"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written and recorded by Solomon Linda under the title "Mbube" for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939. original was written in Zulu while the English version's lyrics were written by George Weiss. Pete Seeger adapted this song for his band The Weavers, keeping the chanted chorus and a version of Linda's improvised melody. He named his version Wimoweh, a misheard version of the original chorus “Uyimbube” (“you are a lion”). It reached the top ten on the Billboard charts in 1952.
I'm glad you mentioned this. I meant to put it in my comment but I figured someone would bring it up. heard about that for the first time about 5 years ago.
The really huge thing about this is that after decades of western civilization capitalizing on his composition, and Solomon Linda dying in poverty, his heirs finally won a monetary settlement. Granted, it came no where near to what should have been paid if there were a royalties agreement. But considering Linda never even had the opportunity to just outright sell the song in the first place, as it was essentially stollen, there's no telling if he would have had an offer been made. So I guess all in all it was a reasonable settlement.
@@rullmourn1142 Yes, thank you. II heard that one and also the one by Myriam Makeba. Also, this cover that Billy Joel di with Jimmy Fallon. RUclips only has a still photo version with the singing. This was how they created the song on an iPad App. The original full video was taken down from RUclips but here it is on Mega.nz mega.nz/file/O0RlAYhA#CdHbsDKXb8Q4GsLLxx5_SPAM3U1OWD-8mcUmW3Jc-iE
The Tokens' lead vocalist is Jay Seigel. The really high voice is actually a female vocalist, Anita Darian. The instrument used for the solo is a soprano saxophone.
she also recorded on "love is Strange" and a bunch of others....the original key they wanted her to sing in they did it once and she said sorry but I have to go a octive higher....the producers didnt think she could do....well she proved them wrong. he died in 2015 at the age of 87 years old
“My man in the back, like you guys hear his voice. I don’t know how his voice got up that high. If I tried to do that I’d be arrested!” Another classic Javaughnism.
Always been one of my favorites. The back-and-forth between the vocals and instruments. That piercing soprano voice. One of the few songs where the vocals basically carry the song and every thing else weaves in and out. Wonderful.
Thank you for posting this. It's 60 years old and I remember when it was released,(I'm 74) and I have never once grown tired of hearing it. It has that quality that makes it timeless, enjoyable to all.Keep well.
This is probably the best "multi-layered" song that has ever been done. You have layer after layer of different voices and instruments all coming together to make one great legendary classic.
"That lion sleeps everywhere"...LOL... This is an early example of what more recently would be called "world music", an American pop song directly based on (in this case) an African composition. Paul Simon, in 1986, did spectacularly well off a whole album of similar concept, recorded with a who's who of South African township musicians, the classic Graceland album. Give some of that stuff a listen. "You Can Call Me Al" from that album has one of the best bass licks ever recorded...
Your first sentence was exactly what I was going to say. It truly made me LOL when he said it. I loved the expressions on his face while listening to this. Great reaction.
My dad used to sing this to us all the time. We would run around the room being silly and sing along. I miss him! And I second the recommendation for the Netflix documentary about this song! It’s short and interesting. I love your reaction!
My hometown skating rink in the late 1960’s...”The Lion Sleeps Tonight” starts to play and EVERYBODY is smiling/singing as they’re skating. Great memory!
1962....a great year in music....the lead singer, Jay Siegel, is in his late 70’s and still sings it in the same key. Watch them do it live on RUclips from one of the PBS Doo Wop specials...you’ll be blown away.
My mom use to do a dance step to this called the stroll or the camel walk and it was so fun. She taught us all how to do it there were four of us all dancing around the living room. At the time she did ironing for other people at 10 cents a shirt.
When you look at the album cover, and with a name like "The Tokens," you DEFINITELY don't expect the sound that comes out of the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Even before the phrase "cult classic" was thought of, this song was that. You heard it EVERYWHERE. At the time, most people thought it was a bit strange, and yet the radio stations played it over and over, and everybody was singing it constantly. It truly IS a classic. GREAT song! LOVED your reaction!
