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Kung Fu Fighting

{{short description|1974 single by Carl Douglas}}

{{about|the song|the martial art|Chinese martial arts}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{Use British English|date=February 2012}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Kung Fu Fighting

| cover = KungFuFightingCarlDouglas.jpg

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Carl Douglas

| album = Kung Fu Fighting and Other Great Love Songs

| B-side = Gamblin' Man

| released = 1974

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Disco{{cite web|first= Steve |last= Huey |title= Carl Douglas – Artist Biography |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/carl-douglas-mn0000179423/biography}}

| length = 3:15

| label = Pye (UK and Canada)
20th Century Fox (US)
Astor (Australia)

| writer = Carl Douglas

| producer = Biddu Appaiah

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Dance the Kung Fu

| next_year = 1975

| misc =

}}

"Kung Fu Fighting" is a disco song by Jamaican vocalist Carl Douglas, written by Douglas and produced by British-Indian musician Biddu. 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. It received a Gold certification from the RIAA in 1974{{cite web|title= RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – Kung Fu Fighting |publisher= RIAA |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Kung+Fu+Fighting%22}} and popularized disco music.{{Dubious|date=April 2019}} It eventually went on to sell eleven million records worldwide,{{cite news|first= Malika |last= Browne |title= It's a big step from disco to Sanskrit chants, but Biddu has made it |newspaper= The Sunday Times |location= London |date= 20 August 2004 |access-date= 30 May 2011 |url= https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/asia-travel/india/its-a-big-step-from-disco-to-sanskrit-chants-but-biddu-has-made-it-n796tx7klww}}{{cite news|first= James |last= Ellis |title= Biddu |newspaper= Metro |date= 27 October 2009 |access-date= 17 April 2011 |url= http://metro.co.uk/2009/10/27/biddu-636450/}} {{unreliable source?|sure=yes|date=April 2021|reason=WP:RSP deems Metro (UK) "unreliable".}} 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 by CeeLo Green with Jack Black{{cite magazine|first= Jonathan |last= Cohen |title= Jack Black, Cee-Lo cover 'Kung Fu Fighting' |magazine= The Hollywood Reporter |date= 12 May 2008 |url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i595b48df06c95e2eed05e9c3eb45a08c |archive-date= 17 May 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080517054016/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i595b48df06c95e2eed05e9c3eb45a08c}} and The Vamps for the first and third films of the Kung Fu Panda franchise respectively.{{cite web|first= Katrina |last= Rees |title= The Vamps are Kung Fu Fighting |website= CelebMix |date= 16 December 2015 |access-date= 27 July 2019 |url= https://celebmix.com/the-vamps-get-kung-fu-fighting/}}

Background and composition

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).{{cite web|title= Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas |website= Songfacts |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4572}}{{cite book|first= Fred |last= Bronson |year= 2003 |title= The Billboard Book of Number One Hits |edition= 5th |publisher= Billboard Books |location= New York |page= 385}} 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.{{cite book|first= Fred |last= Bronson |year= 1988 |title= The Billboard Book of Number One Hits |edition= 4th |chapter= Kung Fu Fighting |publisher= Billboard Books |chapter-url= http://www.superseventies.com/sw_kungfufighting.html |isbn= 0-8230-7641-5 |access-date= 30 May 2011 |url= https://archive.org/details/billboardbookofn00fred |url-access= registration}}

After more than two hours recording the A-side and then time for a break, there were only ten minutes of studio time remaining due to a three-hour time constraint for the entire session, so only two takes of "Kung Fu Fighting" were recorded. 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 not 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 number 42 on 17 August 1974 and reaching the top on 21 September, where it remained for three weeks.{{cite web|title= Carl Douglas |publisher= Official Charts Company |access-date= 7 July 2013 |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/15092/CARL%20DOUGLAS/}} 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. 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.{{cite magazine|title= Freddy Fender captures top JB awards, will play for MOA stage show |magazine= Play Meter |date= October 1975 |volume= 1 |issue= 10 |page= 22 |access-date= 4 June 2021 |url= https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-1-number-10-october-1975-600dpi/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%201%2C%20Number%2010%20-%20October%201975/page/20/mode/2up}} The song was featured in the 1981 film, This Is Elvis.

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1974–1975)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web|title= Australia No. 1 hits -- 1970's |website= World Charts |access-date= 10 June 2013 |url= http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/chartfeatures/aus/aus70.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 24 April 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140424142031/http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/chartfeatures/aus/aus70.htm}}

|1

{{single chart|Austria|1|artist=Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|Flanders|1|artist=Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=3908a|rowheader=true|access-date=2 June 2013}}
scope="row"|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book |url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=66|first=Timo |last=Pennanen |year=2021 |title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 |section=Carl Douglas|page=66|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava |location=Helsinki|access-date=21 June 2022}}

|6

{{single chart|Ireland2|1|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=2 June 2013}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|1|year=1974|week=42|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|1|artist=Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
scope="row"|New Zealand{{cite book|first= Dean |last= Scapolo |year= 2007 |title= The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006 |publisher= Maurienne House |page= 14 |isbn= 978-1877443-00-8}}

|1

{{single chart|Norway|3|artist=Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
scope="row"|South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web|title= South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (D) |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= 2 June 2013 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(D).html}}

|1

{{single chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|UK|1|date=19740921|artist=Carl Douglas|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|title= Carl Douglas – Awards |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= 2 June 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/carl-douglas-mn0000179423/awards}}

|1

scope="row"|US Hot Disco Singles (Billboard)

|3

scope="row"|US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)

|1

scope="row"|US Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine|title= CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending DECEMBER 14, 1974 |magazine= Cash Box |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19741214.html |archive-date= 3 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121003013937/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/19741214.html}}

