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Kung Fu Fighting
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| "Kung Fu Fighting" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Carl Douglas | ||||
| from the album Kung Fu Fighting and Other Great Love Songs | ||||
| B-side | "Gamblin' Man" | |||
| Released | August 1974 | |||
| Genre | Disco[1][2] | |||
| Length | 3:15 | |||
| Label | Pye (UK and Canada) 20th Century Fox (US) Astor (Australia) | |||
| Songwriter | Carl Douglas | |||
| Producer | Biddu Appaiah | |||
| Carl Douglas singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Kung Fu Fighting" is a disco song by Jamaican-British vocalist Carl Douglas, written by Douglas and produced by British-Indian musician Biddu.[3] It was released in 1974 as the first single from his debut album, Kung Fu Fighting and Other Great Love Songs (1974), on the cusp of a chopsocky film craze and rose to the top of the British, Australian, Canadian, and American charts, in addition to reaching the top of the Soul Singles chart.[4] It received a Gold certification from the RIAA in 1974[5] and popularized disco music.[6][dubious – discuss] It eventually went on to sell eleven million records worldwide,[2][6] making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. The song uses the 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 one 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. The song was covered (using different lyrics) by CeeLo Green with Jack Black[7] and The Vamps for the first and third films of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, respectively.[8]
Background and composition
[edit]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).[9][10] 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.[3]
After more than two hours recording the A-side and then time for a break, there were only ten minutes of studio time remaining[3] due to a three-hour time constraint for the entire session, so only two takes of "Kung Fu Fighting" were recorded.[6] 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.[6]
Following its release, the song did not receive any radio airplay for the first five weeks and sold poorly, but the song began gaining popularity in dance clubs,[3] eventually entering the UK Singles Chart at number 42 on 17 August 1974 and reaching the top on 21 September, where it remained for three weeks.[11] It was then released in the United States, where it quickly topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[3] The single went on to sell eleven million records worldwide.[6] At the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) Jukebox Awards in 1975, the song was awarded "Jukebox Soul Record of the Year" for being the year's highest-earning soul music song played on jukebox machines in the United States.[12] The song was featured in the 1981 film, This Is Elvis.
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
All-time charts[edit]
|
Sales and certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[43] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[44] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Track listing
[edit]- "Kung Fu Fighting" – 3:15
- "Gamblin' Man" – 3:03
Bus Stop version
[edit]| "Kung Fu Fighting" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Bus Stop featuring Carl Douglas | ||||
| from the album Ticket to Ride | ||||
| Released | 11 May 1998[45] | |||
| Genre | Eurodance[46] | |||
| Length | 3:45 | |||
| Label | All Around the World (UK) | |||
| Songwriter | Carl Douglas | |||
| Producers |
| |||
| Bus Stop singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
British dance act Bus Stop reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart[47] 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 ARIA.[48] The song was featured in the 1999 film Bowfinger.
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Sales and certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[62] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[63] | Platinum | 10,000* |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[64] | Gold | 400,000^ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
[edit]- List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States
- List of Top 25 singles for 1974 in Australia
- List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1974
- List of number-one singles of 1974 (Canada)
- List of number-one singles of 1974 (France)
- List of number-one hits of 1974 (Germany)
- List of number-one singles of 1974 (Ireland)
- List of number-one singles in 1974 (New Zealand)
- List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1970s
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1974
- List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1974
- List of number-one R&B singles of 1975 (U.S.)
- List of number-one singles from the 1990s (New Zealand)
References
[edit]- ^ Huey, Steve. "Carl Douglas – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c d e Bronson, Fred (1988). "Kung Fu Fighting". The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (4th ed.). Billboard Books. ISBN 0-8230-7641-5. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Carl Douglas – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – Kung Fu Fighting". RIAA. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Ellis, James (27 October 2009). "Biddu". Metro. Retrieved 17 April 2011. [unreliable source]
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (12 May 2008). "Jack Black, Cee-Lo cover 'Kung Fu Fighting'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008.
- ^ Rees, Katrina (16 December 2015). "The Vamps are Kung Fu Fighting". CelebMix. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
- ^ "Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas". Songfacts. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th ed.). New York: Billboard Books. p. 385.
- ^ "Carl Douglas". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
- ^ "Freddy Fender captures top JB awards, will play for MOA stage show". Play Meter. Vol. 1, no. 10. October 1975. p. 22. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
- ^ "Australia No. 1 hits -- 1970's". World Charts. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
- ^ "Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3908a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Carl Douglas". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 66. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Kung Fu Fighting". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 42, 1974" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006. Maurienne House. p. 14. ISBN 978-1877443-00-8.
- ^ "Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (D)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ "Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending DECEMBER 14, 1974". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012.
