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Bongo Bong
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| "Bongo Bong" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Manu Chao | ||||
| from the album Clandestino | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 1999 | |||
| Genre | Reggae[1] | |||
| Length | 2:38 | |||
| Label | Virgin | |||
| Songwriter | Manu Chao | |||
| Producers |
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| Manu Chao singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Bongo Bong" on YouTube | ||||
"Bongo Bong" is the first solo single by Manu Chao, from his debut album, Clandestino. It is a remake of "King of Bongo", a track from Manu Chao's previous band, Mano Negra. The title and lyrics are taken from the 1939 jazz song "King of Bongo Bong" by Black American trumpeter Roy Eldridge. It also uses the background music from Black Uhuru's song "Bull ina di Pen", from their 1984 album, Anthem. The song is part of a medley with "Je ne t'aime plus" on Clandestino. Moreover, the music has been reused for other songs, such as "Mr. Bobby", which was first released on this single before being re-recorded for Chao's second album, Próxima Estación: Esperanza, and "Homens", from the same record.
The song is about a bongo player from the Congo.[2]
Track listing
[edit]- European CD single
- "Bongo Bong" – 2:38
- "Je ne t'aime plus" (with Anouk) – 2:02
- "Mr. Bobby" – 2:57
- "Mentira..." – 4:37
- "Bienvenido a Tijuana" – 2:43
- European maxi-CD single
- "Bongo Bong" – 2:38
- "Je ne t'aime plus" (with Anouk) – 2:02
- "Mr. Bobby" – 2:57
- "Bienvenido a Tijuana" – 2:43
Charts
[edit]Weekly charts
[edit]| Chart (1999–2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[3] | 4 |
| France (SNEP)[4] | 40 |
| Germany (GfK)[5] | 7 |
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[6] | 3 |
| Italy Airplay (Music & Media)[7] | 1 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[8] | 27 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] | 42 |
| Poland (Music & Media)[10] | 18 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[11] | 45 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] | 15 |
Year-end charts
[edit]| Chart (1999) | Position |
|---|---|
| Europe Border Breakers (Music & Media)[13] | 49 |
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[14] | 33 |
| Chart (2000) | Position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[15] | 38 |
| Europe Border Breakers (Music & Media)[16] | 9 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[17] | 57 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[18] | 97 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (FIMI)[19] | Platinum | 100,000‡ |
| Spain (Promusicae)[20] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Robbie Williams version
[edit]| "Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Robbie Williams | ||||
| from the album Rudebox | ||||
| B-side | "Lovelight" (Dark Horse Mix) | |||
| Released | 22 January 2007 | |||
| Recorded | 2006 New York City, US | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 4:48 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Mark Ronson | |||
| Robbie Williams singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
In 2006, English singer Robbie Williams recorded a version of the song that combined "Bongo Bong" with "Je ne t'aime plus", which appeared on his 2006 album, Rudebox. It was released as a single of its own in 2007. The track was produced by Mark Ronson and included vocals by Lily Allen.
Track listing
[edit]- European CD single
- "Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus" – 4:48
- "Lovelight" (Dark Horse Mix) – 6:25
Personnel
[edit]- Robbie Williams – lead vocals
- Lily Allen – backing vocals
- Tiggers – guitars
- Vaughan Merrick – Moog synthesizer
- Dave Guy – trumpet
- Neil Sugarman – tenor saxophone
- Ian Hendrickson-Smith – baritone saxophone
- Raymond Angry – Rhodes piano, keyboards
- Mark Ronson – keyboards, guitar, bass, drum programming, percussion
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100) | 14 |
| Romania (Romanian Top 100)[21] | 45 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[22] | 77 |
| Turkey (Turkey Top 20)[23] | 4 |
References
[edit]- ^ Buckley, Peter (1999). The Rough Guide to Rock (2nd ed.). Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-8582-8457-6.
Stand-out tracks on this constantly surprising album include "Bongo Bong", an English-language lightweight reggae, the title track itself and the unstoppably danceable "Luna Y Sol".
- ^ https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/bongo/ "Its words tell a simple story: 'Mama was queen of the mambo. / Papa was king of the Congo. / Deep down in the jungle / I start bangin' my first bongo.'"
