A Ram Sam Sam
| "A Ram Sam Sam" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Written | Morocco |
| Writer | Traditional |
"A Ram Sam Sam" is a popular children's song and game which originated in Morocco. 
Play
The song's lyrics are usually:
- A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam
- Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam
- A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam
- Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam
- A rafiq, a rafiq
- Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam
- A rafiq, a rafiq
- Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam
The game is played by a group of children. The song is sung by the group leader and the participants should perform several actions during certain lyrics, usually:
- A ram sam sam - pound fists, right over left, then left over right.
- Guli guli - pull hands apart gesturing as if something were gooey
- A rafiq - spin index fingers on either side of the head (like someone is crazy), ending with the fingers pointed up.
Pop culture usage
- Rolf Harris recorded the song in 1971.
- Diskoteka Avariya used the song in their composition "Modnyi Tanets Aram Zam Zam" (In Russian "Модный танец Арам Зам Зам" English title "A Ram Sam Sam: The Trendy Dance") in 2009.
- Donikkl und die Weißwürschtl recorded a German version "Aram Sam Sam" that charted on the German charts in 2009.
- Gracey released a Dutch language version in 2011 that reached #75 in the Netherlands
- Lorenz Büffel made a version entitled "Aramsamsam" that is found on Après Ski Hits 2011 double CD.
- Die Aussenseiter recorded a version for YouTube.
- Johnny Only, an American singer, used the refrain in 2012 for a country-influenced children's song "A Ram Sam Sam" with additional English lyrics: "Turn around, one time, shake shake, shake it while you turn / Wave this wave, wave that way, reach for the light / Wave this wave, wave that way, give a hug so tight"
- Sampling
- Tom Tom Club used part of the "A Ram Sam Sam" lyrics in their song "Wordy Rappinghood". This song is found on their self-titled debut album from 1981.
- Chicks on Speed did a cover version of the song "Wordy Rappinghood" by Tom Tom Club on their 2003 album 99 Cents.
- Uffie recorded a cover version of Tom Tom Club's "Wordy Rappinghood" in collaboration with DJ Mehdi.
- Parodies
- The US scout movement adapted the song using new lyrics: A good Cub Scout / A good Cub Scout / A new Tiger Cub and a good Cub Scout...
- Fast Food Rockers recorded a version in 2003 (The Fast Food Song)
- DJ Ötzi recorded a German version in 2003, mainly being an enumeration of fast food companies.
- Pizza Hut used it in commercial campaigns with amended lyrics
- Die Aussenseiter used it in some parts of their first music video, "Aram Sam Sam".