Bollywood has always been known for making movies with amazing soundtracks that stay on our playlist for years. But while we enjoy these songs, have you ever wondered where the inspiration for these songs comes from? One such song that became a huge hit in the 80s was Zooby Zooby from the movie Dance Dance. This peppy number became an instant favorite among fans, but did you know that it was inspired by a song from a foreign band? Let’s dive into the history of Zooby Zooby and find out which song it copied.
The Inspiration for Zooby Zooby
The song Zooby Zooby was composed by the Indian music director Bappi Lahiri for the Hindi movie Dance Dance that was released in 1987. The combination of the catchy tune and Mithun Chakraborty’s dancing skills made Zooby Zooby one of the biggest hits of the year. But the song did not originate in India, and it actually drew inspiration from a song by a foreign band.
The song that Zooby Zooby copied was Brother Louie by the German pop duo Modern Talking. Brother Louie was released in 1986 and became an instant hit worldwide. It was composed by Dieter Bohlen, the leading member of the band. The song’s upbeat tempo, catchy tune, and Bohlen’s vocals made it a perfect dance number, and it remained on the top charts for several weeks.
The Similarities between Zooby Zooby and Brother Louie
When you listen to Zooby Zooby and Brother Louie, you will find several similarities between the two songs. For instance, the basic tune of the song is strikingly similar, with Zooby Zooby’s opening notes identical to Brother Louie’s. Furthermore, the tempo, beats and even the instruments used in the songs are almost identical, making it clear that Zooby Zooby was heavily influenced by Brother Louie.
Another major similarity between the two songs is the chorus, or more specifically, the word “Louie.” In Brother Louie, the song’s chorus goes “Louie Louie” while in Zooby Zooby, the lyric goes “Zooby Zooby.” The repetition of these catchphrases is what made both songs instant hits with people loving to sing along.
The Controversy
While Zooby Zooby was a huge hit, it was also surrounded by controversy. Several music critics and fans accused Bappi Lahiri of copying Brother Louie, calling Zooby Zooby a blatant rip-off of the German band’s song. The controversy led to Modern Talking filing a lawsuit against Lahiri for copyright infringement.
However, the case was dismissed as there were no international copyright laws in place at that time. Furthermore, Lahiri claimed that he had never heard Brother Louie before composing Zooby Zooby, and that any similarity was purely coincidental.
Conclusion
Zooby Zooby remains one of the most popular songs in Indian music history, despite its controversy over being inspired by a foreign song. Brother Louie, the song that inspired Zooby Zooby, is still regarded as a classic in pop music history. Even though Zooby Zooby copied Brother Louie, it still managed to capture the hearts of people all over India, and that’s a testimony to the song’s popularity and appeal.
In the end, it’s important to remember that music has no borders. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and the beauty of music lies in the unique and personal interpretation each artist brings to their work. Zooby Zooby may have been inspired by Brother Louie, but it’s the way Bappi Lahiri interpreted the song that made it a hit in India.