Ma Baker

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This article is about the Boney M. single. For the real mother of gang criminals, see Ma Barker. For the Boney M. album, see Ma Baker (album).

"Ma Baker"
Boney M. - Ma Baker (1977 single).jpg
Single by Boney M.
from the album Love for Sale
B-side"Still I'm Sad"
Released1977
Length4:47 (1st 7" version)
4:36 (album / single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Original music: Traditional Tunisian folkloric tune
  • Writers for Boney M's version: Frank Farian, George Reyam, Fred Jay
Producer(s)Frank Farian
Boney M. singles chronology
"Sunny"
(1976) 		"Ma Baker"
(1977) 		"Belfast"
(1977)
Music video
"Ma Baker" (TopPop, 1977) on YouTube
Music video
"Ma Baker" (Sopot Festival, 1979) on YouTube

"Ma Baker" is a song by disco group Boney M., released as a single in 1977. It was the first single off their second album Love for Sale and their third consecutive chart-topper in Germany. The song was a huge success in Europe, topping the charts in many countries there. It was a number 2 hit in the UK (only surpassed by Donna Summer's "I Feel Love"). In the U.S, the song only reached number 96.

The song[]

Frank Farian's assistant Hans-Jörg Mayer discovered a popular Tunisian folkloric song, "Sidi Mansour" while on holiday, and rewrote the song into a disco track. The lyrics by Fred Jay were inspired by the story of legendary 1930s US outlaw Ma Barker, although the name was changed into "Ma Baker" because "it sounded better".[1]

With a structure similar to Boney M.'s breakthrough single "Daddy Cool", using the same gimmick percussion, alternating answer-back vocals, and a spoken mid-part, the song opened with a snarling "Freeze, I'm Ma Baker, put your hands in the air and gimme all your money". Although it has never been officially credited, the voice was that of Linda Blake, the wife of Frank Farian's American friend Bill Swisher, who was a soldier in Germany at the time. Bill Swisher performed the spoken mid-part, announcing a bulletin from the FBI. He was used on several later Boney M. recordings, including "Rasputin" and "El Lute". Farian re-recorded the song with Milli Vanilli in 1988, and reused both spoken voiceovers from the original song in the cover. Boney M.'s version was remixed the same year, 1993 and again in 1998. The song has been covered a number of times, including Banda R-15 and Knorkator. The "ma ma ma ma" chorus vocals were also sampled in Lady Gaga's "Poker Face".[2]

The single[]

In Germany, Benelux, United Kingdom and Yugoslavia, the single came out backed with a cover of The Yardbirds' "Still I'm Sad" which even charted on its own in Sweden (no. 17). In Germany, the first single pressing came out with a backcover with tour dates and a 4:47 version with a slightly different mix, leaving out the verse line "of one who left no friends", plus it features a longer instrumental outro which can be heard in the 1988 remix. "Still I'm Sad" also fades four seconds later than the album version. This pressing was also released in Yugoslavia. Although the LP cover would also list the timing 4:47 of "Ma Baker", it was the much more common second single mix 4:33 that was included in the album. Subsequent German single pressings featured a picture of Boney M. and their tour crew Black Beauty Circus on the backcover.

In Spain, Brazil, Mexico, France, Canada and the US, the single was backed by "A Woman Can Change a Man". In Japan, the initial pressings (October 1977) had "A Woman Can Change a Man" as the A-side and an alternate shot off the album's controversial chain photo sessions as the cover. It was soon repressed with "Ma Baker" as the correct A-side and the album front cover photo for the artwork.

In Hungary, "Ma Baker" was backed with the follow-up single "Belfast".

Charts[]

Sales and certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
France — 704,000[33]
Germany (BVMI)[34] Gold 500,000^
Netherlands — 250,000[35]
Sweden (GLF)[36] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

1993 remix[]

"Ma Baker (Remix '93)"
Boney M. - Ma Baker (Remix '93 (1993 single).jpg
Single by Boney M.
from the album More Gold – 20 Super Hits Vol. II
Released1993
LabelBMG (FRG)
Boney M. singles chronology
"Brown Girl in the Ring (Remix)"
(1993) 		"Ma Baker (Remix '93)"
(1993) 		"Papa Chico"
(1994)

Following the remix of "Brown Girl in the Ring", Farian remixed "Ma Baker" in 1993. While a modest club hit, it failed to enter the European charts. "Borsalino" and "The Most Wanted Woman" are two dub mixes of the track. The new remix was included in the compilation album More Gold - 20 Super Hits Vol. II.