- ^ "Manu Chao avec Anouk – Bongo Bong – Je ne t'aime plus" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Manu Chao avec Anouk – Bongo Bong – Je ne t'aime plus" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 48. 27 November 1999. p. 60. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 43. 23 October 1999. p. 27.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 24, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Manu Chao avec Anouk – Bongo Bong - Je ne t'aime plus" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 21/2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 21. 20 May 2000. p. 21. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Manu Chao avec Anouk – Bongo Bong – Je ne t'aime plus". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Manu Chao avec Anouk – Bongo Bong – Je ne t'aime plus". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Border Breakers Top 100 1999" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 1. 1 January 2000. p. 13. Retrieved 21 January 2026 – via World Radio History.
- ^ Racca, Guido. "2014". Musica e dischi Top 100 Year-End 1960 – 2018 [Music and Records Top 100 Year-End 1960 – 2018] (in Italian). pp. 108–110. ISBN 9781980329121.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade 2000" [Year-end chart 2000]. Austriancharts.at. (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Border Breakers Top 100 2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 52. 23 December 2000. p. 13. Retrieved 21 January 2026 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Jahrescharts – 2000" [Year-end chart 2000]. Offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2000" [Swiss Year-End Hit Parade 2000]. Hitparade.ch. (in German). Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Manu Chao – Bongo Bong" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Manu Chao – Bongo Bong". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "Romanian Top 100" Archived 28 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine Please see "Issue 7" of the year 2007
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Bongo Bong And Je ne t'aime plus". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ Turkish Airplay Chart Archived 5 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
Bongo Bong
View on GrokipediaOriginal version by Manu Chao
Background and development
"Bongo Bong" originated as a remake of "King of Bongo," a track from the 1991 album King of Bongo by Manu Chao's band Mano Negra.[6] The earlier song itself drew inspiration from the 1939 jazz standard "King of the Bongo Bong" by trumpeter Roy Eldridge, incorporating elements of its title and lyrical structure.[7] Manu Chao, who co-founded Mano Negra in 1987, drew from his experiences with the band during its active years in the late 1980s and early 1990s to revisit the track for his solo career.[8] Following Mano Negra's disbandment in 1994 amid internal tensions and extensive touring, Chao entered a transitional period marked by personal upheaval and global travels, including trips to South America and West Africa from 1992 to 1995.[8] He decided to adapt "King of Bongo" for his debut solo album Clandestino, released in 1998, as part of a broader shift toward more introspective and world-infused songwriting.[8] The song's conceptual theme centers on a disillusioned bongo player from the Congo who leaves the jungle for urban fame but encounters rejection and prejudice in the city, symbolizing the struggles of migrants seeking opportunity.[1] This narrative reflects Chao's longstanding interest in global migration and cultural displacement, themes amplified in Clandestino through his observations of increasingly restrictive borders and the experiences of the dispossessed during his nomadic years.[9] Development of "Bongo Bong" occurred in the mid-1990s amid Chao's post-Mano Negra transition, with initial writing and demos emerging between 1995 and 1998 while he traveled and experimented with portable recording equipment.[8] Early versions incorporated reggae rhythms, echoing Mano Negra's fusion of punk, ska, and Latin influences from their earlier work.[8]Recording and production
