For reasons that probably won’t interest you, I came across this entry at Wikipedia for the song “Let’s Go” by The Cars. I was a bit surprised to read this song is supposedly better known as a recording by The Chipmunks. Uh, say what? I’ve been listening to this song on the radio for over 20 years and this is the first I’ve ever even heard of this other version. Even the article spends 2/3rds of its text talking about The Cars version. And really, The Chipmunks as the definitive version of any song? Well, I shouldn’t just complain, I should do my part and edit the article…
Then doubt crept in. I am just one person. Maybe I’ve been living in a blessedly Chipmunks-free bubble since that time. Reading the Wikipedia article for Chipmunk Punk, I see it was a novelty hit, so perhaps I’m mistaken. Why not consult with fellow Dopers before doing anything rash?
So the question is: Which version of “Let’s Go” do you consider definitive- by The Cars or The Chipmunks?
The Cars version is definitive, of course. It’s possible that the Chipmunks version was used on some TV show and thus was the first version some people heard.
You mean Bob Segenthaler didn’t kill JFK?
Obviously, there’s some Chipmunk fan out there who added this to the article. I’ve never heard either version, but it is rather odd. Yet another Wikipedia oddity to add to the list.
It is here that I must confess ignorance; perhaps an underexposure to the Chipmunks as a child (except around Christmastime) - I have no idea what “The Witchdoctor” is.
I owned more Smurf albums than Chipmunks; I’m not sure if I want to admit that aloud or not.
Aye. I had something called Father Abraham in Smurfland (wait, wtf?), some Christmas album, and the Smurfs All Star Show. There was one more album I owned, but I don’t remember the title. All back in the 80s. All frightening.
Is the OP’s link the correct one? Because I just read that article (which is only two paragraphs), and it says nothing about the Chipmunk’s version being more popular, or definitive, or anything. It basically just says, “Here’s a bit about a song by the cars. Oh, and it was also recorded by The Chipmunks a year later.” I’ve never heard of the Chipmunk’s version, but the article seems accurate to me.
If you check out the past contributions by the person who wrote the original article, about 70% of his sizeable output has been Chipmunk-related. Talk about needing to get out more.
The Witchdoctor was Ross Bagdassarian’s number 1 hit before he came up with the idea for the Chipmunks. I guess the Chipmunks might have covered it though. I agree that their only “definitive” song is the “Christmas, Christmas” one. Anyone covering it would be bound to invite comparisons since its real title is “The Chipmunk Song”.
I agree that their only “definitive” song is the “Christmas, Christmas” one. Anyone covering it would be bound to invite comparisons since its real title is “The Chipmunk Song”.