Germany[]

12"[]

  • "Ma Baker (Remix '93)" (BMG 74321 15940 1, 1993)

Side A – Gangster

  1. "Ma Baker (Remix '93)" (Bonnie & Clyde mix) – 5:25
  2. "The Most Wanted Woman" – 3:30

Side B – Fashion

  1. "Borsalino (Trainee Mix)" – 4:55
  2. "Ma Baker (Remix '93)" (Radio Edit) – 3:58

CD[]

  • "Ma Baker (Remix '93)" (BMG 74321 15940 2, 1993)
  1. "Ma Baker (Remix '93)" (Radio Edit) – 3:58
  2. "Ma Baker (Remix '93)" (Bonnie & Clyde mix) – 5:25
  3. "Borsalino (Trainee Mix)" – 4:55
  4. "The Most Wanted Woman" – 3:30

1998 remix[]

"Ma Baker (Boney M. vs. Sash!)"
Boney M. vs. Sash - Ma Baker (1998 single).jpg
Single by Boney M.
Released1998
LabelBMG (FRG)
Boney M. singles chronology
"Papa Chico"
(1994) 		"Ma Baker (Boney M. vs. Sash!)"
(1998) 		"Daddy Cool (Remix)"
(1999)
Alternative cover
The final single cover
The final single cover
Sash! singles chronology
"Move Mania"
(1998) 		"Ma Baker"
(1998) 		"Colour the World"
(1998)

In 1998, a new remix of "Ma Baker" by Sash! started to chart as a 12" single. Just as the CD-single was about to follow, it was withdrawn, and a new version appeared, re-titled "Somebody Scream! Ma Baker" featuring Horny United. The single was a Top 30 hit in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and even peaked at no. 6 (two weeks) in Finland and no. 10 in Sweden. When released in the UK in April, it peaked at no. 22. The accompanying video featured a young woman, kickboxing, training with a gun, the only relation to the original group being her watching the original 1977 video of "Ma Baker" on a TV set.

EU[]

12"[]

  • Boney M. / Horny United Feat. Boney M. - "Ma Baker" / "Somebody Scream - Ma Baker" (2 x 12", Logic Records/Lautstark/BMG 74321 64561 1, 1999)

Side A

  1. Boney M. "Ma Baker" (Extended Vocal Edit) – 5:26

Side B

  1. Boney M. "Ma Baker" (Disco Dub Edit) – 5:35

Side C

  1. Horny United "Somebody Scream" (Massive Mix) – 7:30
  2. Horny United "Somebody Scream" (Screamless Mix) – 6:16

Side D

  1. Horny United "Somebody Scream - Ma Baker" (Full Vocal Mix)
  2. Horny United "Somebody Scream - Ma Baker" (Ma Baker House Mix)

CD[]

  • Boney M vs. Sash!: "Ma Baker" (BMG 74321 63942 2, 1998)
  1. "Ma Baker" (Tokapi Radio Edit) – 3:24
  2. "Ma Baker" (Original Edit) – 3:35
  3. "Ma Baker" (Extended Vocal Edit) – 5:26
  4. "Ma Baker" (Disco Dub Edit) – 5:35
  • Boney M. vs. Sash!/Horny United Featuring Boney M.: "Ma Baker"/"Somebody Scream" (BMG 74321 64561 2, 1999)
  1. Boney M. vs. Sash! "Ma Baker" (Extended Radio Edit) – 4:54
  2. Boney M. vs. Sash! "Ma Baker" (Disco Dub Edit) (5:32)
  3. Horny United Featuring Boney M. "Somebody Scream (Ma Baker)" (Radio Edit) (Oliver Wallner, Re-Run) – 4:17
  4. Horny United Featuring Boney M. "Somebody Scream (Ma Baker)" (Massive Mix) (Oliver Wallner, Re-Run) – 6:59