- ^ "The Singles Chart" (PDF). Record World. 14 December 1974. p. 27. ISSN 0034-1622. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 27 March 2019. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Carl Douglas"
- ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1974". Kent Music Report. 30 December 1974. Retrieved 15 January 2022 – via Imgur.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1974" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "The Top 200 Singles of '74". RPM. Vol. 22, no. 19. 28 December 1974. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ "TOP – 1974". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1974" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1974". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1975". Kent Music Report. 29 December 1975. Retrieved 15 January 2022 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade 1975" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 1975" (in Portuguese). Crowley Broadcast Analysis. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1975". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1975". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012.
- ^ "Hot 100 60th Anniversary". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "British single certifications – Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 9 May 1998. p. 31.
- ^ Anderson, Jason (2 November 2012). "Kung Fu hip hop: the legend continues". Toronto Star. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 7065." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 26. 27 June 1998. p. 65. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "Eesti Top 20". Sõnumileht (in Estonian). 21 July 1998. p. 14. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 33. 15 August 1998. p. 19. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1998". ARIA Charts. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 1998". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Bus Stop – Kung Fu Fighting". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Bus Stop ft Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
Kung Fu Fighting
View on GrokipediaBackground
Origins and writing
"Kung Fu Fighting" was written by Jamaican-British singer Carl Douglas in early 1974 while he was working as a session vocalist in London.[8] The song's concept emerged from Douglas observing children performing mock kung fu moves outside a Soho pinball arcade, reflecting the era's growing fascination with martial arts cinema in the West.[9] British-Indian producer Biddu Appaiah, who had previously collaborated with Douglas on the 1972 film soundtrack Embassy, selected him for the project and shaped the track to suit Douglas's smooth vocal delivery during sessions at Pye Studios.[10] Biddu, a pioneering figure in disco production, had scouted Douglas for his versatile voice after writing material that needed a fitting performer.[11] Originally conceived as a quick filler track, "Kung Fu Fighting" was intended as the B-side to Douglas's cover of "I Want to Give You My Everything," but Pye Records executives opted to promote it as the A-side following an enthusiastic response during playback.[9] This decision came after the song was hastily composed and demoed amid the album sessions, capitalizing on its catchy, lighthearted nod to kung fu film trends.[1]Recording and production
"Kung Fu Fighting" was recorded in 1974 at Pye Studios in London.[9] The track, originally conceived as the B-side to "I Want to Give You My Everything," was produced by Biddu in a rushed session with only ten minutes of studio time remaining. Biddu emphasized playful elements like the "huhs," "hahs," and chopping sounds to inject energy into the production, as he later recalled in a 2004 interview. Carl Douglas delivered his lead vocals in two takes, focusing on an energetic style to align with the emerging disco beat and capture the song's lively spirit. The arrangement relied on straightforward instrumentation, featuring a distinctive wah-wah guitar riff and a groovy bassline that drove the track's infectious rhythm.[12] Orchestral strings were overdubbed after the vocals to provide a richer, more layered texture, enhancing the overall disco sound without overwhelming the core groove. This efficient approach, dictated by time constraints, contributed to the song's raw, spontaneous feel that resonated with audiences upon release.Musical composition
Style and influences
"Kung Fu Fighting" is a quintessential disco track infused with funk and novelty elements, characterized by its upbeat tempo of 102 beats per minute and composition in the key of D major. The song's infectious groove aligns with the emerging disco sound of the mid-1970s, featuring prominent bass lines and rhythmic percussion that encourage dancing, while its lighthearted martial arts theme adds a playful, novelty twist that sets it apart from more conventional dance fare.[13][14] Musically, the song employs a straightforward verse-chorus structure, beginning with an energetic intro of vocal ad-libs followed by verses that build tension and choruses that explode into the memorable hook. A standout flute riff, known as the "Oriental riff," provides the prominent hook, driving the track's momentum, while call-and-response vocals in the chorus—such as the echoing "kung fu fighting"—enhance its communal, anthemic feel, making it ideal for both radio play and club environments. This structure, combined with Biddu's production emphasizing layered harmonies and funky instrumentation, captures the era's blend of accessibility and exuberance.[15] The creation of "Kung Fu Fighting" drew heavily from the global surge in popularity of Bruce Lee films and Hong Kong martial arts cinema, particularly after the 1973 U.S. release of Enter the Dragon, which ignited a "kung fu craze" in Western culture and inspired imitations in fashion, dance, and media. The song's concept tapped into this cultural phenomenon, infusing the track with topical humor and energy.[1][16][17] In comparison to contemporaneous disco songs like the Hues Corporation's "Rock the Boat," which emphasized smooth, nautical-themed escapism with its steady groove, "Kung Fu Fighting" distinguishes itself through its exaggerated, comedic martial arts motif, merging the genre's dance-floor appeal with satirical pop culture commentary on the 1970s kung fu obsession. While both tracks exemplify early disco's focus on feel-good rhythms and simple hooks, Douglas's novelty approach added a layer of theatrical flair that propelled it to ubiquity.[18][19]Lyrics and themes
