nothin ' Yet '' ( 1998 ) British dance act Bus Stop reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart with their 1998 remix single of `` Kung Fu Fighting '', which sampled the original vocals by Carl Douglas and added rap verses. In Australia, the single received a gold certification from the ARIA. Weekly charts Chart ( 1998 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 15 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 39 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Wallonia ) 22 Canada Dance / Urban ( RPM ) 11 Denmark ( IFPI ) 10 France ( SNEP ) 25 Ireland ( IRMA ) 12 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 20 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 8 Year - end charts Chart ( 1998 ) Position Australia ( ARIA ) 40 Sales and certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Australia ( ARIA ) Gold 35,000 United Kingdom ( BPI ) Gold 400,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments figures based on certification alone Preceded by `` The Boy Is Mine '' by Brandy & Monica New Zealand number - one single 26 July 1998 -- 2 August 1998 ( 2 weeks ) Succeeded by `` Lost in Love '' by Deep Obsession References Jump up ^ Huey, Steve. `` Carl Douglas -- Artist Biography ''. AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 6 January 2014. ^ Jump up to : Browne, Malika ( 20 August 2004 ). `` It 's a big step from disco to Sanskrit chants, but Biddu has made it ''. The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 30 May 2011. ^ Jump up to : Bronson, Fred ( 1988 ). `` Kung Fu Fighting ''. The Billboard Book of Number One Hits ( 4th ed. ). Super Seventies. ISBN 0 - 8230 - 7641 - 5. Retrieved 30 May 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Carl Douglas -- Awards ''. AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` RIAA -- Gold & Platinum Searchable Database -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. RIAA. Retrieved 6 January 2014. ^ Jump up to : Ellis, James ( 27 October 2009 ). `` Biddu ''. Metro. Retrieved 17 April 2011. Jump up ^ `` Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas ''. Songfacts. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ Bronson, Fred ( 2003 ). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits ( 5th ed. ). New York : Billboard Books. p. 385. Jump up ^ `` Carl Douglas ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` Australia No. 1 hits -- 1970 's ''. World Charts. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Top RPM Singles : Issue 3908a. '' RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` Toutes les Chansons N ° 1 des Années 70 's ''. InfoDisc ( in French ). Retrieved 15 May 2017. Jump up ^ `` Offiziellecharts.de -- Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 6 January 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` The Irish Charts -- Search Results -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` HitParadeItalia -- Top10 del 08 Marzo 1975 '' ( in Italian ). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved 2 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting search results '' ( in Dutch ) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ Scapolo, Dean ( 2007 ). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts : 1966 -- 2006. Maurienne House. p. 14. ISBN 978 - 1877443 - 00 - 8. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. VG - lista. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 -- 1989 Acts ( D ) ''. Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` CASH BOX Top 100 Singles -- Week ending DECEMBER 14, 1974 ''. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012... Cash Box magazine. Jump up ^ `` The Singles Chart '' ( PDF ). Record World. 14 December 1974. p. 27. ISSN 0034 - 1622. Retrieved 17 September 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Forum -- ARIA Charts : Special Occasion Charts -- Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts -- 1970s ''. Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Jaaroverzichten 1974 '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Top Singles -- Volume 22, No. 19, December 28, 1974 ''. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` TOP -- 1974 '' ( in French ). Top-france.fr. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 - Jaaroverzicht van 1974 '' ( in Dutch ). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Top 20 Hit Singles of 1974 ''. Rock.co.za. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Jahreshitparade 1975 '' ( in German ). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` I singoli più venduti del 1975 '' ( in Italian ). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved 2 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Hits for 1975 ''. The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` The CASH BOX Year - End Charts : 1975 ''. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012... Cash Box magazine. Jump up ^ `` Les Meilleures Ventes Tout Temps de 45 T. / Singles '' ( in French ). InfoDisc. Retrieved 29 May 2014. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. British Phonographic Industry. Enter Kung Fu Fighting in the search field and then press Enter. Jump up ^ `` American single certifications -- Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH Jump up ^ Anderson, Jason ( 2 November 2012 ). `` Kung Fu hip hop : the legend continues ''. Toronto Star. Retrieved 29 May 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Bus Stop Featuring Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ( CD ) ''. Discogs. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts -- Accreditations -- 2009 Singles ''. ARIA. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting '' ( in French ). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Top RPM Dance / Urban : Issue 7065. '' RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` Hits of the World ''. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 110 ( 26 ) : 65. 27 June 1998. ISSN 0006 - 2510. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts -- End Of Year Charts -- Top 50 Singles 1998 ''. ARIA Charts. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts -- Accreditations -- 1998 Singles ''. Australian Recording Industry Association. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Bus Stop ft Carl Douglas -- Kung Fu Fighting ''. British Phonographic Industry. Enter Kung Fu Fighting in the search field and then press Enter. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kung_Fu_Fighting&oldid=803752053 '' Categories : 1974 songs 1974 singles 1998 singles Disco songs Novelty songs Songs about films Pye Records singles 20th Century Fox Records singles All Around the World Productions singles Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Billboard Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs number - one singles Dutch Top 40 number - one singles Number - one singles in Australia Number - one singles in Austria Number - one singles in France Number - one singles in Germany Number - one singles in New Zealand Number - one singles in South Africa Irish Singles Chart number - one singles RPM Top Singles number - one singles UK Singles Chart number - one singles Ultratop 50 Singles ( Flanders ) number - one singles Songs written by Biddu Debut singles Hidden categories : CS1 French - language sources ( fr ) CS1 Italian - language sources ( it ) CS1 Dutch - language sources ( nl ) CS1 German - language sources ( de ) Use dmy dates from February 2012 Use British English from February 2012 Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Canadatopsingles Singlechart called without artist Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Germany2 Singlechart usages for Ireland2 Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for Norway Singlechart usages for Switzerland Singlechart usages for UK Certification Table Entry usages for France Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom Certification Table Entry usages for United States Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Wallonia Singlechart usages for Canadadance Singlechart usages for France Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart making named ref Certification Table Entry usages for Australia Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Euskara Français 한국어 Italiano Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Svenska 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 4 October 2017, at 11 : 50. 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Question: when did the song kung fu fighting come out
Answer: 1974