True story: I adopted my son when he was 5. I thought he’d think this was fun so it became ‘our song’. We had a little dance routine and everything. In the plane home, he was wearing earphones and this came on his song rotation. He started singing the high pitched Eee but no one else could hear the music. An old man 2 rows up started ‘awoomawoop awoomawoop’. He just heard this come on and ran in to start his funny dance.
That was another group who I felt like an idiot for just *assuming* were Black, back in the day, lol. I was today years old when I realized the same thing about The Tokens! I guess always just associated white doo-wop with Franki Valli and....that's about it. As far as AA musicians in our pasty white house, we always just listened to Ray Charles and Nat King Cole growing up, other than that the old man only liked Country music, and Bing Crosby. We were huge Charlie Pride fans! Thank God for Soul Train, and Showtime at The Apollo! MTv was a great leveler. That gave everybody (almost) EVERYTHING!! Still, we ALL have to *continually* evolve, we will never one of us be finally "there".
There is a video out there somewhere that shows them doing this live, there is a lady hitting those highs in the background...she nails it. Anita Darian, check her out. I don't know what style you would call it, it is really a mix, do whop, but like you, I like it. I love it watching you when you get 30 seconds into a song and it is unlike anything you have heard before. This song has rock, folk,...it is all in there heard and you just know you like it...and it gets better from there, LOL. Your whole face lights up. Really is fun to watch.
The nice thing about the 60's and 70's was that we just had music and didn't worry about "classifying" it. That all came about because of marketers and demographics. We just called this a song we liked.
So Jazz, Blues, Big Band, Swing, Country, Pop, Classical, Mowtown, Doo-Wop, Rockabilly, Rhythm and Blues, Rock, Folk, Surf, Garage, Prog Rock, Disco, Ragtime, Funk, Soul, Latin .... ETC just didn't exist? Get out of here with that no music knowledge mouth lol
This was a 'crossover' song. Most music WAS kept in genres and you were considered weird in high school if you were white and liked soul, for instance...or black and liked some band like Skynard...
There was quite a controversy a while ago; a South African artist was the composer of the song. The original song 'Wimoweh' was written and sung by a Zulu migrant worker, Solomon Linda. It was written in the Zulu language and was produced by Gallo Records in South Africa 🇿🇦 The English lyrics were written by George David Weiss. This was in 1939 and recorded on 78rpm vinyl. It was the first record to sell over 100 000 copies. Unfortunately he never was given the credit for this. No royalties etc. The story goes on, but I think that's enough for now. Listen to it being sung by The Tokens.
This was adapted from an African lullaby that mothers would sing to their children at night to help them get to sleep. If the lion is sleeping.....all is well, there is no danger, you can sleep peacefully...
One of my FAVORITE SONGS OF ALL TIME!! This is such a unique song...sung by men!! The voices, the lyrics, the beat!! I could listen to this FOREVER!!💙💙💙😇💙
I sang this song in a junior high school choir concert. It will always have a special place in my heart. I can’t ever hear this song and not sing along! 😁😁😁😁
It's something you weren't ready for wasn't it? That is exactly why it was popular. Something new but with a beat. Like you said, " Everyday is something new." Glad you liked it.
This song is actually a very old African folk song sang by tribesmen for eternity. It was stolen from a guy in Africa, his descendants sued for compensation
Great choice for the vocal range of the lead singer. If you love walking around all day with a song stuck in your head, its an amazing tune. Never apologize for loving a tune or being surprised by them. Its why we all watch your you tube channel. Youre not afraid to take on all genres n styles of songs. Keeps us coming back.
"Let's Get It!" Live for your cheer to listening to music. This song used to make me so happy as a baby girl. Made me feel safer with my jungle bedsheets and the stuffed lion I slept with. TBH, I was a baby when someone started looking in the windows. My parents didn't believed a baby at first. They thought it was a bad dream. But..my Dad figured out it was probably someone trying to look at my oblivious Mum. Dad lined the windows with razor blades. Took plywood and put big nails in it, up. A neighbor woke up for a glass of water and saw our OTHER neighbor screaming in pain, plywood stuck to his foot. He left his chair there. They moved out shortly after. So maybe believe the babies when they say they see something. And always cuddle your lion!