The recording of "Bongo Bong" occurred between 1997 and 1998 across various locations in France and Spain, with the majority of work taking place at Manu Chao's home studio, known as Studio Clandestino, located in Montreuil-sous-Bois near Paris.[10][8] This period marked Chao's transition to solo production following the dissolution of his band Mano Negra, allowing for a more intimate and nomadic approach to capturing the track's elements.[8] Manu Chao served as co-producer alongside Renaud Letang, handling much of the instrumentation himself, including vocals, guitar, and percussion, while drawing on contributions from select collaborators associated with his emerging Radio Bemba collective.[11] The track incorporates a sampled bassline and rhythmic foundation from Black Uhuru's 1983 song "Bull in the Pen," which provided the foundational groove and was integrated to enhance the reggae-infused pulse.[12] The production emphasized a deliberate lo-fi aesthetic, achieved through mobile recording setups in informal spaces like squats and small studios, layering acoustic guitars and bongos with sparse electronic effects to cultivate a raw, streetwise texture that mirrored the song's global, itinerant vibe.[13] This guerrilla-style method, often using portable equipment, minimized polished studio interventions and prioritized organic, unrefined sounds.[14]Composition and lyrics
"Bongo Bong" follows a straightforward verse-chorus structure, commencing with an introductory riff and spanning a duration of 2 minutes and 38 seconds.[15] The song is composed in the key of A minor, utilizing primary chords built on the first (A minor), fourth (D minor), and fifth (E minor) scale degrees, which contribute to its melodic simplicity and accessibility.[16] Its tempo is set at 150 beats per minute in 4/4 time, though the reggae-influenced groove often evokes a half-time feel around 75 BPM, emphasizing a laid-back pulse driven by acoustic guitar strumming and percussive bongo drum patterns.[15] The track fuses reggae as its foundational style with elements of Latin and African rhythms, creating a world music aesthetic characteristic of Manu Chao's approach.[17] Acoustic guitar provides the rhythmic backbone through upbeat strumming reminiscent of ska, while the prominent bongo drums evoke African percussive traditions, blended seamlessly to produce a bouncy, global sound.[17] This genre fusion highlights Chao's incorporation of multilingual phrases, though "Bongo Bong" is predominantly in English, aligning with his broader style that draws from Spanish, French, and various global influences. Lyrically, the song narrates the journey of a self-proclaimed "King of the Bongo" from his origins in the Congo jungle to urban alienation. Key verses describe the protagonist's early life—"Mama was queen of the mambo / Papa was king of the Congo / Deep down in the jungle / I started bangin' my first bongo"—and his displacement to the city, where "people they look so strangely" and his bongos are replaced by a guitar.[2] The recurring chorus asserts identity and rejection of Western materialism: "I'm the king of the bongo baby / I'm the king of the bongo bong / I don't drink no champagne / I don't got no diamonds in my chain," underscoring a defiant pride amid cultural disruption. Thematically, "Bongo Bong" critiques fame, cultural clash, and colonialism through the lens of immigrant prejudice in Europe, portraying the protagonist's rejection by a Western intruder with a "big loud speaker" who appropriates his sound and audience.[1] References to Congo origins symbolize African heritage, while the narrative of returning to the jungle reflects resilience against Western dominance and urban indifference, encapsulating broader issues of alienation and cultural appropriation.[1]Release and promotion
"Bongo Bong" was released in 1999 by Virgin Records as the lead single from Clandestino, primarily as a CD maxi-single in Europe.[18] The release featured a double A-side format paired with "Je ne t'aime plus," targeting international markets including France, Spain, and the UK, with promotional efforts focused on radio airplay and music television channels like MTV Europe to introduce Chao's solo work.[18]Track listings
The original single release of "Bongo Bong" by Manu Chao was issued in various physical formats in 1999, primarily through Virgin Records, with configurations varying by region and edition.[18]European CD Single (1999)
The primary European maxi-CD edition included the following tracks:| No. | Title | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bongo Bong | 2:38 | Written by Manu Chao |
| 2 | Je ne t'aime plus | 2:02 | Featuring Anouk; written by Manu Chao and Anouk |
| 3 | Mr. Bobby | 2:57 | Written by Manu Chao |
| 4 | Mentira... | 4:37 | Written by Manu Chao |
| 5 | Bienvenido a Tijuana | 2:43 | Written by Manu Chao |
Promotional Versions (1999)
Promotional releases included a medley format for radio and industry use, with regional variants such as French and Spanish editions. The French promo was issued in a cardboard sleeve.[21]| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bongo Bong / Je ne t'aime plus | 4:10 |
Digital Reissues (Post-2000s)
Following the original physical releases, "Bongo Bong" became available digitally as part of the Clandestino album on streaming platforms. The 2019 special edition reissue of Clandestino, remastered and expanded with bonus tracks, bundled the single version alongside new material like "Bloody Border" in digital formats.[11][22]Music video
