Released: 2015
“Clap Snap” by Icona Pop is a playful and offbeat tune that explores themes of individualism, freedom, and rebellion within its catchy, dance-inspiring lyrics. This multifaceted track uses both traditional nursery rhyme elements and modern pop hooks to create a song that is as thought-provoking as it is dance-provoking.
The line “Three, six, nine, the goose drank wine” is a direct lift from an old children’s counting game, infusing the song with an air of nostalgia and whimsy. Such lines, paired with the visceral “The monkey chewed tobacco on the streetcar line” and the vivid image of everyone “going to heaven in a little rowboat”, create a surreal narrative that’s open to interpretation. One possible reading is that it represents life’s unpredictable journey and even celestial transcendence – all while keeping its tongue firmly in its cheek.
The chorus of “Clap, Clap, Clap, snap” is designed to get the audience moving, injecting the song with a repetitive, catchy rhythm. It’s a classic pop music technique aimed to make the song memorable and danceable.
One of the key moments in the song comes when we hear “Mama told me (My mama told me), She can’t control me”. Here, Icona Pop digs into the theme of personal freedom and defiance. It’s a shout-out to individuality and rebellion, a classic trope in pop music that resonates particularly with younger audiences.
In essence, “Clap Snap” takes seemingly trivial lyrics and blends them into a modern pop concoction that evokes themes of freedom, defiance, and dance-driven delight. From its nursery rhyme allusions to its pop hooks, it’s clear that “Clap Snap” is a pop music gem that deftly plays with listener expectations while delivering a memorable musical experience.
