Darla dirladada

"Darla dirladada"
Single by Dalida
from the album Ils ont changé ma chanson
B-side	"Diable de temps"
Released	1970
Format	7" single
Genre	Pop
Length	3:15
Label	Sonopresse
Writer(s)	Boris Bergman, Guinis Jean Musy

"Darla dirladada" is a traditional song from the island of Kalymnos in Greece. It was originally conceived as a song that sponge divers would sing when rowing their sponge diving boat [Kaikiya] across the oceans with words of encouragement and opportunity intended to motivate them to row harder. Full translation of the traditional Kalyminian version available http://townsvillemarine.com.au/dirlada/

One of the most notable recordings is that performed by Pantelis Ginis, a Kalyminian Sponge diver captain, who referred in his version to another respected Kalyminian sponge diver captain, Manolis (Emmanuel) Theodosiou, whose nickname was 'Kobalis'. There is a verse in Ginis version that refers to Theodosiou when the captain walked into a coffee shop where Ginis was singing his version. Ginis' version is that generally played in Greece even though there are older versions available.

There have been various modern versions recorded.

In 1970 the song was recorded by Italian-Egyptian-French singer Dalida. It was released as a single from her album Ils ont changé ma chanson, on which it features as sixth track. Dalida also recorded the song in the English-language ; the original version has been covered by Marva. The most notable cover version was that of G.O. Culture in 1993, which became a huge hit in France.

Dalida version

Track listings

7" single

1. "Darla dirladada" — 3:15
2. "Diable de temps" — 2:30

7" maxi - 1996 release

1. "Darla dirladada" (disco 96 mix) — 6:55
2. "Darla dirladada" (sirtaki mix) — 4:04

G.O. Culture version

"Darla dirladada"
Single by G.O. Culture
B-side	"Powe a Wanda" + Remix
Released	June 1993
Format	CD single, CD maxi 12" maxi, Cassette
Genre	Techno, House
Length	3:17
Label	Scorpio, Warner Music
Writer(s)	Boris Bergman, Jean Musy Ginis Pantelis
G.O. Culture singles chronology
"Darla dirladada" (1993) "Na Na Na" (1993)

In 1993, the band G.O. Culture covered the song in a house and techno version. In France, this version was a success in discothèques and in terms of sales. Lyrics are completely changed and refer to Patrice Leconte's film, Les Bronzés. The single was the major summer hit in France and stayed for 29 weeks in the top 50, 22 of them in the top ten. It is to date the 847th best-selling single of all time in France. The music video shows the singers performing the song on a beach and on a boat. Several remixes were produced by French band Pleasure Game. This cover version has been covered in turn by K.O. Culture in 2006 in a remixed version.

Track listings

CD single

CD maxi

1. "Darla dirladada" (tropical club mix radio edit)
2. "Darla dirladada" (tropical club)
3. "Darla dirladada" (techno dance mix)
4. "Powe a Wanda"

Cassette

1. "Darla dirladada"
2. "Powe a Wanda"

12" maxi

1. "Darla dirladada"
2. "Darla dirladada" (maxi version) — 5:39

Certifications and sales

Country	Certification	Date	Sales certified	Physical sales
France	Gold	February 22, 1994	250,000	397,000

Charts

Chart (1993)	Peak position
French SNEP Singles Chart	1

Preceded by "What Is Love" by Haddaway	French SNEP number-one single August 21, 1993 - September 4, 1993 (3 weeks)	Succeeded by "Mets de l'huile" by Regg'Lyss
Preceded by "Mets de l'huile" by Regg'Lyss	French SNEP number-one single September 25, 1993 (1 week)	Succeeded by "Living on My Own" by Freddie Mercury