“I don’t wanna hear your ding dang dong” — Celine Dion’s 6-word ad-lib during a viral impersonation left Jimmy Fallon and 39 million fans stunned.
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On July 21, 2016, Céline Dion created one of late-night television’s most replayed moments when she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and participated in the “Wheel of Musical Impressions.” The Canadian vocalist — long celebrated for technical precision and emotional clarity — reminded the world that she is also a gifted mimic with impeccable comedic timing.
The moment that spread fastest online was her portrayal of Cher while performing the French nursery rhyme “Frère Jacques.” Dion shaped her voice to emulate Cher’s distinctive tone and then added a six-word ad-lib — “I don’t wanna hear your ding dang dong” — that sent Fallon into visible disbelief and became the breakout caption of the clip. The segment went on to be viewed tens of millions of times, with some tallies citing more than 39 million views.
Her run on the game included two additional impressions: Rihanna singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in the rhythmic delivery associated with the 2016 hit “Work,” and Sia performing “Hush, Little Baby,” complete with the visual gesture of covering her face with her hair. Across three short rounds, Dion demonstrated she could flip from humor to full vocal performance in seconds.
The appearance came during a transitional period for Dion — early 2016 had been marked by profound personal loss. Her joyful, unguarded performance on Fallon arrived just as she returned to heavy promotion ahead of her French-language album Encore un soir (released August 26, 2016), which debuted at No. 1 in France.
The segment’s lasting popularity was not only driven by surprise — it was driven by recognition. Audiences saw a familiar voice in an unfamiliar context. The result was a reminder that Dion’s playfulness and interpretive instincts are as compelling as her signature ballads — and that a single moment of spontaneity on live television can become a global reference point overnight.
@cherdion.tok Céline doing a Cher impression 😂💫👑. #celinedion #cher #jimmyfallon #icon #fun #funny #voice
