The Botabolar Boogie

In its early years the Botabolar Boogie was Donga Dan's signature tune. This cacophony of sound based on a 12 bar blues was originally used as a warm up tune for band practices. Over time the band worked up a sequence of instrumentals, creating a crazed experience that built to a spectacular climax. 

After the band recorded it at radio station 2SM's Sydney studios for the 1974 Pepsi Pop Poll one of the studio technicians commented: "It sounds like a commercial for acid." The tune ensured the band a place in the finals held at the Sydney Opera House. It also received airplay on 2SM.

As time went on the instrumental was refined with an introduction borrowed from Elizabethan popular music that said it all:

"The little chirping birds, the robin and the wren they sing a me.

The nightingale bears the treble.

Blackbird, the thrush they bear a tenor.

While the four-footed beasts, with their bleating and bellowing, they sing a bass.

Only man, as being a fierce and wild creature,

Has no certain note or tune.

His instruments are the guts of dead creatures.

A token of his cruelty and a reminder of his riot ..."