“Double Dutch Bus” is a groundbreaking funk/soul/hip-hop song inspired by three separate elements that were combined into a single track. First, it is a tribute to the girls in Frankie Smith’s Philadelphia neighborhood who could expertly jump over two ropes at once (Double Dutch). Second, it tells the story of a man who missed the city bus and then has to walk fifteen blocks to work. Third, it introduces a pig-Latin-like patois used by children as a secret code that would later serve as inspiration for artists like UTFO, Another Bad Creation, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z to include it in their raps. See the question “What is the story behind the ‘izzle’ speak included in this song?” below for more on this.

Frankie Smith originally wrote a song titled “Double Dutch” in 1973 and released it under the name Franklin. Later in 1981, after losing his job as a songwriter for the ‘hottest record label on the east coast’, Smith applied for a job with Philadelphia Transportation Company, envisioning himself as a singing bus driver, but after his initial interview, he never got a call back. While considering other jobs he was inspired by girls skipping rope outside of his window to write lyrics onto an overdue gas bill that would later become “Double Dutch Bus”.

When the song didn’t initially get airplay on local radio stations, Smith and his friend drove from city to city giving hundreds of copies of the vinyl single away at clubs, radio stations and college campuses. Soon after, WDAS FM in Philadelphia was receiving nonstop requests for the song. This began the song’s ascent to the top 40. The single sold over 2 million copies in less than two years.

“Double Dutch Bus” would be Smith’s only top 40 hit, peaking at #30 in 1981, earning him the label of one-hit wonder.