UK[]

12"[]

  • Boney M. vs. Horny United "Ma Baker/Somebody Scream" (Logic Records 74321 65387 1, 1999)

Side A

  1. "Ma Baker" (Club Mix by Horny United)

Side B

  1. "Somebody Scream" (Beatroute Star Bar Mix by DJ Slammer & Mark Bambach)
  2. "Somebody Scream" (Cosmic People Mix)

CD[]

  • Boney M. vs. Horny United "Ma Baker/Somebody Scream" (Logic Records 74321 65387 2, 1999)
  1. "Ma Baker/Somebody Scream" (Radio Edit) – 3:06
  2. "Ma Baker" (Sash! Radio Edit) – 3:27
  3. "Somebody Scream" (Massive Club mix) – 7:31
  4. "Ma Baker" (Sash! 12" Mix) – 4:55

Charts[]

Chart (1998–1999) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[38] 19
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[39] 24
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[40] 23
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[41] 4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[42] 6
France (SNEP)[43] 11
Germany (Official German Charts)[44] 28
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[45] 26
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[46] 34
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[47] 9
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[48] 10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[49] 21
UK Singles (OCC)[50] 22

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Baker, Che (17 June 2017). "This Ma Baker has a little bone to pick". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  2. ^ McAlpine, Fraser (11 March 2009). "Lady GaGa – 'Poker Face'". The Chart Blog. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  3. ^ "International Best Sellers" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XXXIX no. 41. 25 February 1978. p. 59.
  4. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  5. ^ "Boney M. – Ma Baker" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  6. ^ "Boney M. – Ma Baker" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5430a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  8. ^ "UK, Eurochart, Billboard & Cashbox No.1 Hits". MusicSeek.info. Archived from the original on 14 June 2006.
  9. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 89 no. 43. 29 October 1977. p. 80. ISSN 0006-2510.
  10. ^ "Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70". InfoDisc (in French). Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  11. ^ "Boney M – Ma Baker" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  12. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ma Baker". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 2 no. 43. 14 January 1978. p. 90. ISSN 0006-2510.
  14. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 24, 1977" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  15. ^ "Boney M. – Ma Baker" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  16. ^ "Boney M. – Ma Baker". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  17. ^ "Boney M. – Ma Baker". VG-lista. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  18. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 89 no. 50. 17 December 1977. p. 84. ISSN 0006-2510.
  19. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  20. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  21. ^ "Boney M. – Ma Baker". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  22. ^ "Boney M. – Ma Baker". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  23. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Love for Sale – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  25. ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1970s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  26. ^ "Jahreshitparade 1977" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  27. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1977" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  28. ^ "TOP – 1977". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  29. ^ "Jahrescharts – 1977" (in German). Officialcharts.de. GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  30. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1977" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  31. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1977" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  32. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1977" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  33. ^ "Les Meilleures Ventes Tout Temps de 45 T. / Singles". InfoDisc (in French). Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  34. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Boney M.; 'Ma Baker')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  35. ^ "'Ma Baker' Top Dutch Single in '77 Chart Tally" (PDF). Billboard. 21 January 1978. p. 116. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  36. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1999" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  37. ^ "British single certifications – Boney M – Ma Baker". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  38. ^ "Boney M. vs. Sash! – Ma Baker" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  39. ^ "Boney M. vs. Sash! – Ma Baker" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  40. ^ "Boney M. vs. Sash! – Ma Baker" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  41. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 8160." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  42. ^ "Boney M vs. Sash!: Ma Baker" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  43. ^ "Boney M. – Ma Baker '99" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  44. ^ "Boney M. vs. Sash! – Ma Baker" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  45. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 9, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  46. ^ "Boney M. vs. Sash! – Ma Baker" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  47. ^ "Boney M. / Horny United – Ma Baker / Somebody Scream". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  48. ^ "Boney M. vs. Sash! – Ma Baker". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  49. ^ "Boney M. vs. Sash! – Ma Baker". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  50. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
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