I sang this song with the car radio in the family station wagon at the top of my lungs at four years old. I’d always ask, “Daddy, turn it up!” I had all the lyrics wrong of course. Thanks for such a sweet memory. He was 29 and now he’s 89.
Lol my brother was in this band for about 7 years...used to drive us crazy hearing it all the time but I must confess that I would have him sing the first part of the song for my friends 😄oh and btw that is the sax and he played that part too 😊
I highly suggest watching the documentary “The Lion’s Share” on Netflix. It is about this song and particularly its African roots. The original artist was Solomon Linda & The Evening Birds. It was recorded in South Africa in 1939 but was appropriated in the U.S. Solomon Linda’s descendants have had to fight for royalties and recognition and the documentary tells their story.
@@stennieville I wasn’t either but I was curious and googled to find out who wrote it, which led me to the film. I wish white artists at the time had credited the African artists who originated it.
Everyone who hears this song loves it! The soprano you hear during the refrain is actually a woman hired for the part. Here's a wikipedia article with some background info. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_Sleeps_Tonight
And 60 years later, they're still hitting those notes in live concert. BTW, that lion sleeps any damned place he want to sleep. ;-D GREAT reaction video.
I`m 62 and what I find great about your reaction videos is that it reminds me about all the great songs that I have forgotten, thank you greetings from Australia
So I love it when these young guys like Jayvee first hear the cool songs from back then. It was such a rich time for great songs. Growing up in those years there were so many great groups, great new songs on the radio almost every day. Looking back now, I can appreciate what a FANTASTIC music period it was. And seeing these young people also going nuts for the music is priceless.
Seen The Tokens in various forms several times over the years. As with almost all the groups of the time, so talented and entertainers all the way. No matter your age, if you ever get to see a doo-wop revival show at some point, take the opportunity. For what original members are left, you can see the joy in the faces and how thankful and appreciative they are that people still love seeing them perform. Thanks for bringing this type of music to new generations J. Keep 'em coming!
@@Shawney-jf6kc Ya, your right it was 61, I was born in 60 and I just remember them playing it a lot on the AM radio back went most cars only had an AM radio and I Remember them playing it a lot at the all-night skate at the roller rinks in the 70sTo! ⛸😎
I am 63 years old and I remember my mother holding me over her shoulder , while vaccuuming the floor and her singing along with this record.. It was a hit just before I was born I believe...
In October of 1972, I turned 6 years old & my dad gifted me with a portable record player & a box of 45 r.p.m. records he had collected when he was younger. This single was among the music he gave me. My dad gifted me with music on many birthdays. It was something special we shared.
My favorite song to sing when on a long drive. I turn up the radio very loud and me and the family sing with all of our hearts. Many amazing memories with this song
I was 3 years old I believe when this song came out around 1960 I think I could be off by a year or two but this was an absolutely monster hit back then I think this might be a one hit wonder group correct me if I'm wrong but I think they never had anything else after the song...
I saw them in concert about 30 years ago at the local middle school. Enjoyed it immensely. Misheard song lyrics, my wings are wet, my wings are wet. Lol!
Have you heard Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a vocal group from South Africa? They sing this song, too. Their style is incredible, and you must check them out. I also recommend Fela Kuti, from Nigeria, starting with "Lady" or "Zombie."
The way you react to hearing this for the first time......... I did the same about 50 yrs ago... and I still get goose bumps every time I hear it. Love the way you hear music from "my youth"with fresh ears. Very open minded Jayvee, keep it up..
I totally forgot about this song. But it was played in the radio very often although it was an oldie in the 70s/80s. I just read that Neil Sedaka was one of the singers. I only know him singing solo. He would be a good choice, too. There are so many songs of him I used to sing along all the time: "Oh! Carol", "Breaking up is hard to do", "Next door to an angel", "Calender Girl".
Songs are never old as long as there's new people to discover 'em. :)
Doug! That is a tshirt!!! 👏👏👏
AMEN!! I love that!
that’s not true though....
That's right I'm only 22 so let's keep the 60s and 70s and 80s alive please
Hell ya!
