The whole world has fallen in love with the pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng. Now the adorable land mammal is coming for years after already winning your heart. A new single honoring Moo has been released in four languages, and it goes without saying that it's one of the most irresistible things you'll hear today.
The 50-second “Moodeng Moodeng” was released in English, Thai, Chinese and Japanese with lyrics that are 100% guaranteed to stick in your head forever. Over an original 1960s-themed TV show, a group of singers sing “Moodeng Moodeng deng deng deng deng deng deng,” before things get really weird.
“Moodeng boing boing/ Boing boing boing boing,” the 51-second track continues, before a shrill female voice slides in for the oh-so-cute verse, “Mommy mommy, play with me/ Please mommy come play with me/ Bounce along my mom.” Then the male voice returns with another strangely enticing couplet: “Mama mama play with me/ Please mama come play with me/ Are you ready? Hip hop queue!”
It all unfolds in a very cute series of videos of the shiny-skinned four-month-old hippopotamus (whose name translates to “lively pig”) doing an adorable waddling step and sliding around on her belly in her enclosure and playing with mommy. Moo Deng gained global fame last month after making her debut on Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo FB page.
The song was composed and written by Thai composer Mueanphet Ammara and released by one of Thailand's biggest music labels, GMM Music. Videos for the songs are available on YouTube as well as streaming on Apple Music and Spotify.
Back in September, SNLBowen Yang dressed as Moo Deng to channel Chappell Roan in the season 50 premiere in a segment where the viral hippo lamented the vicissitudes of instant, worldwide fame. “Reminder: Women don't owe you anything. When I'm in my enclosure, tripping over things, biting my trainer's knee, I'm at work. This is the project. Don't call my name and expect a photo just because I'm your parasocial bestie or because you appreciate my talent,” Yang and Deng said.
After some critics felt the impersonation seemed like a backhanded diss of the “Hot to Go” singer who has been open about the pressures of being in the spotlight, Yang explained in a since-defunct Instagram Story that the prank was the latest thing he had in mind. . “Oh you gays. 'mocking'???', he wrote. “If my personal stance and the track isn't absolutely clear in terms of supporting her, I guess it's there.”
Listen to all four versions of “Moodeng Moodeng” below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/moo-deng-hippo-theme-song-listen-1235828572/
