“The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens
As noted in the facts’ section, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” actually originated in South Africa during the early 20th century. It is said that its writer, Solomon Linda and his homeys used to actually chase away lions who wanted to use cattle they owned as prey. And those pursuits serve as the basis of the lyrical composition of this song.
Most of it seems to be praising the lion itself. For instance, the verses are from where we get the phrase “the lion sleeps tonight”. And they simply depict the lion as resting either in the “mighty” and “quiet jungle” or near the “peaceful” and “quiet village”.
The village part especially insinuates that it is in fact near a human habitation. And the chorus itself, which basically consists of one phrase being repeated, is once again bigging up the lion.
But it is the bridge which speaks more to the aforementioned origin of the song. Here, the singer is telling his “darling” not to fret, presumably because the lion is in fact sleeping. So this is the first part of the song where this creature is depicted as being an actual threat. Thus the overall insinuation is that the human beings who also live within the vicinity of the where the lion dwells can rest easily since the lion is also at peace on this particular night.
Release Date of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
The origin of this song dates back to 1939. That’s when a South African musician by the name of Solomon Linda (1909-1962) first wrote and recorded it, though back then it was entitled “Mbubu” and recited entirely in the Zulu language.
It was another writer, American George David Weiss, who later came out with the English lyrics. He did so specifically for The Tokens’ cover of “Mbubu”, which by this time had come to be known as “Wimoweh” due to a mispronunciation of the word which originally made up the song’s chorus. And that word was actually uyimbube, which translate to “you are a lion”.
Thus The Tokens were actually the first in a long line of artists to actually sing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, as that phrase was added by George Weiss himself (1921-2010).
And the other co-writers credited on The Tokens’ version are also the producers of their rendition, Luigi Creatore and Hugo Peretti.
Covers of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
This song has been covered by many artists throughout the decades. Amongst some of the big names which standout are Miriam Makeba (1960), R.E.M. (1993) and ‘N Sync (1997).
A British group called Tight Fit also dropped a pretty-successful rendition back in 1982. However, it was The Tokens, a doo-wop group from Brooklyn, New York, who arguably released the most-renowned version, as their take on the tune topped the US Billboard Hot 100 (a feat it replicated in New Zealand) in addition to peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and also charting in Australia, Belgium and Germany.
The Tokens are said to have initially been embarrassed with the song and in fact tried to prevent it from being released. However, it up as the B-side to a now-obscure track called “Tina”, and they even went on to name their debut album “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”.
The official release date of The Tokens’ rendition is 1 January 1961. And the label behind the recording is RCA Records.
Usage in Films
“The Lion Sleeps Tonight” has been featured in a number of movies, perhaps most notably the pair of Ace Ventura films (starring comedian Jim Carrey) released in 1994 and 1995.
Once was a Child, Loved it then and now getting Older (75) and love it still.
You me both!! I’m your age, 74. You still hear it played on radio and yes in some films on screen
I was 10. It was the very first record I ever bought: 69¢. It cleaned me out. I was wild about this song. I still am. That was 63 years ago.
I have been told that to some of the Vietnam vets referred to the viet cong as the Lion in this song
The loin in the jungle was us; Special Operation Forces!
A great version by the tokens but do remember a version by Karl Douglas I think issued about 1961. His version was called Wimoweh.
Anyone remember this one ?
Its says that up in the article, keep reading 😉
My favorite song of all time in 1961
I heard the captivating song for the first time in the movie “coming To America ” starring Eddie Murphy..
Well, I will sleep tonight…
What is the name of the female soprano singing the very high parts of the song?
Anita Darlen and Opera Singer.
Anita Darlen an American Opera singer.
I don’t know how so many people could be so stupid. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” is about Apartheid and the plight of the “Black Man” not only in South Afrika but all over the world. That was a time when the Black Man had to ask the white man for permission and a written consent order to travel outside his town to another town. A time when the Black Man had to walk on the near the curb so the white man could walk on the paved part of the sidewalk.
Solomon Linda died much too young and in an unmarked grave before a headstone was bought for this brave “Black Man.”
I know and saw Apartheid in the most inhumane way while visiting in Durban, South Afrika in the late 60’s and 70’s.
May God forgive those ignorant and oppressive peoples that was part of that period.
I don’t see how this song is “about apartheid”. The song itself is about lions. Yes, I know it was written in South Africa. Yes, I know the original author was cheated by people who ” bought” the song from him. Yes, apartheid did exist and harmed Soloman Linda. That being said, the song was about a lion.
I cry but I love the song my sister played it as a teen then I.found it again
I have Watched the lion king over and over just for that son!
I always thought that the lion the song refers to was Halie Salasie who was also known as “Lion of the Tribe of Judah.”
I was told or maybe read something that the “Lion” in the song was Hallie Salasie emperor of Ethiopia who was also known as “Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” The reason the village is peaceful is because “The Lion” watches over all villages. As long as the Lion is content the country is at peace.
Great performance.