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written and recorded by Solomon Linda under the title "Mbube" for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939. original was written in Zulu while the English version's lyrics were written by George Weiss. Pete Seeger adapted this song for his band The Weavers, keeping the chanted chorus and a version of Linda's improvised melody. He named his version Wimoweh, a misheard version of the original chorus “Uyimbube” (“you are a lion”). It reached the top ten on the Billboard charts in 1952.
I'm glad you mentioned this. I meant to put it in my comment but I figured someone would bring it up. heard about that for the first time about 5 years ago.
@@RayRay-zt7bj ..ruclips.net/video/ZCp6e9ou7Oc/видео.html
The really huge thing about this is that after decades of western civilization capitalizing on his composition, and Solomon Linda dying in poverty, his heirs finally won a monetary settlement.
Granted, it came no where near to what should have been paid if there were a royalties agreement. But considering Linda never even had the opportunity to just outright sell the song in the first place, as it was essentially stollen, there's no telling if he would have had an offer been made. So I guess all in all it was a reasonable settlement.
Here's the Solomon Linda version: ruclips.net/video/mrrQT4WkbNE/видео.html
Love it!
@@rullmourn1142 Yes, thank you. II heard that one and also the one by Myriam Makeba. Also, this cover that Billy Joel di with Jimmy Fallon. RUclips only has a still photo version with the singing. This was how they created the song on an iPad App. The original full video was taken down from RUclips but here it is on Mega.nz mega.nz/file/O0RlAYhA#CdHbsDKXb8Q4GsLLxx5_SPAM3U1OWD-8mcUmW3Jc-iE
I love it when this song gets played in public and you can see everyone singing along.
My favorite thing about songs like this! I feel like it brings people together. ♥️
I'm not in public and I'm singing along! 😁
The Tokens' lead vocalist is Jay Seigel. The really high voice is actually a female vocalist, Anita Darian. The instrument used for the solo is a soprano saxophone.
I always thought that the female’s voice was a saw with a bow instrument lol!
had thought it was a very good male falsetto.
she also recorded on "love is Strange" and a bunch of others....the original key they wanted her to sing in they did it once and she said sorry but I have to go a octive higher....the producers didnt think she could do....well she proved them wrong. he died in 2015 at the age of 87 years old
Oh wow, I had no idea that was an actual woman singing. That is amazing.
@@guineawuv Not the singing, the background!
“My man in the back, like you guys hear his voice. I don’t know how his voice got up that high. If I tried to do that I’d be arrested!” Another classic Javaughnism.
Also "That lion sleeps everywhere. " 😊
Remember Ross and Joey singing this to Marcel? Joey hit that high note! 😂😂
OMG!!! THAT'S RIGHT!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I loved that episode..Lol
I loved Marcel!
HAHAH YES! LOL
Just watched this episode today!! I laughed way to hard!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Such a unique and wonderful song. Don't call it anything just a great thing.
Always been one of my favorites. The back-and-forth between the vocals and instruments. That piercing soprano voice. One of the few songs where the vocals basically carry the song and every thing else weaves in and out. Wonderful.
Now that’s my kind of musics-more 60s!!!!
@@Rippypoo it's just so much fun and well crafted, everything has a purpose.
Not saying it's a bad song at al, but....
Welcome to an earworm you will carry with you the rest of your life.
Joseph COLE ~ LOL ... You’re SO RIGHT!!!
Haha you got that right.
Nailed it...lol
I was just going to write that!
It's always just a whim away.
I don't know any other Tokens songs, but Under The Boardwalk by the Drifters is a great song.
Yes, Under The Boardwalk also Up On The Roof
i fooken love that song
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.......Otis Redding.....another Great song. You might give a listen to Ernie K. Doe....."Mother In Law."
Jay, I'm 66, but you and I could sit down and listen to some music. You would have loved all the music in the 60's and 70's.
And I'm 53 and I'd love to join the 2 of you. Music is what keeps people together and keeps them sein. Without music I'd be crazy as a bat 🤣🤣
Thank you for posting this. It's 60 years old and I remember when it was released,(I'm 74) and I have never once grown tired of hearing it. It has that quality that makes it timeless, enjoyable to all.Keep well.
