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Manu Chao — Bongo Bong
Album: Clandestino
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2440









Released: 1998
Length: 2:39
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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Mama was queen of the mambo, Papa was king of the Congo
Deep down in the jungle I started bangin' my first bongo
Every monkey'd like to be in my place instead of me
'Cause I'm the king of bongo, baby I'm the king of bongo bong

I went to the big town where there is a lot of sound
From the jungle to the city looking for a bigger crown
So I play my boogie for the people of big city
But they don't go crazy when I'm bangin' on my boogie

I'm the "king of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
Hear me when I come, baby
"King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"

Nobody'd like to be in my place instead of me
'Cause nobody go crazy when I'm bangin' on my boogie
I'm a king without a crown hanging loose in a big town
But I'm the king of bongo, baby I'm the king of bongo bong

"King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
Hear me when I come, baby
"King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
Hear me when I come

They say that I'm a clown, making too much dirty sound
They say there is no place for little monkey in this town
Nobody'd like to be in my place instead of me
'Cause nobody go crazy when I'm bangin' on my boogie

"King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
Hear me when I come, baby
"King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
Hear me when I come

Bangin' on my bongo all that swing belongs to me
I'm so happy there's nobody in my place instead of me
I'm a king without a crown hanging loose in a big town
I'm the king of bongo, baby I'm the king of bongo bong

"King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
Hear me when I come, baby
"King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
Hear me when I come

Mama was queen of the mambo, Papa was king of the Congo
Deep down in the jungle I started bangin' my first bongo
Every monkey'd like to be in my place instead of me
'Cause I'm the king of bongo, baby I'm the king of bongo bong

Hear me when I come
Hear me when I come, baby
"King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
Hear me when I come
Comments (321)add comment
If you like this feel, check out Jonny Freesh on youtube - songs about durian, chocolate, life in Indonesia. Fun stuff.
Posted 2 days ago by debra.grogan    [ Reply ]
 Pitjes wrote:

The very best holyday song, ever! Planned a Boise Idaho trip, on R. Pirsig's traces, but if I arrive there, the Uni is closed, probably. It's gonna be a long distance voyage, from USE to the outback of knowledge, a la Paris/Texas, in our days, you know!


Been there done that? Or still on the road?
Well, if it is closed you can always sit down and write an essay about your trip starting from the brick on the right hand side at the top of the front door of the UNI ;) (if my memory serves me well here....).

In any case, happy travels  
Posted 2 months ago by Exebeche    [ Reply ]
Very silly, love it
Posted 2 months ago by ianshearer    [ Reply ]
The very best holyday song, ever! Planned a Boise Idaho trip, on R. Pirsig's traces, but if I arrive there, the Uni is closed, probably. It's gonna be a long distance voyage, from USE to the outback of knowledge, a la Paris/Texas, in our days, you know!
Posted 5 months ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
Hate this one. dont even know why. just makes me sad and depressed and angry
Posted 10 months ago by jot    [ Reply ]
Cute, but this was done back in 1998, when he was a young man?  After a few thousand times playing it from now to then what do you think he feels about it now, eh?  Wonder if it's like one of those tattoo's you get when young and on a drunk wild night and now, some 26 years later, you find yourself wondering...."WHAT was I THINKING!?!"  

Not that I'm projecting, of course.  Cute song, but....  🤣

Highlow
Posted 1 year ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
I love this bongo BONG!
Posted 1 year ago by PlasticBertrand    [ Reply ]
and yet… not a bongo to be heard😳🤓
Posted 1 year ago by jimmistrat2112    [ Reply ]
Why do songs like this always light up the red bars?!
Posted 2 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
I don't smoke pot so I listen to this to get a great buzz. Love Manu Chau!
Posted 3 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
 CamLwalk wrote:

He keeps saying he's King of the Bongo but I don't hear any bongos in this song


Came here to say exactly this...
Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
Love this!
Posted 3 years ago by mikegrinker    [ Reply ]
 prairie_girl wrote:

This is on a Putamayo kids album that we have - my kids love it and so do I. It's got a great groove!

Yeah! That's where it's from. Years since I heard this. Our kids loved it too.

Posted 3 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
WiffleGif
Posted 3 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
SEMPRE UNA SPLENDIDA CANZONE
Posted 3 years ago by Freeman71    [ Reply ]
This is on a Putamayo kids album that we have - my kids love it and so do I. It's got a great groove!
Posted 4 years ago by prairie_girl    [ Reply ]
 Shmelo wrote:

Audible atrocity.



