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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Something Something

From Anjali · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Anjali1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Dutu dutu dutu duttuDutu dutu dutu duttu (Rhythmic vocalization)
Dutu dutu dutu duttuDutu dutu dutu duttu (Rhythmic vocalization)
Dutu dudu dudutu dutu dudu dudutuDutu dudu dudutu dutu dudu dudutu (Rhythmic vocalization)
Chorus
Dutu dutu dutu duttuDutu dutu dutu duttu (Rhythmic vocalization)
Something i wantSomething I want
Dutu dutu dutu duttu somethingDutu dutu dutu duttu something
Dutu dutu dutu duttuDutu dutu dutu duttu (Rhythmic vocalization)
Something i wantSomething I want
Dutu dutu dutu duttu somethingDutu dutu dutu duttu something
Chorus
Dutu dutu dutu duttuDutu dutu dutu duttu (Rhythmic vocalization)
Something he wantsSomething he wants
Dutu dutu dutu duttu somethingDutu dutu dutu duttu something
Chorus
Dutu dutu dutu duttuDutu dutu dutu duttu (Rhythmic vocalization)
Something i wantSomething I want
Dutu dutu dutu duttu somethingDutu dutu dutu duttu something
Chorus
Dutu dutu dutu duttuDutu dutu dutu duttu (Rhythmic vocalization)
Something we wantSomething we want
Dutu dutu dutu duttu somethingDutu dutu dutu duttu something
Dutu dutu dutu duttuDutu dutu dutu duttu (Rhythmic vocalization)
Something we wantSomething we want
Dutu dutu dutu duttu somethingDutu dutu dutu duttu something

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic musical sequence from the movie Anjali (1990) showcases playful beatboxing and non-lexical scat singing interspersed with basic English phrases. It expresses the innocent, enthusiastic desires of children in a residential colony as they demand various things together, shifting perspectives from 'I want' to 'he wants' and ultimately to 'we want'. The playful rhythm mirrors the spirit of childhood friendship and collective joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia / Scat Singing

Dutu dutu dutu duttu

The repetitive rhythmic non-lexical vocables ('Dutu dutu dutu duttu') mimic percussion sounds to create a catchy, playful beat tailored for child performers.

Repetition (Anaphora)

Something i want

The repeated structure of 'Something [pronoun] want/wants' emphasizes the growing sense of shared childish desires from individual to group dynamics.

Did you know?

Trivia

The iconic soundtrack of Mani Ratnam's 'Anjali' (1990) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali. This specific track features playful scat singing that became a massive hit among children across Tamil Nadu in the early 1990s.

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