This is probably the best "multi-layered" song that has ever been done. You have layer after layer of different voices and instruments all coming together to make one great legendary classic.
This song is in pop culture everywhere, alluded to in movies, commercials, books...it was very popular
'lion king'?
Lol, all I can think of is Timon and Puma from the Lion King 😂😂😂
Me too🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yeah, with how popular the Lion King and Disney in general still is, I can't imagine people not having heard this, or at least snippets of it.
@@wilmascholte7607 Well, you gotta get them views.
"That lion sleeps everywhere"...LOL...
This is an early example of what more recently would be called "world music", an American pop song directly based on (in this case) an African composition. Paul Simon, in 1986, did spectacularly well off a whole album of similar concept, recorded with a who's who of South African township musicians, the classic Graceland album. Give some of that stuff a listen. "You Can Call Me Al" from that album has one of the best bass licks ever recorded...
Your first sentence was exactly what I was going to say. It truly made me LOL when he said it. I loved the expressions on his face while listening to this. Great reaction.
I love how happy you are whilst listening to this song! Another top job, well done!
My dad used to sing this to us all the time. We would run around the room being silly and sing along. I miss him! And I second the recommendation for the Netflix documentary about this song! It’s short and interesting. I love your reaction!
My hometown skating rink in the late 1960’s...”The Lion Sleeps Tonight” starts to play and EVERYBODY is smiling/singing as they’re skating. Great memory!
I remember singing this around the campfire with Girl Scouts way before lion king came out. Good times.
What no kumbaya?
Damn you missed the skinny dipping too! Lol
I remember dancing around and singing to this when I was 8 years old....I am 57
1962....a great year in music....the lead singer, Jay Siegel, is in his late 70’s and still sings it in the same key. Watch them do it live on RUclips from one of the PBS Doo Wop specials...you’ll be blown away.
I saw the Tokens 40 years after this song was released.And the lead singer could still hit those high notes.
My mom use to do a dance step to this called the stroll or the camel walk and it was so fun. She taught us all how to do it there were four of us all dancing around the living room. At the time she did ironing for other people at 10 cents a shirt.
You will never find another like this! Did you notice you were actually dancing sitting there listening. A wonderful performance!
When you look at the album cover, and with a name like "The Tokens," you DEFINITELY don't expect the sound that comes out of the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Even before the phrase "cult classic" was thought of, this song was that. You heard it EVERYWHERE. At the time, most people thought it was a bit strange, and yet the radio stations played it over and over, and everybody was singing it constantly. It truly IS a classic. GREAT song! LOVED your reaction!
From the days when it was just music and creativity wasn't stifled by record labels.
True story: I adopted my son when he was 5. I thought he’d think this was fun so it became ‘our song’. We had a little dance routine and everything. In the plane home, he was wearing earphones and this came on his song rotation. He started singing the high pitched Eee but no one else could hear the music. An old man 2 rows up started ‘awoomawoop awoomawoop’.
He just heard this come on and ran in to start his funny dance.
That's so cute.
😁😁Brilliant
That's awesome!!!
What a precious memory you share
So cute!!😁
I forgot this was once my favorite song. “The Letter” by the Box Tops is also a classic.
Oh I love that song "The Letter" I hope he reacts to it.
Hey, thanks for mentioning The Letter! I forgot about that song til I read your comment and just added it to my playlist! Great song.
Childhood favorite! 💜💜💜
That was another group who I felt like an idiot for just *assuming* were Black, back in the day, lol. I was today years old when I realized the same thing about The Tokens!
I guess always just associated white doo-wop with Franki Valli and....that's about it.
As far as AA musicians in our pasty white house, we always just listened to Ray Charles and Nat King Cole growing up, other than that the old man only liked Country music, and Bing Crosby. We were huge Charlie Pride fans!
Thank God for Soul Train, and Showtime at The Apollo! MTv was a great leveler. That gave everybody (almost) EVERYTHING!!
Still, we ALL have to *continually* evolve, we will never one of us be finally "there".
There is a video out there somewhere that shows them doing this live, there is a lady hitting those highs in the background...she nails it. Anita Darian, check her out.
