Darla dirladada

"Darla dirladada"
Single by Dalida
from the album Ils ont changé ma chanson
B-side	"Diable de temps"
Released	1970
Format	7" single
Genre	Pop
Length	3:15
Label	Sonopresse
Writer(s)	Boris Bergman, Guinis Jean Musy

"Darla dirladada" is a traditional song, originating from the island of Kalymnos in Greece.

Origins

It was conceived as a song that sponge divers would sing when traveling with their caïque boats across the seas. The song's lyrics contain words of encouragement and the opportunity awaiting the crew.^[1]

One of the most notable recordings is that performed by Pantelis Ginis, a Kalymnian sponge diver captain, who, in his version, is making a reference to another respected diver captain, Manolis (Emmanuel) Theodosiou, whose nickname was 'Kobalis'. Ginis, in his version, relates the time Kobalis walked into a coffee shop where Ginis was singing Darla dirladada.

Modern versions

In 1970 the song was recorded by Italian-Egyptian-French singer Dalida. It was released as a single from her album Ils ont changé ma chanson, on which it features as the sixth track. Dalida also recorded the song in the English-language.

The song has been covered by the Dutch singer Marva.^[2] The most notable cover version, so far, is that of G.O. Culture in 1993, which became a huge hit in France.

Dalida version

Track listings

7" single

1. "Darla dirladada" — 3:15
2. "Diable de temps" — 2:30

7" maxi - 1996 release

1. "Darla dirladada" (disco 96 mix) — 6:55
2. "Darla dirladada" (sirtaki mix) — 4:04

G.O. Culture version

"Darla dirladada"
Single by G.O. Culture
B-side	"Powe a Wanda" + Remix
Released	June 1993
Format	CD single, CD maxi 12" maxi, Cassette
Genre	Eurodance
Length	3:17
Label	Scorpio, Warner Music
Writer(s)	Boris Bergman, Jean Musy Ginis Pantelis
G.O. Culture singles chronology
"Darla dirladada" (1993) "Na Na Na" (1993)

In 1993, the band G.O. Culture covered the song in a house and techno version. In France, this version was a success in discothèques and in terms of sales. Lyrics are completely changed and refer to Patrice Leconte's film, Les Bronzés. ^[3] The single was the major summer hit in France and stayed for 29 weeks in the top 50, 22 of them in the top ten. It is to date the 847th best-selling single of all time in France.^[4] The music video shows the singers performing the song on a beach and on a boat. Several remixes were produced by French band Pleasure Game. This cover version has been covered in turn by K.O. Culture in 2006 in a remixed version.

Track listings

CD single

CD maxi

1. "Darla dirladada" (tropical club mix radio edit)
2. "Darla dirladada" (tropical club)
3. "Darla dirladada" (techno dance mix)
4. "Powe a Wanda"

Cassette

1. "Darla dirladada"
2. "Powe a Wanda"

12" maxi

1. "Darla dirladada"
2. "Darla dirladada" (maxi version) — 5:39

Certifications and sales

Country	Certification	Date	Sales certified	Physical sales
France[5]	Gold	February 22, 1994	250,000	397,000[6]

Charts

Chart (1993)	Peak position
French SNEP Singles Chart[7]	1

References

1. One version of the lyrics is on this website
2. Marva's discography, Lescharts.com(Retrieved September 26, 2008)
3. Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, p. 274 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)
4. Best-selling singles of all time in France Infodisc.fr (Retrieved September 26, 2008)
5. French certifications Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved September 26, 2008)
6. G.O. Culture's certifications and sales in France See: "Les Ventes" => "Toutes les certifications depuis 1973" => G O Culture" Infodisc.fr (Retrieved September 26, 2008)
7. "Darla dirladada", French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved September 26, 2008)