Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
Genre
Label
Catalogue Number
Story Behind The Song
The Joe Dolce Music Theatre’s “Shaddup You Face” is one of the most unusual novelty records of the early 1980s, combining comedy, a catchy melody and an exaggerated Italian-American character to create a song that became instantly recognisable. Released in 1981, the recording introduced audiences to the comic persona of its Australian-American songwriter and performer, Joe Dolce.
Written by Dolce, the song centres on an Italian immigrant character offering humorous advice to a younger man who is constantly complaining about his problems. The repeated refrain, delivered in a broad Italian-American accent, translates loosely as “shut up and stop complaining”. Its playful language, theatrical delivery and simple accordion-led arrangement give the recording the feel of a comic performance rather than a conventional pop song.
Dolce drew on his own Italian-American family background when creating the character, although the exaggerated accent and cultural stereotypes became part of the song’s wider comic appeal. The track’s success reflected the popularity of novelty records that relied on memorable catchphrases, distinctive characters and an immediate sense of humour.
The accompanying performance style reinforced the song’s theatrical qualities, with Dolce adopting the mannerisms of an outspoken older relative delivering an affectionate but exasperated lecture. Beneath the comedy lies a straightforward message about resilience and perspective: sometimes, rather than dwelling on difficulties, it is better to stop complaining and get on with life.
“Shaddup You Face” remains a memorable example of early-eighties novelty pop, remembered for its distinctive refrain, comic character and unapologetically playful approach to songwriting.
The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK singles chart on 21st February 1981.
UK 7'' SLEEVE COVERS
Shown below are the picture sleeve covers (front and back) for the UK release of this single. If no cover sleeve was issued in the UK, we will display another country’s picture sleeve.
UK 7'' TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | Shaddap You Face (Single Version) (3:13) (Dolce) Produced By Joe Dolce, Ian McKenzie |
| B-Side | Ain’t In No Hurry (2:50) (Dolce) Produced By Joe Dolce, Ian McKenzie |
CHART PERFORMANCE (80s Chart only)
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [9 Weeks] – 7th February 1981 – 4th April 1981 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
All officially released versions that appeared in the 80s:-
- Shaddup You Face (Single Version) (3:13)
- Shaddup You Face (Extended Version) (4:47)
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OFFICIAL VIDEO
SONG LYRICS
‘Allo, I’m-a Giuseppe
I got-a something special-a for you, ready?
Uno, duo, tre, quatro!
When I was a boy just about the eighth-a grade
Mama used to say: “Don’t stay out-a late with the bad-a boys
Always shoot-a pool, Giuseppe going to flunk-a school!”
Boy it make-a me sick all the t’ing I gotta do
I can’t-a get-a no kicks always got to follow rules
Boy it make-a me sick just to make-a lousy bucks
Got to feel-a like a fool
And-a mama used to say all-a time:
What’s-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect
What-a you t’ink you do? Why you look-a so sad?
It’s-a not so bad, it’s-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!
That’s-a my mama. I can remember!
Big accordion solo!
Ah-ha ! Play dat thing! Really nice, really nice!
Soon-a come-a day, gonna be a big-a star
Den I make-a T.V. shows and-a movies
Get-a myself a new car but still I be myself
I don’t want-a to change a t’ing
Still a-dance and a-sing
I think about-a mama, and she used to say:
What’s-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect
What-a you t’ink you do? Why you look-a so sad?
It’s-a not so bad, it’s-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!
Mama, she said it all-a da time!
What’s-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect
What-a you t’ink you do? Why you look-a so sad?
It’s-a not so bad, it’s-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!
That’s-a my mama!
Hello everybody!
‘At’s out-a dere in-a radio and-a T.V. land
Did you know I had a big-a hit-a song in-a Italy with-a this?
Shaddap-a you face, I sing-a dis-a song
All-a my fans applaud, dey clap-a da hands
Dat-a make me feel-a so good
You ought to learn-a dis-a song
It’s-a real-a simple
See I sing: “What’s-a matter you?” You sing: “Hey!”
Den I sing-a da rest and den at de end we can all-a sing
“Ah, Shaddap-a you face!”
Ok, let’s-a try it, really big –
Uno duo tre quatro!
What’s-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect Hey!
What-a you t’ink you do? Hey! Why you look-a so sad? Hey!
It’s-a not so bad. Hey! It’s-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!
That’s-a great
What’s-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect Hey!
What-a you t’ink you do? Hey! Why you look-a so sad? Hey!
It’s-a not so bad. Hey! It’s-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!
Ok, one time for mama. Everybody!
What’s-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect Hey!
What-a you t’ink you do? Hey! Why you look-a so sad? Hey!
It’s-a not so bad. Hey! It’s-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!
Written By Joe Dolce
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