A truly polarizing Steel City 45 – it’s either Yay or Nay.
For some, this quirky song was minimalist new wave that made them turn up the volume. For others, it was simply annoying and gave them a reason to change the radio station. But it was appealing (and catchy) enough for Volkswagen to use the song in a 1997 commercial called “Sunday Afternoon.”
The full title of the song is Da Da Da, Ich Lieb’ Dich Nicht Du Liebst Mich Nicht Aha Aha Aha. Roughly translated into English, it’s Da Da Da I Don’t Love You You Don’t Love Me Aha Aha Aha.
Trio was from Germany and formed in 1980. Its three members included lead singer, Stephan Remmler, guitarist Gert “Kralle” Krawinkel, and drummer Peter Behrens. They disbanded in 1985. Remmler is the only person still Trio member still alive. Krawinkel died in 2014 of lung cancer. Behrens passed away in 2016.
While “Da Da Da” was an international hit, Trio released several other albums and singles, but they couldn’t match the success of Da Da Da. However, they did have three other Top 10 songs in Germany: “Anna LetMeIn LetMeOut” (1982), “Boom Boom,” and “Hearts Are Trump” (1983).
Stephan Remmler continued his career as a solo artist and also worked in the music industry.
Chart Stats
- In Hamilton (my hometown Top 40 station of choice), #3 November 24, 1982 on the CKOC All Hit 40, spending 5 weeks in the Top 10. Finished at #49 on the CKOC Top 100 of 1982. Never appeared on the CKOC Big 500 Countdown
- #4 CHUM Toronto
- #3 RPM Canada
- It also charted in over 30 countries – but did not chart on Billboard’s Hot 100. It did receive limited airplay on MTV.
I was one of the ones that would turn up the volume of this song back in 1982. My wife, not so much.
What do you think – Yay or Nay?
Sources:
Personal collection of CKOC Charts.
Hall, Ron, The CHUM Chart Book, 1990.
Remmler, Stephan, Personal Website, http://www.stephan-remmler.de/
Wikipedia, Da Da Da, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_Da_Da. Accessed November 22, 2023.