Aw c'mon, have some fun :)
Posted 4 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
 camarkim wrote:
I've been listening to RP for years. This is the worst song I've evert heard here. Horrible.
 
If the musical gig doesn't work out, he's always got a career as an auctioneer waiting.
Posted 5 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
what a silly fun song...
Posted 5 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
He keeps saying he's King of the Bongo but I don't hear any bongos in this song
Posted 5 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
I dont know why I like this.

Its like an up-to-date hispanic version of Trios Dah Dah Dah.

I liked that too.

anyway, now it brings memories of a great 2 weeks in Thassos.

7
Posted 8 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
This is one of the few songs on the RP playlist I can't stomach.  I listen for hours at a time and almost always like or love everything.  But it's got a 6.1 average soooooo..... PSD!
Posted 8 years ago by lbaltz    [ Reply ]
 Johnny_Wave wrote:
This song sucks out loud

 
Is she saying, "He loves Obama, He loves Obama"? 
Posted 8 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
this song makes me happy anytime
you should see these guys live
it's a total party! 
Posted 8 years ago by irritatie    [ Reply ]
Man this song kicks ass,,,,,
Posted 8 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
This is a cover of a Mano Negra song “King of Bongo”. The original was a plain rock song, much more energetic, and has its roots in a 1939 recording of “King of the Bongo Bong” by the trumpeter Roy Eldridge. Bongo Bong was Manu Chao's first single as a solo artist and is obviously a tongue-in-cheek cover by Mano Negra's own former frontman. But I guess most people hear that dive bomb jingle and immediately dismiss it as childish and crap. Well, to each their own…
Posted 8 years ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
Audible atrocity.
Posted 8 years ago by Shmelo    [ Reply ]
Love it
Posted 8 years ago by dubberdan    [ Reply ]
8 -> 9
Manu Chao is a very talented person. 
Posted 8 years ago by Kaw    [ Reply ]
I love this album, generally I love Manu!{#Clap}{#Dancingbanana} Great to hear hin here!
Posted 8 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
Just say no.
Posted 9 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
Clearly a marmite song. I love it 
 
Posted 9 years ago by brownsr    [ Reply ]
 Johnny_Wave wrote:
This song sucks out loud

 
out loud even. {#Ask}
Posted 9 years ago by FourFortyEight    [ Reply ]
This song sucks out loud
Posted 9 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
 q4Fry wrote:
Depending on my mood, I think this song is hilarious. It gets a 6 for the moment.

 

No ambivalence here.  I'm never in the mood for this.


Posted 9 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 q4Fry wrote:
Depending on my mood, I think this song is hilarious. It gets a 6 for the moment.

 
Maybe this comment is why I already had this rated a 6. I have to up that rating though. The fact that I'm so torn about how I feel about this song is testimony enough about how special it is. 
Posted 9 years ago by JasondotG    [ Reply ]
Depending on my mood, I think this song is hilarious. It gets a 6 for the moment.
Posted 9 years ago by q4Fry    [ Reply ]
Bongo bong? 
I think that was one of my college theme chants.
That was then, this is now.
Now it's bongo da psd. 
 
Posted 10 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:
Do you like hardcore dance remixes?

I can't hear this song any other way now. Even as it was playing just now I was pitching it up and adding drum fills in my head. I love it!

 
Thanks for the recommendation.
Posted 10 years ago by timc    [ Reply ]
PSD worthy.
Posted 10 years ago by Andrew_C    [ Reply ]
Do you like hardcore dance remixes?

I can't hear this song any other way now. Even as it was playing just now I was pitching it up and adding drum fills in my head. I love it!
Posted 10 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 passsion8 wrote:
How did this get selected? Odd.

  Well,,,, there is a panel of high minded individuals who sit near the crater of Mount Pinatubo. Everyday the fumes from the still steaming volcano intoxicate them. They then move onto a vision quest where songs come to them in their dream state. They then come back to a conscious state where relay their experiences to one and other. They then chose.

Its either that,,,,or Bill picks them       


Posted 10 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
This song is bong.

Ya can't go wrong.

But he don't look strong.

Is his shadow long?

Is it Chinese or dong?

It would be if it's fong.

I use to play majong.
OK...I can write rap tunes.  Where is my mutha @#$ check?
Posted 10 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
How did this get selected? Odd.
Posted 10 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
I've been listening to RP for years. This is the worst song I've evert heard here. Horrible.
Posted 10 years ago by camarkim    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij30J9effYQ
Posted 10 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
 Lonestar wrote:
Increasingly annoying with each play. 

