Double Dutch Bus
"Double Dutch Bus" is a funk and early hip-hop song written and performed by American musician Frankie Smith, released in 1981 on WMOT Records as the lead single from his debut album Children of Tomorrow. The track is renowned for its playful incorporation of the "izz" infix slang—a form of Pig Latin-inspired dialect drawn from Philadelphia's local street and nightclub culture—along with rhythmic chants mimicking the double Dutch jump rope game and references to public bus transportation via the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).[1] The song's infectious beat and innovative slang propelled it to commercial success, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart where it remained for four weeks[2] and reaching number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100;[3] it also sold over one million copies, earning gold certification.[1] Smith, born in Philadelphia in 1953, drew inspiration from urban youth culture, blending elements of post-disco funk with proto-rap delivery to create a vibrant, community-oriented anthem that captured the energy of 1980s Black American experiences.[1] Beyond its chart performance, "Double Dutch Bus" holds cultural significance as one of the earliest recorded examples of hip-hop slang in mainstream music, influencing later artists like Snoop Dogg who popularized similar "-izzle" suffixes in the 2000s.[4] The song appeared on the television program American Bandstand and inspired a 1993 re-recording by Smith titled "The New Double Dutch Bus," though it failed to replicate the original's success; it has since been sampled and covered, including a version by Raven-Symoné in 2008 for the Disney Channel.[1][5]Background
Frankie Smith
Franklyn Leon Smith was born on January 29, 1953, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began his music career in 1972 as a staff songwriter and producer at Philadelphia International Records, collaborating with artists such as the O'Jays, the Spinners, Billy Paul, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. His work during this period focused on crafting R&B and soul material that contributed to the label's signature sound under founders Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. In the late 1970s, Smith transitioned from behind-the-scenes roles to fronting his own performances, collaborating on sessions with established acts like Fat Larry's Band before signing as a solo artist with the independent Philadelphia-based label WMOT Records (We Men of Talent) for his 1981 debut album. The song "Double Dutch Bus," released through WMOT, drew brief inspiration from Philadelphia street culture, including the local transit system and double Dutch jump rope games. Following the track's success, Smith encountered significant legal disputes with WMOT over unpaid royalties, as detailed in a 1982 lawsuit (case no. CA 82-1275-NS). These issues were compounded by allegations that label executive Mark Stewart had embezzled funds through money laundering schemes connected to a multimillion-dollar cocaine operation, diverting an estimated $1.44 million in earnings, including Smith's share of over $30,000 in royalties from the song. Smith ultimately did not recover these funds. Smith passed away on March 8, 2019, in Philadelphia at the age of 66. He received posthumous recognition in hip-hop history for pioneering playful, nonsensical slang techniques in his music, which influenced later rappers such as Snoop Dogg and E-40.Song origins and themes
The song "Double Dutch Bus" draws its primary inspiration from the Double Dutch jump rope game, a rhythmic activity that gained widespread popularity among children in urban communities during the 1970s.[6] This game, involving two ropes turned in opposite directions while participants jump in sync, was revitalized as an organized sport in New York City public schools starting in 1973 by NYPD officers David A. Walker and Ulysses Williams, who introduced competitive tournaments to promote physical fitness and community engagement among youth.[7] The first official Double Dutch competition took place on February 14, 1974, in Harlem, drawing around 600 students from grades 5 through 8 and marking the formal establishment of the American Double Dutch League by Walker.[8] By blending the energetic, playful essence of this childhood pastime with urban mobility, the song captures a sense of joyful escapism rooted in Black American playground culture.[9] A key thematic element stems from Philadelphia's public transit culture, where Frankie Smith, a native of the city, observed the daily routines of commuters on SEPTA buses during the late 1970s.[1] SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, operated an extensive bus network that served as a vital lifeline for working-class neighborhoods, and the song incorporates references to the "TransPass," a real monthly fare pass issued by SEPTA that allowed unlimited rides and symbolized affordable urban travel.[10] This fusion of transit lingo with playground slang evokes the vibrancy of city life, portraying buses not just as vehicles but as communal spaces for social interaction and adventure.[11] The track's distinctive language further reflects emerging hip-hop wordplay through the "izz" infix, a form of phonetic alteration in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) that inserts "-izz-" after the initial consonant to create playful, coded expressions, such as transforming "bus" into "bizzus."[12] This infixation technique, documented in AAVE slang as a creative morphological process, gained traction in late-1970s hip-hop circles for its rhythmic flair and in-group signaling, predating its broader popularization in the 1990s and 2000s.[13] By weaving this slang into its narrative, the song underscores themes of childhood fun, communal bonding, and the ingenuity of urban Black American life in the early 1980s, celebrating resilience and creativity amid everyday routines.[12]Original version
Production
