# Doop (song)

"Doop" is an instrumental by Dutch Eurodance group Doop. It was released on 28 February 1994 by Clubstitute as the first single from their debut album, Circus Doop (1994). The song consists of a Charleston-based big band number set against a house backing track. "Doop" achieved success in several countries, including the United Kingdom, where it spent three weeks atop the UK Singles Chart. Two main versions (each with its own corresponding radio edit) were issued under the names of two different big bands, with the "Urge 2 Merge radio mix" combining sections of both. In 2005, the song was covered by Looney Tunez vs. Doop.

## Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "European pop smash finally gets a shot at stateside success. Mostly instrumental romp combines a steady dance beat with classic ragtime music to blasting effect. Crashing cymbals and brassy horns will keep the summer vibe alive on top 40 and rhythm-crossover radio. Icing on the cake are 'doop-doop' vocal samples and live marching drum rolls." Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger noted that "while it's never anything more than 'the Charleston with a donk on it', it's also far more generous with its hooks and energy than one-line descriptions suggest. It does enough with its squealing horns and showy, tumbling drum samples that the entry of the scoo-be-doo vocals feels like a delightful bonus."
In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "Quite why a piece of instrumental jazz should have become so big is really one to puzzle at, yet it is an astoundingly brilliant record and as a national talking-point has to be fancied for a No.1 position next week." Maria Jimenez from Music & Media remarked that the single "takes the old charleston and drops it into a '90s dance music context." Andy Beevers from Music Week rated the song four out of five, adding that "this unlikely combination of Nineties house sounds and Twenties Charleston/ragtime rhythms" has been "creating dancefloor mayhem ever since." He concluded, "There is bound to be strong DJ demand for the track, which could crossover in a big way thanks to its novelty value." Sylvia Patterson from Smash Hits gave "Doop" three out of five, writing, "Ludicrously catchy mickey-mouse rave-up sensation featuring someone playing the spoons, someone on the party blower with a feather on the end of it and Rolf Harris on the stylophone." In 2011, the song placed third in an NME list of the "25 most annoying songs ever".

## Chart performance

"Doop" peaked at number one in the United Kingdom for three weeks in March 1994, starting from its second week on the UK Singles Chart. It also topped the UK Dance Singles Chart. The single entered the top-10 of the charts in Finland (3), Germany (6), Hungary, Ireland (2), Norway, Poland, Spain (3), and Switzerland (2), as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where the song peaked at number three. Additionally, "Doop" was a top-20 hit in Austria (16), Denmark (13), France (13) and the Netherlands (11). Outside Europe, the song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, number five in Australia, and the top 10 in Israel. The single was awarded with a gold record in Australia and the United Kingdom.

## Music video

The accompanying music video for "Doop" was directed by Czar. Mick Green from Cash Box commented, "The accompanying video features two girl singers in flapper dresses dancing their own version of the Charleston and a dancer in top hat and tails carrying an imaginary cane, twisting and sliding in a modern variation of the original steps. It has caused a dance sensation, and in clubs throughout the UK youngsters are copying or making up their own steps. They used to say 'bop until you drop,' now it appears to be 'doop until you're pooped!'" Sylvia Patterson from Smash Hits said, "This lot did that quite good video with the turntables that turned into the word "doop"." The video was A-listed on Germany's VIVA in April 1994.

## Certifications

Certifications for "Doop" :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Gold | 35,000$^^$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Gold | 400,000$^^$ |
| $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Doop" :
| Region | Version | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) |
| United Kingdom | "Doop" | 28 February 1994 | 7-inch vinyl12-inch vinylCDcassette | City Beat |
| United States | "Doop" | August 1994 | 12-inch vinylCD | MCA |
| Japan | "Doop" / "Huckleberry Jam" | 26 April 1995 | CD | Mercury |