In the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, an Icelandic pubgoer is very eager to hear the group Fire Saga play their song “Jaja Ding Dong”. And in a case of life imitating art, Daði Freyr fans proved to have an equally insatiable desire to hear their Icelandic music idol perform the song. And Daði was happy to oblige… but just once.
Daði Freyr uploaded a cover of “Jaja Ding Dong” to his YouTube channel. The video begins with an avalanche of screengrabs of fan comments, all with one request: PLAY JAJA DING DONG!
Daði also had a message for his fans, writing on Twitter, “Don’t say I never gave you anything!”
Don't say i never gave you anything!
Now onto the next! <3https://t.co/zGbOHwoyP2— Daði Freyr ? (@dadimakesmusic) August 7, 2020
In his “Jaja Ding Dong” video”, the Icelandic multi-instrumentalist introduced his performance with a friendly but assertive statement: “Hi, my name is Daði Freyr and this is the first and last time that I’ll play this song.”
Daði performs the song outdoors, standing in front of a lush green meadow with a magnificent golden sunset in the distance. He’s wearing a cosy woollen jumper, standing next to his portable studio set-up.
The “Jaja Ding Dong” cover has Daði’s synthpop sound. He’s taken the song away from its Scandi dansband style, but still keeps the song’s cheeky flavour. He also introduces a searing instrumental climax, with the electro bass building and building.
Daði Freyr’s big year
2020 has been an eventful year for Daði Freyr. After winning Iceland’s national final Söngvakeppnin with his song “Think About Things”, the song soon went viral and Daði became a hot favourite to win Eurovision. But that could never be tested as Eurovision 2020 was sadly cancelled.
“Think About Things” became a minor hit in the UK, reaching No.34 in the singles chart and getting playlisted on BBC Radio 1.
The song’s success has been enough to inspire a UK tour in the spring of 2021. Daði will play venues in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and London. Just don’t expect to hear “Jaja Ding Dong”!
What do you think of Daði’s cover of “Jaja Ding Dong”? Should he add it to his live setlist? Tell us your thoughts below!
Shame it’s the only time he’ll ever do it. He does a terrific version!