Mah Nà Mah Nà, Doo Dooo Doo Doo Doo
September 19, 2010I was in the office doing my thing on the mac when I heard someone humming “Mana Mana, doo doooo doo doo doo.” I hadn’t heard that song in years. I was even more surprised to find it coming from the young woman sitting opposite, who wasn’t even a thought in her parent’s head, never mind an egg when it was first released. A couple of other work colleagues heard it and started singing it too. How is it that some songs seem to have great longevity and cross generations, whereas others are very much of their time? I would say in the case of this song, which has been around in one form or another since the late 60s, where it featured in an Italian film called Sweden: Heaven and Hell, there are few lyrics to remember, it’s catchy, and it’s silly.
The version that is probably best remembered is from The Muppet Show. So here it is for your viewing pleasure. Come and sing along now: Mah Nà Mah Nà, doo, doooo, doo, doo, doo…
Pie and Biscuits 
That song is one I never hear anymore, but I believe everyone knows. Is there a chance this song is in our genetic code?
If it isn’t, it should be.
Well I didn’t know the Muppet version wasn’t the original – thank you for that bit of trivia, and putting the tune in my head for the rest of the day. Bring back the Muppets!
Yay! Bring ’em back!
Let’s make sure though, that we distinguish those lovely, funny and adorable Jim Henson creations from the fools I regularly write about on this blog.
I’m only a teenager, and I’m familiar with the Muppets and the “mana mana” number! It’s a classic.
So it appears. Well done to you for having such good taste at such a young age! Welcome to my blog.
I used to own a 45rpm single of the original version, which I purchased in my youth after hearing it on the radio. Ordinary AM radio stations used to play EVERYTHING, and radio in general was more interesting then as well as unpredictable.
You’re speaking my language! I used to listen to Radio Luxembourg on MW years ago. Alas it no longer exists, but I discovered some great artists and bands on that station, which were not heard on the BBC (John Peel excepted), or the commercial ones. It may be because I’m Officially Old™, but I am currently hard pressed to find anything new on mainstream radio that gives me the same level of excitement that I had all those years ago. Fortunately, we’re able to find new, or old good stuff on the internet, through YouTube, Daily Motion and music bloggers. Simon Cowell will not take over the music world!
I didn’t know that Officially Old was trademarked! I’ll have to remember that, looming dangerously close as I am. I love the Mahna Mahna song, and I’m going to have to see if I can hunt down the original version. The first one I saw was on (a re-run of) The Ed Sullivan Show. I’d love to hear the first!
In the meantime, you know I have a mashup for it, this one actually from a band called Cake. I thought you might enjoy it. http://not-pop-jukebox.blogspot.com/2008/10/mahna-mahna-cake-and-muppets.html
I’m happy to have you here, jukebox. I’ve seen you on Blogcatalog many times.
Yes, Officially Old™ is trademarked to this particular Pie, but you can use it on licence 😉 . Thanks for putting the link to a mash-up version here. It’s seriously groovy!
What the face. I linked mana mana to BN biscuits (remember that old ad?) and Cake (the band, not the… oh never mind) before the Muppets. Being Officially Pretty Much Too YoungTM and all.