Peak
59
Weeks
7
Score
415
Chart Year
1957
"Mama Look at Bubu" (later retitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo") is a song written by Trinidadian calypsonian Lord Melody, and performed by Harry Belafonte featuring Bob Corwin's Orchestra & Chorus featuring Millard Thomas, Franz Casseus and Victor Messer on guitar. Although Belafonte gets co-writing credit on his 1957 release, the song first appeared on Lord Melody's single "Mama Look a Boo Boo" in 1955 (with slightly different lyrics) and his debut album Calypso Fiesta – Limbo in Trinidad in 1956 (retitled "Boo Boo"), with solo writing credit to Lord Melody (real name Fitzroy Alexander). First heard by Belafonte in the West Indies while filming Island in the Sun, "Boo Boo" was an unprecedented hit in Trinidad, the land of calypso. The Belafonte version later swept the U.S. as well. Belafonte's cover reached No. 10 on the U.S. R&B chart and No. 11 on the U.S. pop chart in 1957. It was featured on his 1957 album The Versatile Mr. Belafonte.
I wonder why nobody don't like me Or is it the fact that I'm ugly? I wonder why nobody don't like me Or is it the fact that I'm ugly? I leave my whole house and home My children don't want me no more Bad talk inside the house they bring And when I talk they start to sing "Mama, look a boo boo," they shout Their mother tell them, "Shut up your mouth" "That is your daddy, oh, no My daddy can't be ugly" "So, shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they Shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they" I couldn't even digest my supper Due to the children's behavior "John, yes pa, come here a moment Bring the belt, you're much too impudent" John says, "It's James who started first" James tells the story in reverse I drag my belt from off me waist You should hear them screaming round the place "Mama, look at boo boo," they shout Their mother tell them, "Shut up your mouth That is your daddy, oh, no My daddy can't be ugly" "So, shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they Shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they" I got carried away So I began to question the mother "These children ain't got no behavior" So I began to question the mother "These children ain't got no behavior" "They're playing with you," my wife declared "You should be proud of them, my dear" Then children were taught too blooming slack That ain't no kind of joke to crack "Mama, look at boo boo," they shout Their mother tell them, "Shut up your mouth That is your daddy, oh, no My daddy can't be ugly" "So, shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they Shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they" I wonder why nobody don't like me Or is it the fact that I'm ugly? I wonder why nobody don't like me Or is it the fact that I'm ugly? I leave my whole house and go My mishpucha don't want me no more Bad talk inside the house they bring And when I talk they start to sing ["Mishpucha" is Hebrew for "family"] "Mama, look a boo boo," they shout Their mother tell them, "Shut up your mouth That is your daddy, oh, no My daddy can't be ugly" "So, shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they Shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they" "Shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they Shut your mouth, go away Mama, look at boo boo they Shut your mouth"
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Jun 29, 1957 | 80 | 46 |
| 16 | Jul 6, 1957 | 59 | 67 |
| 17 | Jul 13, 1957 | 62 | 64 |
| 18 | Jul 20, 1957 | 65 | 61 |
| 19 | Jul 27, 1957 | 71 | 55 |
| 20 | Aug 3, 1957 | 80 | 46 |
| 21 | Aug 10, 1957 | 92 | 34 |