Ring Ding Dong (Shinee song)

"Ring Ding Dong"
Single by Shinee
from the EP 2009, Year of Us
LanguageKorean
ReleasedOctober 14, 2009
GenreAfro-electric
Length3:53
LabelSM Entertainment
Composer(s)Yoo Young-jin
Lyricist(s)Yoo Young-jin
Shinee singles chronology
"Juliette"
(2009) 		"Ring Ding Dong"
(2009) 		"JoJo"
(2009)
Music video
"Ring Ding Dong" on YouTube

"Ring Ding Dong" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band Shinee as the lead single for their third extended play, 2009, Year of Us. It was released on October 14, 2009 through SM Entertainment. Penned by Yoo Young-jin, "Ring Ding Dong" is known for its repetitive, catchy hook.

Background and release

[edit]

"Ring Ding Dong" served as the lead single for Shinee's third EP, 2009, Year of Us. It was released on October 14, 2009, five days ahead of the EP's digital release.[1] The music video was directed by Cho Soo-hyun and was shot in early October in Namyangju. It premiered on YouTube on October 16.[2] Misha Gabriel, who had previously worked with the group on "Amigo", provided the choreography, alongside Nick Bass.[3][4] Shinee began their promotions at KBS' Music Bank on October 16.[5] On November 3, member Jonghyun was diagnosed with swine flu and had to take a break from promotions.[6] Onew later contracted the disease on November 7, followed by Taemin on November 26.[7][8] Super Junior's Yesung and Leeteuk filled in for the missing members in various performances.[9][10]

Composition

[edit]

Written and produced by longtime SM songwriter Yoo Young-jin, "Ring Ding Dong" was a departure from Shinee's established contemporary R&B sound. Yoo later admitted, "they probably never imagined they’d receive a song in this style".[11] "Ring Ding Dong" is an afro-electric song with a melody driven by African bongo drums and electro synths.[1] The beat has been described as "tense and rubbery electro-house".[12] It is "high-powered",[13] "heavily produced" and "rhythmically dense".[11] Sometimes characterised as "futuristic R&B", it also features "heavily auto-tuned vocals" and "Euro-pop production".[14] The lyrics describe the process of falling in love with someone without realising. The refrain "ring ding dong", which is repeated throughout the song, cartoonishly expresses the moment of falling in love as though a bell is ringing in the head.[1] Tom Breihan of Stereogum likened this to "nonsensical English baby-talk".[12]

Critical reception

[edit]

"Ring Ding Dong" has received mixed reviews from music critics, with some believing that the song hasn't aged well. NME reporter Rhian Daly acknowledged that the song "might feel more of its time now than some of the rest of their songs", but nevertheless praised its "adventurous, experimental spirit".[15] Likewise, writing for Dazed, Taylor Glasby described it as "unarguably a product of its musically outré time".[11] She went on to add, "the melody's power to ingrain, however, hasn't dimmed".[11] Tom Breihan of Stereogum viewed the song more positively, calling it "a pretty perfect introduction" to K-pop. He argued, "Nobody in Europe or America is using those Euro-club tropes better than the producers in Seoul are doing right now".[12] It has been criticised for the repetitiveness of the lyrics.[16]

"Ring Ding Dong" has gained a reputation for being so catchy, it distracts students from their studies.[17] It has been voted the number one banned song by college entrance exam takers on several occasions.[18][19] In 2020, the lyrics to "Ring Ding Dong" were featured in an exhibition at the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul titled "Korean Pop Lyrics – Melodies of Life".[20]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Ring Ding Dong" was a commercial success, topping various music charts in South Korea.[21] It continued to chart for several months after its release, entering at number 85 on the inaugural edition of the Gaon Digital Chart, newly established in 2010.[22] "Ring Ding Dong" was the most viewed video on YouTube in South Korea for the month of October 2009.[23] It peaked at number 16 on Billboard World Digital Song Sales on the chart issue dated January 7, 2012, and stayed on the chart for nine weeks.[24] As of December 2017, "Ring Ding Dong" has sold 38,000 downloads in the US, making it Shinee's second best-selling single in the country.[25]

