Da Funk – Wikipedia

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1995 single by Daft Punk

“Da Funk” is an instrumental track by French electronic music duo Daft Punk, initially released as a single in May 1995 and later included on their debut album, Homework (1997). The song and its accompanying music video directed by Spike Jonze are considered classics of 1990s house music.[2] It went on to sell 30,000 copies in 1997. A reversed clip of “Da Funk” was also released on Homework as “Funk Ad”, which is the final track on the album.

Background[edit]

“Da Funk” was initially released as a 12-inch single on 8 May 1995 under the Soma Quality Recordings label, with the B-side “Rollin’ & Scratchin'”.[3][4] The pressing was limited to 2,000 copies and was “virtually ignored” according to a Muzik magazine feature at the time. The single received a boost in popularity when the Chemical Brothers incorporated it into their live shows. Subsequently, the British duo’s song “Life Is Sweet” was remixed by Daft Punk for a single release in August 1995.[5]

Daft Punk eventually signed with Virgin Records after a bidding war amongst several labels. “Da Funk” was re-released in early 1997 by Virgin with the B-side[6] “Musique”, a track that later appeared on the anthology Musique Vol. 1 1993–2005. The duo’s debut album Homework features “Da Funk” as well as a reversed excerpt titled “Funk Ad”. Daft Punk expressed that they wanted to make the album balanced by distributing tracks evenly across each of the four vinyl sides.[7]

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Composition[edit]

In an interview with Fredrik Strage for Swedish magazine Pop #23, Bangalter revealed that “Da Funk” was made after listening to American G-funk for weeks:

It was around the time Warren G’s “Regulate” was released and we wanted to make some sort of gangsta rap and tried to murk our sounds as much as possible. However, no one has ever compared it to hip hop. We’ve heard that the drums sound like Queen and the Clash, the melody is reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder, and the synthesisers sound like electro and thousand of other comparisons. No one agrees with us that it sounds like hip hop.[8]

The riff was originally a siren sound, but was changed to reflect the “gangsta rap” aesthetic they were trying to achieve. The bassline was created with a Roland TB-303 synthesizer[9] Bangalter purchased in 1993. He had created several patterns with the 303 beforehand: “When we were looking for a bassline, we listened to some of [the] ones I’d already programmed and took the one that fit best.”[5] Da Funk is written in the key of C minor, and composed with a tempo of 111 beats per minute.[10]

Critical reception[edit]

Larry Flick from Billboard described the track as a “wriggling instrumental combination of cutting-edge electronic dance and Cameo-styled funk”.[11] Andy Beevers from Music Week’s RM Dance Update rated it five out of five, adding that “this single is a bit of a refresher for those who have been wondering why there is so much hype surrounding the French duo.” He explained further, “‘Da Funk’ still sounds incredibly fresh with its huge distorted synth riffs, thumping rhythm and scratchy guitar mashed up to create a mutant disco gem.”[12] Dave Fawbert from ShortList declared it as “sensational”, stating that it “manages to combine about six different outrageously funky parts over the top of an unyielding, solitary, bass note. When the 303 finally kicks in, it’s electro ecstasy.”[13] David Sinclair from The Times commented, “Another rave standard goes overground.”[14]

Music video[edit]

The protagonist Charles in the music video for “Da Funk”

The track’s music video was directed by Spike Jonze in February 1997 and titled Big City Nights. It focuses on the character Charles (Tony Maxwell), an anthropomorphic dog in a leg cast with a crutch. Charles, who has lived in New York City for only one month, is shown walking around with a boombox blasting “Da Funk” at a high volume. His hobbled walk is mocked by a pair of children. He is turned down when he attempts to participate in a public survey. His boombox annoys a bookseller on the sidewalk from whom Charles buys a paperback novel titled Big City Nights. Charles meets a woman named Beatrice (Catherine Kellner), who was once his childhood neighbor. They agree to have dinner together at her home, traveling by way of a city bus. Beatrice boards the bus, but Charles is startled by a sign stating “NO RADIOS”. As he is unable to turn off his boombox (which is earlier indicated to have a broken/missing volume button) he reluctantly remains at the bus stop, as the bus drives off with Beatrice.

Although the video has drawn several interpretations, Thomas Bangalter has stated:

There’s no story. It is just a man-dog walking with a ghetto blaster in New York. The rest is not meant to say anything. People are trying to explain it: Is it about human tolerance? Integration? Urbanism? There’s really no message. There will be a sequel someday.[15]

Charles starred in the music video for “Fresh”, another song on the Homework album. Set several years after “Da Funk”, Charles is shown to have become a successful movie star who is respected by many of his colleagues and is now living with Beatrice.