The music video for "Bongo Bong," the original version by Manu Chao, was directed by Enzo Brandner in 1998.[23] It adopts a low-budget aesthetic, filmed in black-and-white across urban streets of Paris and contrasting rural landscapes to evoke a sense of wandering isolation.[23] The visual narrative centers on Chao portrayed as a bongo player roaming the city, his performances met with indifference from passersby, intercut with playful animated sequences of bongos and lively crowd scenes that underscore themes of social rejection.[23] Key stylistic elements include shaky handheld camera work capturing spontaneous street performers and appearances by members of Chao's band, contributing to an raw, documentary-like feel; the video runs for 3 minutes and premiered on European MTV channels in 1999.[23] The video received praise for its authentic portrayal of Chao's bohemian ethos and unpolished charm, amassing over 20 million views on YouTube as of November 2025 without securing major awards, yet establishing itself as an iconic entry in indie music video history that visually echoes the song's lyrical exploration of outsider status.[23]Commercial performance
Weekly charts
"Bongo Bong" experienced varied success on weekly music charts in Europe, entering the French charts in June 1999 and achieving its highest peak in Italy at number 3 in March 1999. The track demonstrated particular strength in German-speaking countries, reaching number 4 in Austria, number 7 in Germany, and number 15 in Switzerland, where it spent up to 20 weeks on the chart. In other markets, it peaked at number 40 in France, number 27 on the Netherlands singles chart (and number 42 on the airplay chart), number 18 in Poland, and number 45 in Sweden. Data from official national charts and publications like Billboard confirm these trajectories, with no significant reissues impacting weekly performance through 2025.| Country | Peak Position | Total Weeks | Entry Date / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 4 | 13 | Entered April 2000 |
| France | 40 | 23 | Entered June 1999 |
| Germany | 7 | N/A | Strong performance in 2000 |
| Italy | 3 | N/A | Peaked March 1999 |
| Netherlands (Singles) | 27 | N/A | |
| Netherlands (Airplay) | 42 | 12 | Entered May 2000 |
| Poland | 18 | N/A | |
| Sweden | 45 | 5 | Entered October 1999 |
| Switzerland | 15 | 20 | Entered April 2000 |
Year-end charts
"Bongo Bong" by Manu Chao achieved year-end chart rankings in several European countries following its 1998 album release and 1999 single promotion. In 2000, the track placed 38th in Austria, 57th in Germany, and 97th in Switzerland, reflecting its commercial traction in the region.[24] These positions were determined by aggregating weekly chart data from national monitoring bodies, as coordinated by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which combined physical sales and radio airplay metrics.| Country | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | 2000 | 38 |
| Germany | 2000 | 57 |
| Switzerland | 2000 | 97 |
Certifications
"Bongo Bong" by Manu Chao has received official certifications in select regions based on physical and digital sales thresholds. In Italy, the single was awarded Platinum certification by the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) in 2024 for exceeding 100,000 units.[27] In Spain, it attained Gold status from Productores de Música de España (PROMUSICAE), recognizing sales of over 30,000 units. In France, it received Gold certification from the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) in 2001 for 250,000 units.[28] As of 2025, no certifications have been issued for the track in Germany by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI); however, global sales estimates, including album bundling, surpass 500,000 equivalent units worldwide. In the streaming era, following eligibility updates for digital awards after 2010, "Bongo Bong" has amassed over 270 million streams on Spotify alone by November 2025, contributing to potential future recognitions.| Region | Certification | Units | Certifying Body | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Gold | 250,000 | SNEP | 2001 |
| Italy | Platinum | 100,000 | FIMI | 2024 |
| Spain | Gold | 30,000 | PROMUSICAE | N/A |
Robbie Williams version
Background and recording