I don't know what style you would call it, it is really a mix, do whop, but like you, I like it. I love it watching you when you get 30 seconds into a song and it is unlike anything you have heard before. This song has rock, folk,...it is all in there heard and you just know you like it...and it gets better from there, LOL.
Your whole face lights up. Really is fun to watch.
The nice thing about the 60's and 70's was that we just had music and didn't worry about "classifying" it. That all came about because of marketers and demographics. We just called this a song we liked.
Thank you - such a great and important point to make! If it was popular, it got airplay; the diversity was fabulous!
So Jazz, Blues, Big Band, Swing, Country, Pop, Classical, Mowtown, Doo-Wop, Rockabilly, Rhythm and Blues, Rock, Folk, Surf, Garage, Prog Rock, Disco, Ragtime, Funk, Soul, Latin .... ETC just didn't exist? Get out of here with that no music knowledge mouth lol
Yes!! Plz never put music in a box. Its to be enjoyed,not over analyzed to death! Its just fun and a good one to hear.. anytime. 👍😎
This was a 'crossover' song. Most music WAS kept in genres and you were considered weird in high school if you were white and liked soul, for instance...or black and liked some band like Skynard...
This is my grandma and grandpa's song. The first song they danced to
Aw, that is so sweet.
I think almost everyone likes this song.
My ex-brother-in-law hated this song. Thank God he's now my EX-brother-in-law.
@@joeheid4757 ..anyone that hates this song is kinda dead inside.
@@rullmourn1142 Explains to me why he's my sisters EX, and why he had no friends 🤯😁
hahah ...ok , well ...i despise this song
@Elijah Mathews Henry.. Wow, look at you. Bring me another hot pocket mom, I'm being a bad ass on RUclips..
Now that you've heard this, you realise that from now on, the urge to The Lion Sleeps Tonight will always be a whim away
That was punny!!😂
I always loved this song, it was first released by The Tokens in 1961 and it has been played on radio stations all over the world ever since.
My mom used to play me the original Solomon Linda and Myriam Makeba versions when I was young, I didn't hear this one until I was in my teens.
I was scrolling through the comments looking to see if anyone mentioned Miriam Makeba, such an amazing version.
I remember this came out when I was little. I loved it. Every time came on the radio I would sing my heart out. I still love it.
Pure talent across the board, who wldn't love this song, there voices jst meld together flawlessly, love this and thanks so much for reacting to it
This was one of the classic "fun" songs from my youth.
It is so fun for this lady old enough to be your grandma to see you enjoy so many of the good old songs. Keep exploring and posting!
There was quite a controversy a while ago; a South African artist was the composer of the song. The original song 'Wimoweh' was written and sung by a Zulu migrant worker, Solomon Linda. It was written in the Zulu language and was produced by Gallo Records in South Africa 🇿🇦 The English lyrics were written by George David Weiss. This was in 1939 and recorded on 78rpm vinyl. It was the first record to sell over 100 000 copies.
Unfortunately he never was given the credit for this. No royalties etc. The story goes on, but I think that's enough for now.
Listen to it being sung by The Tokens.
PURE "Sonic-CANDY"...!!! from 1961... a TIMELESS Classic recording : )
Nice 60s song, the 50s&. 60s was the best music in the world. Great pick jay. 👍👍😍😍
Jay there is no way I could listen to this and see your reaction without a huge smile on my face. I actually watched 3 times! Keep it rockin dude ✌🏼
This was adapted from an African lullaby that mothers would sing to their children at night to help them get to sleep. If the lion is sleeping.....all is well, there is no danger, you can sleep peacefully...
False🤦♂️
Nice to see reactions from people your generation enjoying what I grew up with. I'll be 74 on the 27th. I would call this doo wop
Please consider Harry Nillson - Everybody's talking.
Thanks.
One of my FAVORITE SONGS OF ALL TIME!! This is such a unique song...sung by men!! The voices, the lyrics, the beat!! I could listen to this FOREVER!!💙💙💙😇💙
“That lion sleeps everywhere.” Hahahahaha
I sang this song in a junior high school choir concert. It will always have a special place in my heart. I can’t ever hear this song and not sing along! 😁😁😁😁
It's something you weren't ready for wasn't it? That is exactly why it was popular. Something new but with a beat.
