Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle)

Album: 1 Polish, 2 Biscuits & A Fish Sandwich (1994)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • First released in 1994 as a single in Europe, this song imported the American Miami Bass sound that was popularized by groups like 2 Live Crew and Quad City DJs. And like the oeuvre of the 2 Live Crew, the song was shockingly explicit and caused a similar outrage that of course made it wildly popular far beyond its artistic merits.

    This original version ran 4:45, but was cut down to 3:19 for radio play once the controversy started. With the explicit lyrics removed, the song was reduced to its groove and chorus, but fueled by media coverage, this was enough to send it to #1 on the UK charts in March 1995.

    The subject of this song's profane content was actually raised in Parliament, when on June 15, 1995, the MP for Worcester Peter Luff asked:

    Will my right hon. Friend find time for an early debate on the availability of pornographic material to children? I hope that he has had the opportunity to study the correspondence that I delivered to his office yesterday. It is correspondence that I have had with my constituent, Mr. Wilde, about the purchase by his 11-year-old daughter of a grossly obscene record which rejoices in the innocent name "(Don't Stop) Wiggle Wiggle" by the Outhere Brothers. Such filth suggests that the record industry is not policing its output effectively, and that there could be a need for further action by the Government.

    Tony Newton MP replied for the Government: "I have indeed read the correspondence that my hon. Friend kindly gave me, and I fully understand his concern. He has written to my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State, Home Office, and I am sure that she will reply to him."

    The press also reported that this song - and several others by the band - had come under fire from another MP, and that the Crown Prosecution Service was considering a prosecution under the Obscene Publications Act. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England
  • The Outhere Brothers were fronted by two Chicago musicians: the rapper Keith Mayberry (also known as "Malik" or "Silk E") and producer Lamar "Hula" Mahone. The pair got some help from an Italian production team known as Aladino, and also from Craig Simpkins, an American producer who goes by "Azza K. Fingers." They collectively shared songwriter credits on this and other Outhere Brothers tracks, but Mayberry and Mahone were the only members who appeared in publicity materials and videos.
  • Just as there were dirty and clean releases of this song, there were different official videos made as well. The first video (the dirty one) showed the groups frontmen cavorting with various vixens in boot camp and wrestling scenarios. The second (clean) video was made up of old footage of dancers and cartoons.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Church Lyrics

Church LyricsMusic Quiz

Here is the church, here is the steeple - see if you can identify these lyrics that reference church.

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).