Impact and legacy[edit]

The prominent French club magazine Coda named “Da Funk” the number one single with 33 percent of the vote.[5] In 2003, Q Magazine ranked it number 670 in their list of the 1001 Best Songs Ever.[16]

In September 2010, Pitchfork Media included the song at number 18 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.[2] In 2011, it was featured in the video games Top Spin 4 and Ubisoft’s Just Dance 3. Same year, Slant Magazine listed it at number 93 in their ranking of The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s.[17]

In 2012, NME listed it in their 100 Best Songs of the 1990s, at number eight.[18] In 2021, Mixdown featured “Da Funk” in their list of The 13 most iconic TB-303 basslines of all time.[9]

Rolling Stone ranked “Da Funk” number 23 in their list of 200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time in 2022.[19]

Track listing[edit]

CD single (Virgin 8939202)[20]
Title
1. “Da Funk” (Side A) 5:33
2. “Musique” (Side B) 6:52
Total length: 12:25
CD maxi single (Virgin DPRO-12232)[20]
Title Music
1. “Da Funk” (Short Edit)   2:41
2. “Da Funk” (Long Edit)   3:48
3. “Da Funk” (LP Version)   5:32
4. “Da Funk” (Ten Minutes of Funk Mix) Armand van Helden 10:08
5. “Da Funk” (Callout Research Hook)   0:10
Total length: 22:19
7″ single (Virgin VSLH 1625)[20]
Title
1. “Da Funk” (Long Edit) 3:48
2. “Da Funk” 5:33
Total length: 9:21
12″ maxi single (Soma 025)[20]
Title
1. “Da Funk” (Side A) 5:28
2. “Rollin’ & Scratchin‘” (Side B) 7:26
Total length: 12:54
CD maxi single (Virgin 8385872)[20]
Title
1. “Da Funk” (Radio Edit) 5:33
2. “Musique” 6:52
3. “Da Funk” (Ten Minutes Of Funk Mix) 10:08
Total length: 22:28

Certifications[edit]

Release history[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Myers, Michele (19 August 2011). “The Big Beat Revolution: 11 Essential Songs”. NPR Music. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b Pitchfork Top 200 Tracks of the 90s
  3. ^ a b “New Releases: Singles”. Music Week. 6 May 1995. p. 59.
  4. ^ “Rewind: Daft Punk – Da Funk · Single Review”. Resident Advisor. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Bush, C. (1997), Frog Rock, Muzik, IPC Magazines Ltd, London, Issue No.21 February 1997.
  6. ^ James, Martin. French Connections: From Discotheque to Discovery. London, United Kingdom: Sanctuary Publishing Ltd., 2003. pg 273. (ISBN 1-8607-4449-4)
  7. ^ Warner, Jennifer. “Interview with Daft Punk” Archived 2014-07-10 at the Wayback Machine. p. 3. DMA. About.com. Retrieved on 30 March 2007.
  8. ^ Strage, Fredrik. Daft Punk drömmer om Amerika Pop (Stockholm). – Stockholm, Sweden: Bonniers specialtidningsförlag, 1997 pg. 85 (ISSN 1103-8578).
  9. ^ a b “The 13 most iconic TB-303 basslines of all time”. Mixdown Magazine. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  10. ^ “BPM and key for Da Funk by Daft Punk | Tempo for Da Funk”. Song BPM. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  11. ^ Flick, Larry (15 March 1997). “Single Reviews” (PDF). Billboard. p. 64. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  12. ^ Beevers, Andy (1 February 1997). “Hot Vinyl” (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 10. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  13. ^ Fawbert, Dave (19 July 2017). “29 classic songs that are somehow 20 years old this year”. ShortList. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  14. ^ Sinclair, David (15 February 1997). “The week’s top pop releases; Pop”. The Times.
  15. ^ Kieran Grant, Who are those masked men? Archived 2012-06-29 at archive.today canoe.ca. Retrieved on 15 April 2007.
  16. ^ “Q – 1001 best songs ever (2003)”.
  17. ^ “The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s”. Slant Magazine. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  18. ^ “100 Best Songs Of The 1990s (10-1)”. NME. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  19. ^ Dolan, Jon; Lopez, Julyssa; Matos, Michaelangelo; Shaffer, Claire (22 July 2022). “200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time”. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  20. ^ a b c d e “Daft Punk – Da Funk”. Hung Medien.
  21. ^ a b “Daft Punk – Da Funk”. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  22. ^ “Daft Punk – Da Funk” (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  23. ^ “Daft Punk – Da Funk” (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  24. ^ “Daft Punk – Da Funk” (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  25. ^ “Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3219.” RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  26. ^ “Eurochart Hot 100 Singles” (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 9. 1 March 1997. p. 13. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  27. ^ “Daft Punk: Da Funk” (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  28. ^ “Daft Punk – Da Funk” (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  29. ^ “Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 213 Vikuna 20.3. ’97 – 26.3. ’97)”. Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 21 March 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  30. ^ “The Irish Charts – Search Results – Da Funk / Musique”. Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  31. ^ “Top National Sellers” (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 18. 3 May 1997. p. 22. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  32. ^ “Daft Punk – Da Funk” (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  33. ^ “Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100”. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  34. ^ “Daft Punk – Da Funk”. Singles Top 100. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  35. ^ “Official Singles Chart Top 100”. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  36. ^ “Daft Punk Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)”. Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  37. ^ “Daft Punk Chart History (Dance Club Songs)”. Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  38. ^ “Daft Punk Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)”. Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  39. ^ “Rapports annuels 1997” (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  40. ^ “RPM ’97 Year End Top 50 Dance Tracks”. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  41. ^ “Tops de L’année | Top Singles 1997” (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  42. ^ “Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin”. Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1998. p. 25. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  43. ^ “French single certifications – Daft Punk – Da Funk” (in French). Syndicat National de l’Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  44. ^ “British single certifications – Daft Punk – Da Funk”. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  45. ^ “New Releases: Singles”. Music Week. 1 February 1997. p. 31.
  46. ^ “Daft Punk: Da Funk”. Radio & Records. No. 1192. 11 April 1997. p. 80. Going for adds April 15th!
  47. ^ “New Releases: Singles”. Radio & Records. No. 1240. 20 March 1998. pp. 99, 105.


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