Accolades

[edit]
Awards and nominations for "Ring Ding Dong"
Ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Cyworld Digital Music Awards 2009 Ting's Choice Artist (November) Won [26]
Golden Disc Awards 2009 Digital Bonsang Nominated [27]
Korean Music Awards 2010 Best Pop Song Nominated [28]
Music program awards for "Ring Ding Dong"
Program Date Ref.
Music Bank October 30, 2009 [29]
November 6, 2009 [30]
Inkigayo November 1, 2009 [31]
November 8, 2009 [32]
November 15, 2009 [33]
M Countdown November 5, 2009 [30]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of 2009, Year of Us.[34]

Recording

  • Recorded, digitally edited and mixed at SM Booming System
  • Mastered at Sonic Korea

Personnel

  • Shinee – vocals, background vocals
  • Yoo Young-jin – lyrics, composition, arrangement, vocal directing, background vocals, recording, mixing, digital editing
  • Jeon Hoon – mastering

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2010) Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[22] 85

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for "Ring Ding Dong"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
South Korea October 14, 2009
SM Entertainment [35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Lee, Jung-ah (October 12, 2009). "샤이니, 파격변신 돋보이는 신곡 14일 선공개" [Shinee to pre-release a new song on the 14th which highlights their drastic transformation]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 – via Naver.
  2. ^ Lee, Hye-rin (October 15, 2009). "샤이니, 16일 '링딩동' 뮤직비디오 공개" [Shinee will unveil 'Ring Ding Dong' music video on the 16th]. Asian Economy (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  3. ^ Kim, Hyung-woo (November 5, 2008). "샤이니 '아미고' 뮤비 공개 '민호 주인공 열연'" [Shinee's 'Amigo' music video released, 'Minho's passionate performance as the main protagonist']. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
  4. ^ Jo, Eun-ji (October 19, 2009). "컴백 샤이니, '링딩동' 골반 댄스 유행예감" [Shinee's comeback, 'Ring Ding Dong' pelvic dance trend]. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 – via Naver.
  5. ^ Baek, Ji-eun (October 16, 2009). "샤이니, '링딩동' 본격 컴백" [Shinee makes a comeback with "Ring Ding Dong"]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  6. ^ Kim, Hyung-woo (November 3, 2009). "샤이니 종현 신종플루 확진 판정 '당분간 4인체제 활동'" [Shinee's Jonghyun diagnosed with swine flu, 'four-member activity for the time being']. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  7. ^ Kim, Myung-min (November 7, 2009). "샤이니 온유 신종플루 확진 판정 '종현은 완치'" [Shinee's Onew confirmed to have swine flu, 'Jonghyun is completely cured']. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 – via Naver.
  8. ^ Lee, Eon-hyuk (November 26, 2009). "태민 신종플루 확진, 팬들 한숨 깊어가 "키-민호 조심해"" [Taemin confirmed to have swine flu, fans are sighing, "Be careful Key and Minho"]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 12, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  9. ^ Park, Young-joo (November 5, 2009). "'슈주' 예성, 샤이니 멤버로 합류?" [Super Junior's Yesung joins Shinee?]. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Lee, Mi-hye (November 7, 2009). "이특, 신종플루 온유 대신 8일 '인기가요' 샤이니 지원사격" [Leeteuk will join Shinee on 'Inkigayo' on the 8th in place of Onew due to swine flu]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d Glasby, Taylor (July 18, 2018). "Looking back at K-pop group Shinee's extraordinary 10-year career". Dazed. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  12. ^ a b c Breihan, Tom (March 22, 2012). "The 20 Best K-Pop Videos". Stereogum. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  13. ^ Raj, Tanu I (February 24, 2021). "How Shinee found their true colours". Dazed. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  14. ^ Sherman, Maria (July 13, 2020). "Start Here: Your Guide To Getting Into K-Pop". NPR. