Shaddap You Face

Joe Dolce

About Shaddap You Face

"Shaddap You Face" is a song written and performed by Joe Dolce (known at the time as the Joe Dolce Music Theatre) about a fictitious rebellious Italian boy. Released in late 1980, it set a number of sales and longevity records. The song is notable for keeping Ultravox's "Vienna" from reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart.


Year:
1998
3:11
100 
#3

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'Allo, I'm-a Giuseppe, I got-a something special-a for you, ready?
Uno, duo, tre, quatro!

When I was a boy just about the eighth-a grade
Mama used to say "don't stay out-a late with the bad-a boys
Always shoot-a pool Giuseppe going to flunk-a school!"
Boy it make-a me sick all the t'ing I gotta do
I can't-a get-a no kicks, always got to follow rules
Boy it make-a me sick just to make-a lousy bucks
Got to feel-a like a fool
And-a mama used to say all-a time

What's-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect?
What-a you t'ink you do, why you look-a so sad?
It's-a not so bad, it's-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!
That's-a my mama, I can remember!

Big accordion solo!
Ah, play 'dat again!
Really nice, really nice!

But soon-a come-a day, gonna be a big-a star
Den I make-a T.V. shows and-a movies
Get-a myself a new car but still I be myself
I don't want-a to change a t'ing
Still a-dance and a-sing
I think-a about-a mama, she used to say

What's-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect?
What-a you t'ink you do, why you look-a so sad?
It's-a not so bad, it's-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!

Mama, she said it all-a da time!

What's-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect?
What-a you t'ink you do, why you look-a so sad?
It's-a not so bad, it's-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!
That's-a my mama!

Hello everybody!
'At's out-a dere in-a radio and-a T.V. land
Did you know I had a big-a hit-a song in-a Italy with-a dis?
Shaddap-a you face, I sing-a dis-a song, all-a my fans applaud, Dey clap-a da hands
Dat-a make me feel-a so good
You ought to learn-a dis-a song, it's-a real-a simple
See, I sing "what's-a matter you?", you sing "hey!"
Den I sing-a da rest and den at de end we can all-a sing
Ah, Shaddap-a you face!
Okay, let's-a try it, really big
Uno, due, tre, quattro!

What's-a matter you? (Hey!) Gotta no respect? (Hey!)
What-a you t'ink you do (Hey!) why you look-a so sad? (Hey!)
It's-a not so bad (Hey!) it's-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!

That's great, we gonna do it better this time!
What's-a matter you? (Hey!) Gotta no respect? (Hey!)
What-a you t'ink you do (Hey!) why you look-a so sad? (Hey!)
It's-a not so bad (Hey!) it's-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!

Okay, one time for mama, everybody!
What's-a matter you? (Hey!) Gotta no respect? (Hey!)
What-a you t'ink you do (Hey!) why you look-a so sad? (Hey!)
It's-a not so bad (Hey!) it's-a nice-a place
Ah, shaddap-a you face!

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Joe Dolce

Joseph "Joe" Dolce ( /ˈdoʊltʃeɪ/, originally /ˈdoʊlts/; born 1947 in Painesville, Ohio) is an American-born, Australian singer/songwriter, poet and essayist who achieved international recognition with his multi-million-selling song, "Shaddap You Face", released under the name of his one-man show, Joe Dolce Music Theatre, in 1980. The single reached number one in 15 countries, it has sold more than 350,000+ copies in Australia, remaining the most successful Australian produced single in music history for over thirty-two years and selling an estimated six million worldwide. It reached No. 1 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart for eight weeks from November 1980. The track kept Ultravox's "Vienna" off the number one singles spot in the United Kingdo… more »

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Written by: JOSEPH DOLCE, LAWRENCE KRSONE PARKER

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Release
"Shaddap You Face" is a song written and performed by Joe Dolce, an American-Australian singer-songwriter and poet. It was released in Australia in 1980, selling over 350,000 copies.
Chart Success
The song topped the Australian Kent Music Report for eight weeks, becoming the most successful Australian-produced single in Australian music history at that time.
UK Records
It was also tremendously popular in the UK, where it went on to become the third best-selling single of 1981 and holds the distinction of being the most successful single by an Australian artist in UK chart history.
Worldwide Sales
The song had tremendous worldwide success, selling over six million copies and topping the charts in about 15 countries, making it one of the most successful Australian songs ever.
Song Origin
The song is a light-hearted look at Italian family life and was inspired by Joe Dolce's Italian background.
Language Use
Besides English, the song includes Italian American and other Italian dialects, phrases, and icons.
Controversial Reaction
Despite its commercial success, "Shaddap You Face" received mixed reviews from critics and listeners, ranging from accusations of racial stereotyping to high praise for its catchy tune and humorous lyrics.
Blocked Hits
Interestingly, "Shaddap You Face" famously denied a number one spot on the UK charts to Ultravox's "Vienna," a song now often cited among the greatest number two hits in UK chart history.
Cover Versions
The song's popularity led to many cover versions in different languages, ranging from German to Yiddish. Even a punk version by The Toy Dolls.
Continued Success
More than three decades after the song's release, Dolce continues to perform "Shaddap You Face" at concerts—it remains his most successful and well-known song.
Musical Adaptation
The song was adapted into a stage musical in 2002, further attesting to its wide appeal and popularity.
Song Style
The style of the song combines music hall traditions with a unique brand of quirky humor that Dolce is known for, making it instantly recognizable to many listeners.

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    Shaddap You Face

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1981

    Billboard #53


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