 
Hard to believe it could increase.
Posted 10 years ago by By_The_Bay    [ Reply ]
Back in college me and my friend used to sing "King of the Bongload" whilst partaking in such.  Those were good times.
Posted 10 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
One of my favourites.
Posted 10 years ago by Kaw    [ Reply ]
I don't want to work, I just want to bang on my bongo all day...
Posted 10 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Ha ha! So glad this is still being played here in spite of all the haters. This is a superb track. . . . 10. 
Posted 11 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 stunix wrote:
Just a novelty song guys, don't take it too seriously.  This caught my ear traveling through Greece in 2004 and I used it as my alarm clock tone for too long.
 
Sure thing but I still don't need to like it or listen to it. PSD... AWAY!!!!!
Posted 11 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Increasingly annoying with each play. 
Posted 11 years ago by Lonestar    [ Reply ]
Just a novelty song guys, don't take it too seriously.  This caught my ear traveling through Greece in 2004 and I used it as my alarm clock tone for too long.
Posted 11 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
I'll lump this in with "Gangman" style.....crap!
Posted 11 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
 stunix wrote:
good example of humour in music.   if you dont get it, your probably taking life too seriously.  shame.

 
sooo true n_n ...  those boring people
Posted 11 years ago by danucita    [ Reply ]
Poor derivative dribble. 
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
(Beavis and Butthead voice) Heh, heh, heh, he said "bong".

I like it ...... and vote 7!
Posted 12 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 shellbella wrote:
Stupid and annoying.
 
I agree - you are. However, this track is great! 10.
Posted 12 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
So many snobs in the comments... {#Nyah} 7.
Posted 12 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
Stupid and annoying.
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
Soooo annoying.  {#Beat}
Posted 12 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
Yes, this takes me back. It was a  big hit in Europe about 12 or so years ago — they used to play it on MTV alot. Quirky and fun, somehow gets under your skin in a good way. Though I remember thinking  it's a song that just wouldn't get airplay in North America. Thanks, RP for reminding me about those good times in Brussels.
Posted 12 years ago by Zedman    [ Reply ]
Agreed . . . annoying.
Posted 12 years ago by mikec09    [ Reply ]
Repeats a bit don't ya think? {#Rolleyes}
Posted 12 years ago by Fiji5555    [ Reply ]
Fine piece, thanks. More of Manu's other excellent material, e.g. Lagrimas d'oro, please!
Posted 12 years ago by kdarwish    [ Reply ]
I love this song!  Heard it for the first time on a radio station in the republic of Georgia in 2004.  I've been annoying people with it since then!
Posted 12 years ago by pallasathene82    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy}
Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Exhilarating, vibey, fun, happy... My best listens to this album have been while driving through Mozambique. Takes me straight there on this sunny Sunday afternoon!
Posted 12 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]
 zitherica wrote:
I have been to three Manu Chao concerts and they were just amazing. And all the people at the concert seemed to be enjoying as well. Plus, Manu Chao has a very strong social and (anti)political messages, so it kind of adds another dimensions to their concert. Saying they are terrible live is quite surprising, they are one of the greatest live bends I've heard...
 
I've only been to one Manu Chao concert and it was a near-religious experience.

This song is an instant 10! 
Posted 13 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
good example of humour in music.   if you dont get it, your probably taking life too seriously.  shame.
Posted 13 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana} My father met Manu when I was a little boy and he came to Ecuador. Now my father lives in France, and they see each other once in a while.
Posted 13 years ago by valeriogonzalez    [ Reply ]
What a crazy little song!
Posted 13 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
 cherjr wrote:

unfortunately, quite opposite: he's terrible live. very load, not nuanced, hardcore distorted ska-rhytmical crap :(

 
I have been to three Manu Chao concerts and they were just amazing. And all the people at the concert seemed to be enjoying as well. Plus, Manu Chao has a very strong social and (anti)political messages, so it kind of adds another dimensions to their concert. Saying they are terrible live is quite surprising, they are one of the greatest live bends I've heard...
Posted 13 years ago by zitherica    [ Reply ]
Soul destroying.
Posted 13 years ago by davidg109    [ Reply ]
Hmmm, not so much. But enjoy, those who like it.

{#Rolleyes}
Posted 13 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
 
Hope you washed your hands, young man. 
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]


Posted 13 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
 Boots77 wrote:
This is just plain FUN. 
 
If you're 8 years old.

