Incredibly, the quirky novelty song, “Shaddap You Face”, was a huge international hit in 1980-1981, reaching #1 in 15 countries. The original release sold over 6 million copies and it has been covered by a wide variety of performers in over 50 different languages. There is even a version in an Aboriginal dialect and a Papua New Guinean version.
“Shaddap You Face” was especially popular in Australia and has the distinction of being that country’s first triple platinum record. It was also Australia’s most successful song for 33 years.
One country where it wasn’t a smashing success is the US, where it peaked at #53 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it was regularly played on the Dr. Demento radio show and made it to #6 on the year-end Funny 25 in 1981.
The song’s writer and original performer is Joe Dolce, an Italian-American from Ohio who relocated to Australia as an adult. While living in Ohio, he would occasionally visit his Italian grandparents and extended family, who used the phrases "What's the matter, you?" and "Eh, shaddap"–which he adapted and made part of the song.
All of us irish kids used to sing it in the school yard! Didn't care what teachers thought! I think they're were bigger fish to fry regarding IRA bombings etc! It was number 1 for three weeks in the UK and Ireland!
That song and “Don’t Mess With My Toot-Toot” were popular the same year, both novelty songs that were fun to listen to back then. Remember my little niece howling with laughter when she heard them on the radio.
