The Hangover Song What Do You Say

Ever woken up after a big night out, your head pounding, and the only thing playing on repeat in your mind is... "What do you say, what do you say, what do you say?" Yeah, you're not alone. That's the power of What Do You Say, the unofficial anthem of hangovers worldwide.

So, who's the genius behind this earworm? Meet Steve Knopper, a New York-based musician and producer. In 2010, he was nursing a hangover himself when he stumbled upon a catchy melody in his head. He grabbed his guitar, and What Do You Say was born.

But here's where it gets interesting. Knopper didn't set out to create a hangover anthem. He was actually trying to write a song for a TV commercial. Talk about a happy accident, right?

From Commercial Jingle to Hangover Anthem

Knopper uploaded the song to a stock music website, and that's where things got weird. A few months later, he started noticing something strange. People were using his song in YouTube videos about... hangovers.

He was baffled. "I had no idea what was going on," Knopper told us, laughing. "I mean, I was happy people liked the song, but I didn't expect it to become a hangover thing."

Turns out, the song's repetitive, catchy melody and Knopper's laid-back vocals were the perfect soundtrack for a pounding head. Before long, What Do You Say was trending on YouTube, with thousands of people uploading videos of themselves lip-syncing along, bleary-eyed and holding ice packs.

Why Does This Song Work?

So, why does this song work so well as a hangover anthem? Let's break it down.

1. It's catchy. Like, really catchy. The melody is simple, but it sticks in your head. It's the musical equivalent of a really good meme.

The Hangover – WWW.KINOMN.COM

2. It's slow. Hangovers aren't exactly high-energy situations. The song's slow tempo matches the pace of a good, long lie-in.

3. It's soothing. Knopper's vocals are calm and relaxed. It's like a musical hug for your throbbing head.

4. It's funny. Let's face it, there's something inherently funny about a song that's become a global hangover anthem. It's a bit like the musical equivalent of a greasy breakfast after a big night out.

What Do You Say?

So, the next time you find yourself with a hangover, give What Do You Say a listen. It might just become your new best friend. And who knows, you might even find yourself singing along, "What do you say, what do you say, what do you say?"

And if you're curious, Knopper says he's still not sure what to say. "I guess I'll just keep making music and see what happens next," he told us, with a laugh. "Maybe I'll write a song about the cure for hangovers next." Now that's a song we'd all love to hear.