Bongo Bong
Encyclopedia
"Bongo Bong" is the first solo single by Manu Chao
from his first album, Clandestino
. It is his most successful and recognisable song—a remake of Mano Negra
's song, "King of Bongo" (1991), which has its roots from a 1939 recording of "King of the Bongo Bong" by the trumpeter Roy Eldridge
. It also uses the background music from Black Uhuru's song "Bull ina di Pen" from their "Anthem" album. It is part of a medley with "Je Ne T'Aime Plus" on the album. The music has been reused for other songs such as "Mr. Bobby
" which was first released on this single before being re-recorded for his second album and "Homens" from the same album.
In 2006, a cover version by Robbie Williams
, combining "Bongo Bong" and "Je Ne T'Aime Plus" in one track (much in the way the tracks are interwined on Clandestino), appeared on Williams' album Rudebox and was released as a single release of its own
in 2007.
Manu Chao
Manu Chao , is a French singer of Spanish roots . He sings in French, Spanish, English, Italian, Galician, Arabic and Portuguese and occasionally in other languages...
from his first album, Clandestino
Clandestino
Clandestino is the first full-length solo album by Manu Chao, released in 1998. The album contains many soundbites throughout, two of which are bits of a speech by Subcomandante Marcos.-Track listing:...
. It is his most successful and recognisable song—a remake of Mano Negra
Mano Negra
Mano Negra was a music band in France, during 1987–1995, fronted by Manu Chao.The band, founded in 1987 by Chao, his brother Antoine, and his cousin Santiago Casariego in Paris, France, was very influential in Europe during the early 1990s. Although it reached mainstream success in countries...
's song, "King of Bongo" (1991), which has its roots from a 1939 recording of "King of the Bongo Bong" by the trumpeter Roy Eldridge
Roy Eldridge
Roy David Eldridge , nicknamed "Little Jazz" was an American jazz trumpet player. His sophisticated use of harmony, including the use of tritone substitutions, his virtuosic solos and his strong influence on Dizzy Gillespie mark him as one of the most exciting musicians of the swing era and a...
. It also uses the background music from Black Uhuru's song "Bull ina di Pen" from their "Anthem" album. It is part of a medley with "Je Ne T'Aime Plus" on the album. The music has been reused for other songs such as "Mr. Bobby
Mr. Bobby
"Mr. Bobby" is the last single from Manu Chao's second album, Próxima Estación: Esperanza. Originally, the song was released in a stripped-down form without any wind instruments on the "Bongo Bong" single in 1998. The song, which is a tribute to reggae legend Bob Marley, had success in European...
" which was first released on this single before being re-recorded for his second album and "Homens" from the same album.
In 2006, a cover version by Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
, combining "Bongo Bong" and "Je Ne T'Aime Plus" in one track (much in the way the tracks are interwined on Clandestino), appeared on Williams' album Rudebox and was released as a single release of its own
Bongo Bong and Je Ne T'Aime Plus
"Bongo Bong" and "Je Ne T'aime Plus" are two pop songs originally written and performed by Manu Chao. In 2006, the songs were combined into one track and covered by British singer Robbie Williams. The track was produced by Mark Ronson, and was released as the fourth and final single from Williams'...
in 2007.