Like you said, " Everyday is something new." Glad you liked it.
Mass sing along anywhere it’s played.. can’t imagine this had not been heard someplace along anyone’s life.
This song is actually a very old African folk song sang by tribesmen for eternity. It was stolen from a guy in Africa, his descendants sued for compensation
Great choice for the vocal range of the lead singer. If you love walking around all day with a song stuck in your head, its an amazing tune. Never apologize for loving a tune or being surprised by them. Its why we all watch your you tube channel. Youre not afraid to take on all genres n styles of songs. Keeps us coming back.
"Let's Get It!"
Live for your cheer to listening to music.
This song used to make me so happy as a baby girl. Made me feel safer with my jungle bedsheets and the stuffed lion I slept with.
TBH, I was a baby when someone started looking in the windows. My parents didn't believed a baby at first. They thought it was a bad dream.
But..my Dad figured out it was probably someone trying to look at my oblivious Mum.
Dad lined the windows with razor blades. Took plywood and put big nails in it, up.
A neighbor woke up for a glass of water and saw our OTHER neighbor screaming in pain, plywood stuck to his foot. He left his chair there. They moved out shortly after.
So maybe believe the babies when they say they see something. And always cuddle your lion!
That's quite a story!
@@kestrelle5345 Love your profile picture!!!
@@Johonnac LOL. It's a still from Moonrise Kingdom.
I sang this song with the car radio in the family station wagon at the top of my lungs at four years old. I’d always ask, “Daddy, turn it up!” I had all the lyrics wrong of course. Thanks for such a sweet memory. He was 29 and now he’s 89.
The urge to break into this song is only ever a whim away...
Hey when my dad who is 84 was in high school he had a band with some friends and this was their big hit. Super fun song.
Lol my brother was in this band for about 7 years...used to drive us crazy hearing it all the time but I must confess that I would have him sing the first part of the song for my friends 😄oh and btw that is the sax and he played that part too 😊
So much joy I felt it too even though I heard this song 1000 times it was like listening to it for the first time again love you
I highly suggest watching the documentary “The Lion’s Share” on Netflix. It is about this song and particularly its African roots. The original artist was Solomon Linda & The Evening Birds. It was recorded in South Africa in 1939 but was appropriated in the U.S. Solomon Linda’s descendants have had to fight for royalties and recognition and the documentary tells their story.
I was going to recommend that also, very illuminating documentary. I wasn't aware of the history behind the song at all until I saw it.
@@stennieville I wasn’t either but I was curious and googled to find out who wrote it, which led me to the film. I wish white artists at the time had credited the African artists who originated it.
I was going to recommend that too. It’s from a good documentary series!
@@normanelson2029 well for the tokens, they didn’t know.
This is the FIRST song I can remember that featured harmonies. Since that time, the bar has been set pretty damn high! Great song & reaction!
Robert John in the 1970s did a good cover of this song.
Everyone who hears this song loves it! The soprano you hear during the refrain is actually a woman hired for the part. Here's a wikipedia article with some background info. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_Sleeps_Tonight
This is one of those songs where you will always remember where you were the first time you heard it.
Absolutely!
This guy is so sweet and genuine, he loves music so much, so enjoyable to see him happy.
a huge hit in 1961 .The group is from Brooklyn and originally formed by the pop legend Neil Sedaka
This was played so much when it first came out that I was rooting for the lion...still love the lead singer's voice.
Put that on at a party when a few drinks have been had, the best song
And 60 years later, they're still hitting those notes in live concert. BTW, that lion sleeps any damned place he want to sleep. ;-D GREAT reaction video.
I saw a video of this group performing this song when they were older. In the video, it is a woman that hits those high notes
I saw them several years ago and the guy STILL can hit that note!!!
ANOTHER song my mother said the wrong lyrics. She would sing “ I’m Ringin Wet!”
My friend used to say "My weiner's wet".
@@helgar791 🤣🤣🤣🤣
LMMAAAOOO
I was 5 years old when this was released & it still gets me dancing.
