"Kinky Afro" is a song by the English alternative rock band Happy Mondays, produced by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne. It was released as the second single from the band's third studio album, Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches, on 8 October 1990. The song's chorus paraphrases the Labelle song "Lady Marmalade". The song was originally going to be called "Groovy Afro", but was changed to "Kinky Afro" after the English band the Farm released a similarly named song titled "Groovy Train" earlier in 1990.
Release The song was the band's biggest hit in the United States, reaching number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It reached number five in the United Kingdom, tied with "Step On" as the band's highest-charting single there. "Kinky Afro" was also the band's highest-charting single in Australasia, peaking at number 63 on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart and number 34 on New Zealand's Recorded Music NZ (then RIANZ) chart.
Music video The music video was produced and directed by Keith Jobling of the Bailey Brothers.
Track listings 7-inch "Kinky Afro" – 3:55 "Kinky Afro" (live) – 4:36
12-inch "Kinky Afro" (12" mix) – 5:07 "Kinky Afro" (live) – 6:38
CD "Kinky Afro" (Radio Edit) – 3:58 "Kinky Afro" (12" Mix) – 5:08 "Kinky Afro" (live) – 6:38
Australian 12-inch "Kinky Afro" (Euromix) – 7:26 "Kinky Afro" (Euromix edit) – 4:15 "Step On" (US Dub mix) – 5:55
"Kinky Groovy Afro" 12-inch "Kinky Groovy Afro" (Peter Lorimer mix) – 7:32 "Kinky Groovy Afro" (live) – 6:38
Source:
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1990–1991)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)63Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)22UK Indie (Music Week)1
Year-end charts Chart (1991)PositionUS Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)12
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom8 October 1990FactoryAustralia26 November 19903 December 199012-inch vinyl ("Kinky Groovy Afro")Japan21 December 1990CDAustralia4 March 199112-inch vinyl (Euromix)
See also List of Billboard number-one alternative singles of the 1990s
References
External links