Real score behind the novelty hits

Do you want to know the real lyrics of the popular novelty song, Otso-Otso?

With its catchy melody, engaging lyrics and equally amusing dance steps, the novelty song has become a hit among Filipinos of all ages. But is it really as innocent and harmless as it seems?

Get to know the real score when the song’s composer, Lito Camo, not only reveals its real lyrics, but sings them himself during his concert at the Music Museum on April 29. Dubbed. Lagi Na Lang Kayo…Ako Naman!, together with the Viva Hotbabes, Willie Revillame, Angelica Jones, the Ja-Boom Twins, K & the Boxers, Ya Chang, April Boy Regino and the Masculados.

It’s going to be riot when the king of novelty songs unleashes his naughty and ‘uncensored’ side and shares centerstage with the artists who have sung his hits.

As Lito says, "A lot of listeners don’t know it, but the lyrics that they hear on TV or radio are not the songs’ original lyrics. It’s only in my major concert where they’ll get to hear the real lyrics, as well as the stories behind these hits.

Naughty or not, Lito’s songs make for some pretty amusing anecdotes. For instance, did you know that Otso-Otso was written during the time that he was expecting the birth of his second child? "The doctor made me choose the birth date of my second baby, since she was due for Caesarian delivery," he narrates. And I chose Aug. 8 because of the good luck associated with the double eight. True enough, shortly after, I got a call from Star Records and met with Bayani Agbayani’s manager who asked me to write a song for him. That’s what inspired me to write Otso-Otso."

To date, Lito’s hits have turned its artists into overnight sensations, including the SexBomb Dancers (Spageti, Laban o Bawi, Halukay Ube), Bayani Agbayani (Otso-Otso, Atras Abante), Viva Hotbabes (Bulaklak, Basketbol), Willie Revillame (Pito-Pito), Masculados (Sana Mama, Nakaka, Jumbo Hotdog), April Boy (Yeye Vonnel) , Angelica Jones (Ms. Flawless, Ai-Ai delas Alas (Tanging Ina, Seamanloloko), Sandara Park (In or Out, Walang Sabit) and K & the Boxers (Sasakyan Kita). Not Many People know that Lito started out as a singer whose big break started when he released his debut album, Ano Kamo? which spawned the hit single, Kung Ikaw. His biggest break as a singer when he performed with the Eraserheads, Yano and Rivermaya at the Big Dome. That was my first dream," Lito admits. "But since I’m getting more recognition as a composer now, I realized that I’d rather be remembered as a good composer. After all, singers come and go, but songs can always be revived and their composers will always be remembered."

Lito’s penchant for originality has contributed immensely to his trendsetting style. "As a composer, I must say that I set trends," he avers. "Modesty aside, I started the novelty bandwagon. My works can attest to that." Thankfully, the sudden interest in novelty songs brought a much-needed boost to the rather sluggish local recording industry.

(For ticket inquiries, call (891-9999) or 374-2222/374-9999.)