"Bongo Bong" is the first solo single by Manu Chao, from his debut album, Clandestino. It is a remake of "King of Bongo", a track from Manu Chao's previous band, Mano Negra. The title and lyrics are taken from the 1939 jazz song "King of Bongo Bong" by Black American trumpeter Roy Eldridge. It also uses the background music from Black Uhuru's song "Bull ina di Pen", from their 1984 album, Anthem. The song is part of a medley with "Je ne t'aime plus" on Clandestino. Moreover, the music has been reused for other songs, such as "Mr. Bobby", which was first released on this single before being re-recorded for Chao's second album, Próxima Estación: Esperanza, and "Homens", from the same record.
The song is about a bongo player from the Congo.https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/bongo/ "Its words tell a simple story: 'Mama was queen of the mambo. / Papa was king of the Congo. / Deep down in the jungle / I start bangin' my first bongo.'"
Track listing European CD single "Bongo Bong" – 2:38 "Je ne t'aime plus" – 2:02 "Mr. Bobby" – 2:57 "Mentira..." – 4:37 "Bienvenido a Tijuana" – 2:43
European maxi-CD single "Bongo Bong" – 2:38 "Je ne t'aime plus" – 2:02 "Mr. Bobby" – 2:57 "Bienvenido a Tijuana" – 2:43
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1999–2000)PeakpositionItaly (Musica e dischi)3Italy Airplay (Music & Media)1Poland (Music & Media)18
Year-end charts Chart (1999)PositionEurope Border Breakers (Music & Media)49Italy (Musica e dischi)33 Chart (2000)PositionAustria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)38Europe Border Breakers (Music & Media)9Germany (Official German Charts)57Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)97
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Robbie Williams version
In 2006, English singer Robbie Williams recorded a version of the song that combined "Bongo Bong" with "Je ne t'aime plus", which appeared on his 2006 album, Rudebox. It was released as a single of its own in 2007. The track was produced by Mark Ronson and included vocals by Lily Allen.
Track listing European CD single "Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus" – 4:48 "Lovelight" – 6:25
Personnel Robbie Williams – lead vocals Lily Allen – backing vocals Tiggers – guitars Vaughan Merrick – Moog synthesizer Dave Guy – trumpet Neil Sugarman – tenor saxophone Ian Hendrickson-Smith – baritone saxophone Raymond Angry – Rhodes piano, keyboards Mark Ronson – keyboards, guitar, bass, drum programming, percussion Serban Ghenea – mixing
Charts + Weekly chart performance for "Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus"Chart (2007)PeakpositionCzech Republic (Rádio Top 100)14Italy (FIMI)22Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Robbie Williams".31Romania (Romanian Top 100)"Romanian Top 100" Please see "Issue 7" of the year 200745Turkey (Turkey Top 20)Turkish Airplay Chart 4
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References