The lyrics of "Kung Fu Fighting" portray a vibrant, chaotic scene in a Chinatown nightclub where dancers suddenly break into martial arts maneuvers, blending the pulsating energy of a disco party with exaggerated kung fu action. The chorus, which drives the song's infectious hook, declares: "Everybody was kung fu fighting / Those cats were fast as lightning / In fact, it was a little bit frightening / But they fought with expert timing," using rhythmic, onomatopoeic phrasing to evoke swift, synchronized combat amid revelry. Verses expand on this imagery with lines like "Funky China men from funky Chinatown / They were chopping them up, down, they were chopping them up-down," presenting kung fu as an "ancient art, a deadly art" that unfolds with playful precision and flair.[20][9] At its core, the song explores themes of cultural fusion, merging Western disco grooves with the rising popularity of Eastern martial arts cinema in the 1970s, particularly the influence of Bruce Lee films that captivated global audiences. Carl Douglas drew inspiration for the lyrics from observing kids mimicking kung fu moves in London's Soho. This reflects a broader Western fascination with Asian action tropes, reimagined through a lens of novelty and excitement rather than authenticity.[1][9][21] The structure employs a simple, repetitive rhyme scheme—relying on short, punchy lines and recurring motifs like "chopping them up, down"—to prioritize catchiness over narrative depth, emphasizing fun and memorability as a novelty track. Although Douglas intended the song as lighthearted entertainment without malicious stereotyping, phrases such as "funky China men" have drawn retrospective criticism for perpetuating racial caricatures and exoticizing Asian identities, contributing to discussions on cultural appropriation in disco-era music.[9][22]Release
Initial release
"Kung Fu Fighting" was first issued as a single in the United Kingdom by Pye Records in August 1974.[23] The track appeared on a 7-inch vinyl format, cataloged as 7N 45377, with a push-out center and silver label text design typical of the era's singles.[23] Originally intended as the B-side to "I Want to Give You My Everything," the song was elevated to the A-side when Pye Records executive Robin Blanchflower heard the recording and insisted it be the lead track.[9] In its final configuration, "Kung Fu Fighting" served as the A-side, backed by "Gamblin' Man" on the B-side, both produced by Biddu.[23] The single's sleeve artwork depicted Carl Douglas striking a dynamic martial arts pose, aligning with the song's thematic content. The release in the UK preceded its American issuance by several months, during which time radio airplay helped generate early momentum for the track.[9] In the United States, 20th Century Records handled distribution later in 1974, maintaining the same 7-inch vinyl format under catalog TC-2140.[24]Promotion and marketing
The promotion of "Kung Fu Fighting" relied on modest efforts by Pye Records, capitalizing on the song's novelty amid the 1970s martial arts craze fueled by Bruce Lee films and the TV series Kung Fu. UK radio DJs played a key role in its early visibility, favoring the song's catchy disco beat and kung fu-themed lyrics over the intended A-side, which sparked organic airplay and word-of-mouth buzz without a large marketing budget.[25] Carl Douglas enhanced its exposure through live TV performances, including an appearance on Top of the Pops in December 1974, where he incorporated choreographed kung fu moves to match the song's playful energy. The track's marketing also leveraged tie-ins with the era's kung fu film screenings and its adoption in disco clubs, where the flute riff and rhythmic "huhs" and "hahs" encouraged dance-floor mimicry of martial arts gestures. In the US, prior to its official release on 20th Century Records, Pye's limited promotional resources meant the single spread via import copies and club play, building anticipation through grassroots enthusiasm before topping the charts.[11]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Kung Fu Fighting" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks, from 21 September to 5 October 1974, and spent a total of 13 weeks on the chart.[26] In the United States, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks commencing 7 December 1974, accumulating 18 weeks on the chart overall. It also achieved number-one status on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[27] Internationally, "Kung Fu Fighting" peaked at number one in multiple countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and Switzerland. It reached number four on the German Singles Chart.[28] The track ranked third on the UK year-end singles chart for 1974 and tenth on the US Billboard year-end Hot 100 for the same year.[29]| Country | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Australia | 1 |
| Austria | 1 |
| Belgium | 1 |
| Canada | 1 |
| France | 1 |
| Germany | 4 |
| Ireland | 1 |
| Netherlands | 1 |
| New Zealand | 1 |
| Norway | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 |
| Switzerland | 1 |