|1

scope="row"|US Record World Singles{{cite magazine|title= The Singles Chart |magazine= Record World |page= 27 |date= 14 December 1974 |access-date= 17 September 2017 |issn= 0034-1622 |url= http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-12-14.pdf}}

|1

{{single chart|West Germany|1|artist=Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|songid=331|year=1974|rowheader=true|access-date=27 March 2019}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1974)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/dY7i5IF|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1974|publisher= Kent Music Report |issue= 29 |via= Imgur |date= 30 December 1974 |access-date= 15 January 2022 }}{{cite web|title= Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1970s |publisher= Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=40276 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131106213449/http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=40276 |archive-date= 6 November 2013}}

|22

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten 1974 |publisher= Ultratop. Hung Medien |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1974 |language= nl}}

|8

scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine|title= The Top 200 Singles of '74 |magazine= RPM |volume= 22 |issue= 19 |date= 28 December 1974 |access-date= 23 March 2019 |url= http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3893a&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3893a.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3893a}}

|18

scope="row"|France (IFOP){{cite web|title= TOP – 1974 |website= Top-france.fr |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://www.top-france.fr/html/annuel/1974.htm |language= fr}}

|5

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|title= Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1974 |publisher= Dutch Top 40 |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1974 |language= nl}}

|9

scope="row"|South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web|title= Top 20 Hit Singles of 1974 |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1974.html}}

|2

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1975)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/8a2fnGs|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1975|publisher= Kent Music Report |issue= 79 |via= Imgur |date= 29 December 1975 |access-date= 15 January 2022 }}

|53

scope="row"|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|title= Jahreshitparade 1975 |publisher= Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://www.austriancharts.at/1975_single.asp |language= de}}

|5

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|title= Top 100 Hits for 1975 |website= The Longbored Surfer |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1975}}

|14

scope="row"|US Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine|title= The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1975 |magazine= Cash Box |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/1975YESP.html |archive-date= 22 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121022102312/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/70s_files/1975YESP.html}}

|11

=All-time charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1958–2018)

!Position

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|title= Hot 100 60th Anniversary |magazine= Billboard |access-date= 22 February 2020 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary}}

|443

{{col-end}}

Sales and certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Carl Douglas|title=Kung Fu Fighting|award=Gold|relyear=1974|certyear=1974|id=3698-3384-1|access-date=6 July 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Carl Douglas|title=Kung Fu Fighting|award=Gold|relyear=1974|certyear=1974}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

Track listing

  1. "Kung Fu Fighting" – 3:15
  2. "Gamblin' Man" – 3:03

Bus Stop version

{{Infobox song

| name = Kung Fu Fighting

| cover = Kung Fu Fighting by Bus Stop.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Bus Stop featuring Carl Douglas

| album = Ticket to Ride

| released = {{start date|1998|5|11|df=y}}{{cite magazine|title= New Releases: Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 9 May 1998 |page= 31}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Eurodance{{cite news|first= Jason |last= Anderson |newspaper= Toronto Star |title= Kung Fu hip hop: the legend continues |date= 2 November 2012 |access-date= 29 May 2014 |url= http://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-star/20121102/282067684194423}}

| length = 3:45

| label = All Around the World (UK)

| writer = Carl Douglas

| producer = {{hlist|Graham Turner|Mark Hall}}

| chronology = Bus Stop

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet

| next_year = 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 ARIA.{{cite web|title= ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles |publisher= ARIA |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-1998.htm}}

=Charts=

{{col-begin|width=74%}}

{{col-2}}

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1998)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|15|artist=Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|Flanders|39|artist=Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|22|artist=Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|Canadadance|11|chartid=7065|rowheader=true|access-date=12 May 2015}}
scope="row"|Denmark (IFPI){{cite magazine|title= Hits of the World |magazine= Billboard |date= 27 June 1998 |issue= 26 |volume= 110 |page= 65 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7w0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22kung+fu+fighting+bus+stop%22&pg=PA65}}

|10

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|title= Eurochart Hot 100 Singles |page= 19 |magazine= Music & Media |volume= 15 |issue= 33 |date= 15 August 1998 |access-date= 20 June 2018 |url= https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-08-15.pdf}}

|50

{{single chart|France|25|artist=Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|12|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=2 June 2013}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|Scotland|6|date=19980607|rowheader=true|access-date=20 June 2018}}
{{single chart|Sweden|20|artist=Bus Stop feat. Carl Douglas|song=Kung Fu Fighting|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014}}
{{single chart|UK|8|date=19980613|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2014|refname="UK"}}

{{col-2}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1998)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|title= ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1998 |publisher= ARIA Charts |access-date= 6 January 2014 |url= http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-1998.htm}}

|40

scope="row"|New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ){{cite web|title= End of Year Charts 1998 |publisher= Recorded Music NZ |access-date= 4 December 2017 |url= https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1998-12-31}}

|7

{{col-end}}

=Sales and certifications=

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Bus Stop|title=Kung Fu Fighting|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=1998}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Bus Stop|title=Kung Fu Fighting|award=Platinum|relyear=1998|id=1998-08-07|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=1998}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Bus Stop ft Carl Douglas|title=Kung Fu Fighting|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=2013|id=3698-3369-1|access-date=6 July 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1974 songs

Category:1974 debut singles

Category:1998 debut singles

Category:British disco songs

Category:Novelty songs

Category:Pye Records singles

Category:20th Century Fox Records singles

Category:All Around the World Productions singles

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Cashbox number-one singles

Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in Australia

Category:Number-one singles in Austria

Category:Number-one singles in France

Category:Number-one singles in Germany

Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand

Category:Number-one singles in South Africa

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles

Category:Chinese martial arts

Category:Song recordings produced by Biddu