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"what they doing" (The O'Jays - Back Stabbers)

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A short clip of The O'Jays singing what they doing from Back Stabbers, used in memes and edits to call out sneaky, two-faced behaviour in videos.

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About this sound

A short clip of The O'Jays singing what they doing from Back Stabbers, used in memes and edits to call out sneaky, two-faced behaviour in videos.

This is the opening vocal hook from The O'Jays' 1972 soul classic Back Stabbers, cut down to just a few seconds. A smooth, harmonised male voice asks 'what they doing' over a warm, funky groove, with strings and rhythm guitar swelling underneath, before the track's famous warning about backstabbers kicks in. It sounds instantly familiar even to people who do not know the full song, and it lands with a knowing, slightly suspicious tone. In a short video it works like a raised eyebrow, signalling that someone is up to something, cannot be trusted, or is about to be exposed.

Pro tip

Drop it as the suspicious moment is revealed, so the question lands on the culprit's face. Pair it with a slow zoom or side-eye cut, then cut hard on the reveal, and do not loop it, as the hook loses its punch second time round.

How people use it

Calling out a friend caught sneaking snacks at night.
Exposing a coworker taking credit for someone else's work.
Reacting to a pet caught on the kitchen counter.
Captioning a betrayal reveal in a reality show edit.

More information

Back Stabbers was released by The O'Jays in 1972 as the title track of their album on Philadelphia International Records, and it became one of the defining records of the Philly soul sound. The song warns listeners about smiling friends who secretly work against them, which is why its opening question has proved so reusable online. Shortened to under three seconds, the clip circulates in meme edits, reaction videos and TikTok-style cuts where a creator wants to flag double-dealing without explaining it, keeping a 1970s soul hook instantly readable to a modern audience.

FAQ

Where does the 'what they doing' sound come from?

It comes from Back Stabbers by The O'Jays, released in 1972. The clip uses the song's opening vocal line, where the group questions the motives of people who smile to your face while working against you.

Who sings the 'what they doing' sound?

The O'Jays, the American R&B vocal group, sing it at the start of Back Stabbers. Their harmonised lead vocal gives the short clip its smooth, soulful sound and its knowing, suspicious tone.

Why do creators use this sound in memes?

Creators use it to flag sneaky, two-faced behaviour without a long explanation. Dropping the question over a reveal instantly tells viewers someone cannot be trusted or has just been caught out.