Double Dutch
All this talk of the now sadly departed raconteur Malcolm McLaren has singularly failed to commemorate his contribution to my early life.
Long before I discovered punk, or indeed any music beyond Culture Club and my Dad’s Beatles records, I knew Malcolm McLaren as the man behind the groovy skipping song ‘Double Dutch’.
This single, with its natural exuberance celebrating the important things in life for an 8 year old, kicked off a huge skipping fad in our school playground. And for once I wasn’t standing on the sidelines wondering what the fuss about. No, it was quite clear from the film clip I’d seen on Australian Sunday night music staple Countdown that skipping was not like the usual rubbish sports like cricket or netball. Skipping was COOL.
So here’s to you Malcolm – for not only helping change the course of music but for managing to get sport hating bookworms like me out of library (for the weeks that the song was in the charts anyway).
‘…The skip they do is the double dutch, that’s them dancing…’
Malcolm McLaren, ‘Double Dutch’, 1983
April 12th, 2010 at 10:31 am
I love that song. But my very fave McLaren is Madame Butterfly. In fact the whole Fans album is classic.
April 12th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I would never even consider buying a Malcolm McLaren album – I just can’t believe it would be any good (despite liking the singles). In fact, I’m faintly shocked by your suggestion. But well, if you say so…
April 12th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
It’s one of my all-time favourites. It takes some getting used to though.
April 12th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I still get Duck Rock out once in a blue moon and play it. It sounds very tame and muted these days, but it was the soundtrack to some fab summer parties when it came out. I might even dig out my beautiful Foundry skirt (which still FITS, oh yes) and have a bit of a do-se-do in it later….
April 12th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Sorry ISBW, but I’m going to have to confess my ignorance. I have no idea what a Foundry skirt is and neither does wikipedia. I am very impressed however with your slimness of waist. You’ll have to give me some tips (as long as they don’t involve abstaining from booze, cheese and crisps).
April 13th, 2010 at 1:20 am
When it comes to making music Malcolm Mclaren reminds me of the Kings New Clothes story. No one’s going to stand up and say it though.
April 13th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Not round here they’re not Carl! Not when it comes to songs about skipping.
April 13th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Whats the deal with skipping ???? :-)
April 13th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
It’s fun (when you’re 8 as I was). And you’ve got to admit, regardless of McLaren’s claims about ‘inventing’ punk, not many other people would release a tune about some kids in New York skipping.
April 13th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
I have a memory of him having a big ‘ol brown hat around this time, a bit like a cowboy hat but funnier… bless him.
April 13th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
And Piley you’ve got to admit that the trench coat/big brown hat look was although dodgy, not quite as bad as that mash-up on your site! Oh dear.
April 14th, 2010 at 11:50 am
gee but I wish I still had the knees for skipping. And any coordination at all. and even a teeny bit of the energy required. I could do tangling but that’s not quite the same.
x
April 14th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Does that mean that you’re not up till 6am performing Northern Soul style acrobatics on the dancefloor every Saturday night then Ally?!
April 15th, 2010 at 12:14 am
yeah, you win!
April 16th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Never got into skipping , even when i was eight lol, this song is just another reason to dislike that silly old fop. Invented punk my arse. First Ramones album was out in 75. Cock !.