Skokiaan

Album

Single

Label

Columbia Records

Genre

Traditional Pop

Media Type

78

Composer(s)

August Msarurgwa;Tom Glazer

Entered Chart

Aug 25, 1954

Peak Date

Sep 15, 1954

Released

16 Aug 1954

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

Columbia 4-40306

B-Side

Why Should I Love You

Original Artist

The African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia

"Skokiaan" is a popular tune originally written by Zimbabwean musician August Musarurwa in the "Tsaba-tsaba" big band-style that succeeded Marabi.[citation needed] "Skokiaan" ("Chikokiyana" in Shona) is an illegal self-made alcoholic beverage. An early instrumental version was recorded in 1947. Within a year from its 1954 release in South Africa through Gallo Record Company, at least 19 cover versions of "Skokiaan" appeared. The version made in then-Southern Rhodesia reached No. 17 in the United States, while a cover version by Ralph Marterie climbed to No. 3. All versions combined propelled the tune to No. 2 on the Cash Box charts that year. Its popularity extended outside of music, with several urban areas in the United States taking its name. Artists who produced their own interpretations include The Four Lads, Louis Armstrong, Bill Haley, Herb Alpert, Brave Combo, Hugh Masekela and Kermit Ruffins. The Wiggles also covered this song on their Furry Tales album. The music itself illustrates the mutual influences between Africa and the wider world.

Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Ohh, far away in Africa
Happy happy Africa
They sing-a bingo bango bingo
They have a ball and really go
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Ohh, take a trip to Africa
Any ship to Africa
Come on along and learn the lingo
Beside a jungle bungalow
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Hot drums are drumming
the hot strings are strumming
and warm lips are blissful
They're kissful of Skokiaan
Ohh, when you go to Africa
Happy happy Africa
You linga longa like a King-o
Right in a jungle bungalow
Skoki skoki skoki skokiaan
Okie dokie, anybody can
Skoki skoki man oh man oh man
You sing-a bingo bango bingo
In hokey pokey skokiaan
Skokiaan
Ohh, far away in Africa
Happy happy Africa
They sing-a bingo bango bingo
They have a ball and really go
Ohh, take a trip to Africa
any ship to Africa
Come on along and learn the lingo
beside a jungle bungalow
Hot drums are drumming
the hot strings are strumming
and warm lips are blissful
They're kissful of Skokiaan
Ohh, when you go to Africa
Happy happy Africa
You linga longa like a King-o
Right in a jungle bungalow
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Ohh, right in a jungle bungalow
Skokiaan