Robbie Williams' version of "Bongo Bong," reimagined as a medley with "Je ne t'aime plus," originated during the production of his seventh studio album, Rudebox, released on October 23, 2006, by Chrysalis Records. The track combined the two songs from Manu Chao's 1998 album Clandestino, adapting their reggae-influenced structure into a more polished pop format to align with Williams' eclectic sound on the record. This cover was developed as part of the album's diverse tracklist, which featured multiple reinterpretations of existing material, and served as a nod to Chao's indie roots while broadening its appeal for mainstream audiences.[29][30] The recording took place in 2006 at Chung King Studios and Allido Sound in New York City, during sessions for Rudebox that spanned from November 2005 to August 2006. Produced by Mark Ronson, who handled programming, engineering, synthesizer (Juno 106), electric guitar, bass guitar, beats, and percussion, the track featured Williams on lead vocals and Lily Allen providing backing harmonies. Additional instrumentation included acoustic and electric guitars by Tiggers, Fender Rhodes electric piano and Juno bass synthesizer by Raymond Angry, Moog synthesizer by Vaughan Merrick, and a brass section comprising baritone saxophone by Ian Hendrickson-Smith, tenor saxophone by Neil Sugarman, and trumpet by Dave Guy. Assistant engineers Andy Marcinkowski and Jesse Gladstone supported the sessions, with final mixing by Serban Ghenea.[30] Key production decisions emphasized an upbeat remix, incorporating lively brass arrangements and electronic beats to contrast Chao's original lo-fi, acoustic style and suit Williams' swing-infused pop aesthetic. Ronson's approach blended live instrumentation with synthetic elements, creating a vibrant, club-oriented energy that diverged from the source material's raw, minimalist vibe while preserving the medley's narrative flow. The track was later released as a single on January 22, 2007, primarily in Eastern Europe and Mexico, further promoting Rudebox.[29][30]Track listing and personnel
The Robbie Williams version of "Bongo Bong and Je Ne T'aime Plus" was released as the fourth single from his 2006 album Rudebox, combining Manu Chao's "Bongo Bong" and "Je ne t'aime plus" into a single track featuring guest vocals by Lily Allen on the first half.CD Single Formats
The primary physical release was a CD single issued in Europe in 2006 by Chrysalis Records, featuring the main track and a remix B-side.[31]| Track | Title | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bongo Bong and Je Ne T'aime Plus | 4:51 | Radio version featuring Lily Allen |
| 2 | Lovelight (Dark Horse Mix) | 6:25 | Remix by Dark Horse |
Album and Digital Versions
The full album version appears on Rudebox, released October 23, 2006, with a duration of 4:48. Digital formats, including downloads on platforms like iTunes, bundled the track with the full album or as a standalone single from late 2006 onward, often including enhanced audio and post-2007 reissues tied to compilations like Greatest Hits.[34]Personnel
- Vocals: Robbie Williams (lead), Lily Allen (featured on "Bongo Bong" section)[31]
- Production: Mark Ronson (overall album production, including this track); additional mixing by Soul Mekanik on select album elements[35] No instrumental B-side was issued on standard singles, though the track's raw reggae influences were adapted with pop production.
Release and promotion
"Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus" was released as the fourth single from Robbie Williams' album Rudebox on 22 January 2007 by Chrysalis Records, a division of EMI.[29][36] The track is a medley combining Manu Chao's "Bongo Bong" and "Je ne t'aime plus," reinterpreted in a pop style with additional vocals from emerging British artist Lily Allen, capitalizing on her rising popularity following the 2006 release of her debut album Alright, Still.[29] This version shifted the song's focus toward mainstream pop audiences in contrast to the original's world music roots.[29] The single was distributed in multiple formats, including CD single, digital download, and 12-inch vinyl, primarily in the UK and Europe, with additional releases in markets such as Mexico and Eastern Europe.[36] Promotional editions, such as CDr and 12-inch promo vinyl featuring remixes, were issued to support radio play and DJ outreach in these regions.[36] Promotion for the single formed part of the broader marketing campaign for Rudebox, emphasizing Williams' collaborative approach and eclectic sound through targeted radio airplay in the UK and continental Europe.[29] The inclusion of Lily Allen's vocals helped leverage her burgeoning fame to appeal to younger pop listeners, positioning the release within the vibrant mid-2000s British music scene.[29]Charts
Robbie Williams' cover of "Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus" was released as a promotional single in early 2007, achieving modest chart performance in select European markets, primarily through airplay support for the Rudebox album promotion rather than a full commercial push.| Country | Chart | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | Swiss Singles Chart | 77 | 4 |

