Oliver Twist

Album: Mr Endowed (2011)
Charted: 9
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo is a Nigerian Afrobeat singer-songwriter and harmonica player who records under the moniker of D'banj, which is a combination of his first name Dapo and surname Oyebanjo. Following the tragic death of his older brother in a plane crash, D'banj ditched a career in the army. He started playing his late brother's harmonica, which was recovered from the crash and soon became a self-taught master of the instrument. In 2005 he recorded his debut album, No Long Thing, which yielded several hit singles. Since then D'banjo has become a superstar in his home continent, winning many music awards including Best African Act at the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at both the 2008 and 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards and Best International Act; Africa at the 2011 BET Awards. In June 2011, D'banj signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music and this is the first single released under his new label.
  • Whilst Charles Dickens' poor workhouse boy Oliver Twist famously asked for more gruel, only to be rebuffed by Mr. Bumble, D'banj's wish is more fanciful. He confesses to his girl that his desire is to get with certain famous pop divas - including Beyoncé, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj - but can't because he's "just like Oliver, Oliver, Oliver Twist." He then tells his girl he knows her secret is that she likes such musicians as Trey Songz and his Nigerian producer Don Jazzy, before suggesting the truth is she also is just like, "Oliver, Oliver, Oliver Twist." The lyrics then grow increasingly bonkers and move even further away from Dickens' Victorian novel as D'banj cries, "Why you come dey shake e, shake e, bum bum."
  • Nigerian Sesan Ogunro directed the song's music video, which features cameos from D'banj's label mate Big Sean and Sugababe Keisha Buchanan. At the end of the clip the Afrobeat singer joins a hooded Kanye West in an elevator.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Billy Gould of Faith No More

Billy Gould of Faith No MoreSongwriter Interviews

Faith No More's bassist, Billy Gould, chats to us about his two new experimental projects, The Talking Book and House of Hayduk, and also shares some stories from the FNM days.