THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
330-Frankie Smith-Double Dutch Bus.
1981-It has never charted in the UK.
Best Bit-At 1.44. The ‘slang’ language used in this song would become a staple in ‘Hip-Hop’ music, with artists such as Snoop Dogg, (see also best songs 544) and Jay Z, (see also best songs 636-477 and 23) being amongst those influenced.
Frankie Smith was born Franklyn Leon Smith, on January 29th, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, he died on March 8th, 2019, at the age of 79. Frankie Smith along with this songs co-writer Bill Bloom had both been employed in the early 1970’s at ‘Philadelphia International Records,’ where they worked with some of the labels top acts including the O’Jays, (see also best songs 648) and The Detroit Spinners, (see also best songs 834) but it wasn’t until they released this track that they found major success. The discography of Frankie Smith includes two Albums, ‘Children of Tomorrow,’ (1981) and ‘Frankie Smith and His World Wide Party Crew,’ (2006) and eight singles released between 1980-1985. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Double Dutch Bus’ is his only charting single, peaking at Number 30, it also made the Number 1 spot on the ‘Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles’ chart. The song also found commercial success in the Netherlands, where it reached Number 7, and in Belgium, where it made Number 19.
‘Double Dutch Bus’ was co-written, and co-produced by Frankie Smith and Bill Bloom, and was the first of four singles released from Frankie Smith’s debut studio Album ‘Children of Tomorrow,’ from 1981. The 12 inch single was certified ‘Gold’ in 1981 for sales of over 500,000, making it just the second 12 inch single at that time to earn the certification, the first was ‘No More Tears (Enough Is Enough’) by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer from 1979.’ Bill Bloom who was born William A. Bloom, on December 10th, 1948, is an American songwriter and musician, who was a staff writer, and producer for ‘Philadelphia International Records,’ and ‘WMOT Records,’ which was also based in Philadelphia. Bloom also co-wrote and co-produced with Frankie Smith the ‘Children of Tomorrow’ Album, as well as working with some of ‘Philadelphia International Records’ biggest names, including ‘Archie Bell & The Drells,’ (see also best songs 571) ‘The Jones Girls,’ and Jean Carn.
‘Double Dutch Bus’ is probably best remembered for it’s use of slang which was used by African/American pimps and hustlers in the 1970’s. The ‘iz-izzle-izzo-ilz’ speak was originally developed by African/Americans in the 1920’s, with hot spots of the speak in Oakland, New York City, and Philadelphia. It was partially developed as young African/American girls improvised chants and nursery rhymes while jumping with rope, with the ‘iz’ dialect serving to add syllables when necessary to maintain the rhythm. The Rapper Snoop Dogg (see also best songs 544) is probably the best known artist who uses the ‘slang’ in his music, and his everyday speech. Another good example is Jay Z, (see also best songs 636-477 and 23) who in 2001 had a hit with ‘Izzo (H.O.V.A.’) (Billboard Number 8 & UK Number 21) where he spells out ‘HOVA’ in ‘izzle-speak.’ The bus that Frankie Smith was rapping about is a very common sight in Philadelphia, having been inaugurated by the ‘Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’ (SEPTA) in 1964, with around 200 of them now in service. The skipping game of ‘Double Dutch’ originated amongst Dutch immigrants in New York City, in the early 1900’s, it’s popularity spread across America, and today sporting competitions are held worldwide.
‘Double Dutch Bus’ which is a fine example of ‘Old-school Hip-Hop,’ which is also spelled ‘Old skool,’ and is also known as ‘Disco-Rap,’ is the earliest commercially recorded ‘Hip-Hop’ music (see also best songs 523) and the original style of the genre. It typically refers to the music created around 1979-1983, as well as any ‘Hip-Hop’ that does not adhere to contemporary styles. Prominent artists in the genre who appear on this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list include, ‘Grandmaster Flash,’ (see also best songs 523-290 and 87) The Sugarhill Gang,’ (see also best songs 17) and ‘Run DMC (see also best songs 305 and 113.) Much of the subject matter of ‘Old-school Hip-Hop’ centres around partying and having a good time, but the release of ‘The Message’ (see also best songs 290) in 1982, credited to ‘Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five,’ marked the arrival of ‘Hip-Hop’ as social commentary, making it possible for future artists like Public Enemy, (see also best songs 578 and 37) and N.W.A (see also best songs 564 and 128) to create an identity based on socially conscious themes in later years. In the 2009 book ‘How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC,’ by Paul Edwards, the American Rapper ‘Immortal Technique’ explains how party content played a big part in ‘Old-school Hip-Hop,’ ‘Hip-Hop was born in an era of social turmoil… in the same way that slaves used to sing songs on a plantation… that’s the party songs that we used to have.’
In ‘Double Dutch Bus’ Frankie Smith is rapping about a ‘Funky’ bus where everybody’s getting down. He misses his bus and has to walk 15 blocks to get to work. Frankie Smith has said of the song, ‘Double Dutch’ is a tribute to all the girls in the world, especially the girls on my block. I’ve been watching them for 25 years, they use their mothers clotheslines to play the game, it’s an art. It’s a tribute to them, they’re really good at it.’
‘Hizzey gizzirls y’izzall hizave t’ mizzove izzout the wizzay sizzo the gizzuys can plizzay bizzasketbizzal.’ (‘Hi girls, you have to move out the way so the guys can play basketball.’)