This is an Anglicised version of a song originally recorded by a Zulu singer-songwriter in South Africa about 80 years ago.
I`m 62 and what I find great about your reaction videos is that it reminds me about all the great songs that I have forgotten, thank you greetings from Australia
The tokens were a doo-wop group from the 50s and 60s they recorded this song in 1961 they made it into a doo-wop version and it was a giant hit
So I love it when these young guys like Jayvee first hear the cool songs from back then. It was such a rich time for great songs. Growing up in those years there were so many great groups, great new songs on the radio almost every day. Looking back now, I can appreciate what a FANTASTIC music period it was. And seeing these young people also going nuts for the music is priceless.
You should check out Tears On My Pillow a song by Little Anthony and the Imperials.
There is actually a live version that is amazing.
This is based on an original African song and adapted to popular music of the 1960s
Seen The Tokens in various forms several times over the years. As with almost all the groups of the time, so talented and entertainers all the way. No matter your age, if you ever get to see a doo-wop revival show at some point, take the opportunity. For what original members are left, you can see the joy in the faces and how thankful and appreciative they are that people still love seeing them perform.
Thanks for bringing this type of music to new generations J.
Keep 'em coming!
"In the village, in the jungle, a lion's going to sleep where a lion wants to sleep!" Jovaughn, you made me laugh!
We used to play this for our kids when they were small. Now we're playing it for our grandkids and they love it!
Tokens released this song way back in 1961
From now on, at any time, the urge to sing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", is only
'a whim away'! 😄💖
This was a big hit back in the 60s! We did not know what it was back in the 60s too, but we liked it!
Actually came out in 1961
This isn't from the 70s
@@Shawney-jf6kc Ya, your right it was 61, I was born in 60 and I just remember them playing it a lot on the AM radio back went most cars only had an AM radio and I Remember them playing it a lot at the all-night skate at the roller rinks in the 70sTo! ⛸😎
@@intotheblue96 Ya, your right!
Love your reaction this song has given me goosebumps for over 40 yrs.
I am 63 years old and I remember my mother holding me over her shoulder , while vaccuuming the floor and her singing along with this record.. It was a hit just before I was born I believe...
In October of 1972, I turned 6 years old & my dad gifted me with a portable record player & a box of 45 r.p.m. records he had collected when he was younger. This single was among the music he gave me. My dad gifted me with music on many birthdays. It was something special we shared.
It's called talent
My favorite song to sing when on a long drive. I turn up the radio very loud and me and the family sing with all of our hearts. Many amazing memories with this song
I was 3 years old I believe when this song came out around 1960 I think I could be off by a year or two but this was an absolutely monster hit back then I think this might be a one hit wonder group correct me if I'm wrong but I think they never had anything else after the song...
@Alan Gould txs Alan...I didn't know that.. I'll have to check them out!
I saw them in concert about 30 years ago at the local middle school. Enjoyed it immensely. Misheard song lyrics, my wings are wet, my wings are wet. Lol!
If this doesn’t get you moving, nothing will.
Love your reaction to this made me smile big time ha ha.
Have you heard Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a vocal group from South Africa? They sing this song, too. Their style is incredible, and you must check them out. I also recommend Fela Kuti, from Nigeria, starting with "Lady" or "Zombie."
I agree with Fela Kuti suggestions.
Original to 1939 South Africa Solomon Linda under the title (Mbube) it was written in zulu originally
The way you react to hearing this for the first time......... I did the same about 50 yrs ago... and I still get goose bumps every time I hear it. Love the way you hear music from "my youth"with fresh ears. Very open minded Jayvee, keep it up..
Check out locomotion from Kylie
I grew up in the early 70s with the radio on with my friends at the river going crazy when this song playing
Hey @JayveeTV can you please react to "My World" by the Beegees and "Tequilla" by the champs?
I totally forgot about this song. But it was played in the radio very often although it was an oldie in the 70s/80s. I just read that Neil Sedaka was one of the singers. I only know him singing solo. He would be a good choice, too. There are so many songs of him I used to sing along all the time: "Oh! Carol", "Breaking up is hard to do", "Next door to an angel", "Calender Girl".