The recording of "Double Dutch Bus" occurred in 1980 at Alpha International Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[14] The track was produced by Frankie Smith in collaboration with co-producer and co-writer Bill Bloom for the independent label WMOT Records.[15] Smith performed lead vocals and played keyboards, with additional contributions from session musicians handling bass, drums, and horn arrangements to build the song's energetic funk foundation.[16] A group of children provided backing vocals as the "Double Dutch Gang," enhancing the track's playful, communal vibe.[15] During the sessions, Smith improvised elements of the song late at night, initially recording a more explicit version before refining it with the signature "izz" slang to make it radio-friendly.[17] The production incorporated prominent funk rhythms, call-and-response vocal patterns, and sound effects simulating bus sounds and the skipping motions of double Dutch jump ropes, capturing the essence of urban childhood games.[15] These creative choices emphasized the track's lighthearted, slang-infused themes of playful escapism.[17] Variations in length were developed to suit different formats, resulting in a radio edit of 3:29 for the 7-inch single and an extended 12-inch version running 5:20 that allowed for more instrumental grooves and vocal interplay.[15] The recording earned an Ampex Golden Reel award, recognizing its technical excellence at the studio.[18]Lyrics and musical style
The lyrics of "Double Dutch Bus" revolve around a playful, fictional narrative centered on a "double dutch bus," a whimsical urban transport imagined as a route for a "Double Dutch Affair," evoking the rhythmic energy of the children's jump rope game double Dutch.[15] The song employs a verse-chorus structure with prominent call-and-response elements, where the lead vocals interact with group chants and crowd-like responses, such as the opening "Gimme a 'ho' if you got your funky bus fare / Ho! Ho! Ho!" to build communal excitement.[19] Key verses depict everyday scenarios, like missing the bus and walking to work, infused with self-deprecating humor, while the chorus features nonsensical, joyful phrases like "Gimme the zizzer and I'll gimme the zazz," capturing a sense of carefree playfulness.[15] Linguistically, the song innovates through extensive use of "izzing," a form of infix slang derived from Pig Latin (also called Izz Latin or Ghetto Pig Latin), where syllables like "-izz-" are inserted into words for rhythmic obfuscation and fun, as in "Aizziz my nizzay" meaning "Is my name."[19] This technique, used as a secret code among children in urban Philadelphia settings, predates its popularization in hip-hop and serves as an early precursor to rap wordplay, influencing later artists who adopted similar infix patterns for stylistic flair.[15] The slang adds a layer of encoded joy and exclusivity, mirroring the insider dynamics of playground games and foreshadowing hip-hop's emphasis on linguistic creativity.[19] Musically, "Double Dutch Bus" embodies the funk genre with an upbeat tempo of approximately 120 beats per minute (BPM), driving its energetic, danceable groove.[20] A prominent heavy bassline anchors the track, complemented by synth horns that punctuate the melody with brassy accents and percussive elements, including slapping rhythms and drum patterns that evoke the skipping cadence of jump rope. These components blend post-disco funk with emerging hip-hop influences, creating a lively, rhythmic foundation that enhances the song's thematic playfulness without relying on complex orchestration.[21]Release and commercial performance
"Double Dutch Bus" was released in February 1981 as the lead single from Frankie Smith's debut album Children of Tomorrow on WMOT Records.[22] The track quickly gained traction on urban radio stations, where its upbeat funk rhythm and playful "izz" slang infixes captured listeners' attention, blending R&B with emerging hip-hop elements to appeal beyond traditional audiences.[15] The song achieved significant chart success, topping the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart for four weeks from July 18 to August 8, 1981.[23] It crossed over to the pop market, peaking at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1981 and spending 19 weeks on the chart.[17] Internationally, it reached number 7 on the Dutch Top 40 and number 19 on the Belgian Ultratop 50.[10] Initial reception highlighted its infectious energy and novelty, though some noted the slang as gimmicky; it featured prominently in early hip-hop radio rotations, boosting its cultural buzz.[15] Commercially, the 12-inch single was certified gold by the RIAA in June 1981 for sales exceeding 500,000 units, followed by a second gold certification for the 7-inch version in September 1981.[15] These milestones reflected over one million total copies sold in the U.S. by late 1981, underscoring its status as a crossover hit that bridged R&B and pop markets.[15]Formats and certifications
Track listings
The original 7-inch single release of "Double Dutch Bus" by Frankie Smith on WMOT Records (catalog WS8 5356, 1981) featured the song as the A-side in its radio edit form running 3:29, backed by "Double Dutch" on the B-side at 4:33.[24] The corresponding 12-inch single (WMOT Records 4W8 5351, 1980) featured "Double Dutch Bus" on the A-side lasting 5:20, with "Double Dutch" on the B-side at 4:33.[25] A 1994 CD maxi-single reissue by Unidisc (SP5-1683, Canada) compiled various mixes, including the standard version (5:18), Triple Dutch (instrumental, 6:01), the original 12-inch mix (8:25), and the radio edit (4:18).[26] The track was also included on Smith's debut album Children of Tomorrow (WMOT Records, 1981) in a standard version running 5:20.[27]| Format | Label/Catalog | Track | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-inch single (A-side) | WMOT WS8 5356 (1981) | Double Dutch Bus (radio edit) | 3:29 |
| 7-inch single (B-side) | WMOT WS8 5356 (1981) | Double Dutch | 4:33 |
| 12-inch single (A-side) | WMOT 4W8 5351 (1980) | Double Dutch Bus | 5:20 |
| 12-inch single (B-side) | WMOT 4W8 5351 (1980) | Double Dutch | 4:33 |
| CD maxi-single | Unidisc SP5-1683 (1994) | Double Dutch Bus | 5:18 |
| CD maxi-single | Unidisc SP5-1683 (1994) | Triple Dutch (instrumental) | 6:01 |
| CD maxi-single | Unidisc SP5-1683 (1994) | Double Dutch Bus (original 12" mix) | 8:25 |
| CD maxi-single | Unidisc SP5-1683 (1994) | Double Dutch Bus (radio edit) | 4:18 |
| Album version | Children of Tomorrow (WMOT, 1981) | Double Dutch Bus | 5:20 |