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Daly, Rhian (February 22, 2021). "Shinee's back: Why the Princes of K-pop's return is essential for 2021". NME. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  16. ^ Song, Ji-hye (March 6, 2012). "K-pop scores a knock out with lyrics you can't forget". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  17. ^ Jin, Min-ji (September 6, 2015). "Catchy songs could pose a problem on test day". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  18. ^ "SBS 전망대] 수능생 금지곡 1위 샤이니의 링딩동…이유는?'" [[Han Su-jin's SBS Observatory] Shinee's 'Ring Ding Dong' is the number one banned song for college entrance exam takers... Why?] (in Korean). SBS. November 9, 2015. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2017 – via Nate.
  19. ^ Jang, Yeon-je (November 15, 2017). "'수능 D-1' 샤이니 '링딩동', 'PICK ME'·'나야 나' 제치고 '수능 금지곡 1위'" ['SAT D-1' Shinee's 'Ring Ding Dong' beats 'Pick Me' and 'It's Me' to be named the number one banned song]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021 – via Naver.
  20. ^ Kwon, Yae-rim (May 15, 2020). "Beauty of Hangeul rediscovered through Korean pop songs". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  21. ^ "샤샤이니 'Ring Ding Dong', 온-오프라인 차트 석권!" [Shinee's 'Ring Ding Dong' dominates the online and offline charts!]. The Star Chosun (in Korean). October 26, 2009. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  22. ^ a b "2010년 1주차 Digital Chart" [Digital Chart – Week 1 of 2010]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 14, 2017.
  23. ^ Lee, Jung-ah (October 30, 2009). "샤이니 '링딩동', '가장 많이 본 동영상' 1위" [Shinee's 'Ring Ding Dong' tops 'Most Viewed Videos']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 – via Naver.
  24. ^ "Shinee Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  25. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (December 18, 2017). "Jonghyun's Top Chart Hits: 'Base,' 'Lucifer' & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  26. ^ Ok, Young-hwa (December 13, 2009). 샤이니, 13~18세대들의 선택 받아 'ting's choice artist'상 수상! [Shinee won the 'Ting's Choice Artist' award after being chosen by 13–18 year olds!]. Arts News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  27. ^ "Nominees – Digital Song". Golden Disc Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 3, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  28. ^ Park, Se-yeon (March 30, 2010). 한국대중음악상 오늘(30일) 개최, 올해의음악상 트로피 누구 품에? [The Korean Music Awards will be held today (30th), who will receive this year's trophies?]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  29. ^ Lee, Eun-ji (November 2, 2009). "1위에 신난 샤이니, 미투데이 통해 트로피 인증 셀카!" [Shinee is excited to win first place, posts selfie with trophy on me2day!]. TV Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2017 – via Nate.
  30. ^ a b Kim, Hyung-woo (November 6, 2009). "샤이니, 종현 신종플루 불구 2주연속 뮤뱅 1위 등극 '차트 싹쓸이'" [Shinee ranks first on 'Music Bank' for two weeks in a row despite Jonghyun's swine flu 'Chart sweep']. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  31. ^ Choi, Jun-yong (January 17, 2010). "'인기가요' 샤이니, '강렬함+부드러움' 아쉬운 고별 무대!" [Shinee's 'strong and soft' farewell performance on 'Inkigayo'!]. TV Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  32. ^ Lee, Mi-young (November 8, 2009). "온유 빠진 샤이니, 2주 연속 인기가요 뮤티즌송" [Shinee, without Onew, wins first place on 'Inkigayo' for the second consecutive week]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  33. ^ Kim, Hyung-woo (November 15, 2009). "온유빠진 샤이니 인기가요 뮤티즌송 3주 연속 1위 '방송 차트 싹쓸이'" [Shinee, lacking Onew, wins first place on 'Inkigayo' for three weeks in a row 'Broadcast Chart Sweep']. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  34. ^ 2009, Year of Us (Liner notes). South Korea: SM Entertainment. 2009.
  35. ^ "Ring Ding Dong" (in Korean). Melon. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
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