Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)

"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" has been assumed to have sampled the 1982 Fat Larry's Band song "Act Like You Know"; but in fact, it samples the 1981 The Whatnauts song "Help Is on the Way", that replays the same bassline as "Act Like You Know". The chorus of "Ring Ring Ring" is, an interpolation of the Curiosity Killed the Cat song "Name and Number". The bass in the introduction comes from Lou Johnson's "Beat" and the drum break is from The Honey Drippers' "Impeach the President". The single version's saxophone is original.

In a retrospective review, Justin Chadwick from Albumism described "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" as "undeniably irresistible", noting that the song is driven by "astute commentary", "unabashed sarcasm" and a "rousingly rhythmic groove". He complimented the chorus as "memorable", stating that it is a "further testament to De La Soul and Prince Paul's uncanny penchant for merging obscure samples with more familiar fare to craft instantly unforgettable tunes that stick with you."{{cite web|first= Justin |last= Chadwick |title= De La Soul's 'De La Soul is Dead' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective |publisher= Albumism |date= May 10, 2016 |accessdate= November 16, 2020 |url= https://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-25-years-of-de-la-soul-is-dead}} Steve Huey from AllMusic remarked that it "complains about being harassed into listening to lousy demo tapes."{{cite web|first= Steve |last= Huey |title= De La Soul – De La Soul Is Dead |publisher= AllMusic |date= |accessdate= November 7, 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/de-la-soul-is-dead-mw0000266894}}

Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard felt that the rap trio "returns with a funk-driven workout that benefits from a cute and contagious chorus—not to mention group's signature clever wordplay."{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |title= Single Reviews |magazine= Billboard |date= May 18, 1991 |page= 87 |accessdate= October 23, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB1991.pdf |author-link= Larry Flick}} Irish Evening Herald stated that the single "shows that the trio still have the imagination to bring off the big one."Evening Herald. April 26, 1991. p. 42. Everett True from Melody Maker named it Single of the Week, writing, "So De La Soul are back — tear up that ticker-tape, roll out them barrels, find yourself a megaphone and prepare to storm the barricades. It's an occasion, understand? A happening. A joyous event to be broadcast from each and every window, as and when you find them."{{cite magazine|first=Everett|last=True|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52330069249/|title=Singles|magazine=Melody Maker|date=April 13, 1991|page=34|access-date=April 29, 2023|author-link=Everett True}} Pan-European magazine Music & Media named it one of two "best tracks" of De La Soul Is Dead.{{cite magazine|first=|last=|title=New Releases: Albums|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-05-18.pdf|magazine=Music & Media|date=May 18, 1991|page=12|accessdate=December 13, 2022}} Record Mirror said, "Using, of all things, a Curiosity Killed The Cat song for its chorus. Chunky and funky."{{cite magazine|first=|last=|title=Cool Cuts|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/51391332475/in/album-72157719706153454/|magazine=Record Mirror|date=April 6, 1991|page=34|accessdate=December 13, 2022|author-link=}} Miranda Sawyer from Smash Hits gave "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" six out of ten, adding, "It sounds most pleasant and as usual is chirruped along by an effortless groove and wiggy lyrics, but, well, it's not in the same league as "Eye Know" or "Mama Gave Birth" because there's not enough twiddly bits and that's always a mistake in a rap record."{{cite magazine|first=Miranda|last=Sawyer|title=Review: Singles|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/smashhits90s/43475400614/in/album-72157700149192774/|magazine=Smash Hits|date=April 17, 1991|page=43|accessdate=December 13, 2022|author-link=Miranda Sawyer}} Bob Mack from Spin stated that "the music and delivery are fresh as ever. But the subject matter—a gripe about would-be rappers bugging De La to get their demos signed—seems out of place and a smidge arrogant."{{cite magazine|first=Bob|last=Mack|title=Singles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ECECiLZfOMC|magazine=Spin|date=May 1991|page=77|access-date=January 25, 2023}}

A black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single, directed by American director Mark Romanek. It features the members of De La Soul and producer Prince Paul in a cameo as an artist trying to hand them his tapes.

• This song was interpolated on Jaheim's 2009 single, "Ain't Leavin Without You".
• The 2013 Little Mix single "How Ya Doin'?" uses the same lyrics which "Ring Ring Ring" uses.

All 3 songs use the same beat from "Help Is on the Way".

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• 12" maxi, Europe

1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (party line mix) (6:56)
2. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (extended decision U.S. mix) (5:15)
3. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (piles and piles of demo taped bi-da miles - Conley's decision) (4:05)

• 12" maxi, US

1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (extended decision) (5:15)
2. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (radio decision) (3:59)
3. "Piles And Piles of demo Tapes Bi-Da Miles (Conley's Decision)" (4:05)
4. "Afro Connection At A Hi 5 (In The Eyes Of The Hoodlum)" (3:42)

• 7" single

1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Party Line Edit) (4:05)
2. "Ring Ring Ring (piles and piles of demo taped bi-da miles - Conley's decision) (4:05)

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• CD maxi

1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (party line edit) (4:05)
2. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (party line mix) (6:56)
3. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (extended U.S. mix) (5:15)
4. "Ring Ring Ring" (piles and piles of demo taped bi-da miles) (3:35)

• CD maxi / 12" maxi - Remixes

1. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (CJ's alternative mix) (5:10)
2. "Afro Connection At A Hi 5" (3:42)
3. "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (sax mix) (5:10)

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• "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (LP Version) (5:06)
• "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Radio Decision) (3:59)
• "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (CJ's Alternative Mix) (5:10)
• "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Party Line Edit) (4:05)
• "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Party Line Mix) (6:56)
• "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Extended Decision U.S. Mix) / (Extended Decision Mix) / (Extended U.S. Mix) (5:15)
• "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Piles and Piles of Demo Taped Bi-Da Miles - Conley's Decision) (4:05)
• "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Sax Mix) (5:10)

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=June 5, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=De La Soul|title=Ring Ring Ring|award=Gold|relyear=1991|id=1991-09-20|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=1991}}

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{{Reflist|2}}

• {{YouTube|6-JOVXZePQk|"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" Music video}}

{{De La Soul}}

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Category:1991 songs

Category:1991 singles

Category:De La Soul songs

Category:Music videos directed by Mark Romanek

Category:Black-and-white music videos

Category:Music Week number-one dance singles

Category:Number-one singles in Finland

Category:Number-one singles in Greece

Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland

Category:Song recordings produced by Prince Paul (producer)

Category:Tommy Boy Records singles

Category:Songs written by David Jude Jolicoeur

Category:Songs written by Vincent Mason

Category:Songs written by Kelvin Mercer

Category:Songs written by Prince Paul (producer)

Category:Songs about telephone calls