Posted 13 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
 cherjr wrote:

unfortunately, quite opposite: he's terrible live. very load, not nuanced, hardcore distorted ska-rhytmical crap :(
 
I'm glad I'm not you.
Posted 13 years ago by slippery    [ Reply ]
There's a place for this song somewhere in a Disney movie.
Posted 13 years ago by PA1749    [ Reply ]
MUTE!
Posted 13 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
This is just plain FUN. 

Posted 13 years ago by Boots77    [ Reply ]
I like it. Keep it up RP
Posted 13 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS!  Never knew who or where it came from.  Thanks RP - NOTE....why so many bad reviews?  Don't get it...I like this one.  {#Dancingbanana}

Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
This is the most terrible song I have ever heard on RP 
Posted 13 years ago by madebytim    [ Reply ]
this is really bad.
Posted 14 years ago by yodasan_magoo    [ Reply ]
 Pharlap wrote:
thanks for this one. Always a pleasure. The guy must be great live.
 
unfortunately, quite opposite: he's terrible live. very load, not nuanced, hardcore distorted ska-rhytmical crap :(

Posted 14 years ago by cherjr    [ Reply ]
 Pharlap wrote:
thanks for this one. Always a pleasure. The guy must be great live.
 
Saw him live a few years ago. The guy is high energy and LOUD. Awesome show.
Posted 14 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
I used to live above a restaurant in France that played that song all night long, every nights during summer...

Cannot listen, must... downvote!

Sucko-barfo.
 aelfheld wrote:

I find myself despising this, and enjoying myself for it.

/Don't read too much into that
 


Posted 14 years ago by palad1    [ Reply ]
I hear the vocalist sound of Cake...this is not a good thing. Nada.
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
thanks for this one. Always a pleasure. The guy must be great live.
Posted 14 years ago by Pharlap    [ Reply ]
 Raechel wrote:

i find myself enjoying this, and despising myself for it
 
I find myself despising this, and enjoying myself for it.

/Don't read too much into that


Posted 14 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]

saw his show in dallas 3 or 4 yrs ago at the palladium and it was great.  ran into him after the show on our way to the car (on his way to trailer) and he was friendly enough to chat for a minute and take a photo with wifey. 


Posted 14 years ago by Kregg    [ Reply ]
 Raechel wrote:

 

i find myself enjoying this, and despising myself for it


 

likewise
Posted 15 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]

 

i find myself enjoying this, and despising myself for it


Posted 15 years ago by Raechel    [ Reply ]

This Bongo?


Posted 15 years ago by Jonathan_pa    [ Reply ]
King of the bongo
Posted 15 years ago by Supernat    [ Reply ]

Tocando la guitarra by ~profanation-funky
Ananas  ©2008-2010 ~profanation-funky

p.s: c'est Manu Chao pour ceux qui n'auraient pas compris
Manu Chao & Radio Bemba - L'Hiver Est Là, Live Baionarena (2008)
"Pure adrenalin"

Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 pallasathene82 wrote:
*snort*  This seems like a slightly odd kids song, given the "hit me when I cum" line.  But then again, I'm a perv.
 
"HEAR me when I come"

You are a perv but it's what we like about you {#Whipit}
Posted 15 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:


You have a serious misunderstanding of what the RP song comments pages are all about.  Maybe you should take your own advice.  If you don't like the comments, just go somewhere else.

 
No... he pretty much got it right. 

Posted 15 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Bongo Brothers

We are Bongo Brothers, searching for the new sound!
Posted 15 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
 mtmedlin wrote:
How cool.  Never expected to hear this song here.  This is on one of my kids' Putamayo children's CDs.  A favorite around our house.
And nice to hear here.
—mike
 
*snort*  This seems like a slightly odd kids song, given the "hit me when I cum" line.  But then again, I'm a perv.

Posted 15 years ago by pallasathene82    [ Reply ]

Manu Chao - "Mi Vida" Live

Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
 doc_dave wrote:
I guess this is one of those songs you need to be in the mood for....

Guess I'm not in the mood. {#Shhh} <...momentary mute...>

 
totally agree - i didn't like this the first time i heard it but now, with a beer down and another in process, I find it quite fun

Posted 15 years ago by raerae333    [ Reply ]

Manu Chao - "Mentira" video

Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]

Manu Chao -  Interview

Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 Jungle_Jim wrote:
I saw Manu Chao give a free concert during the infamous G8 protests at Genoa on 2001. There was a sea of young Italian, Spanish, German, English, Greek (and the rest of Europe) anti-capitalist protesters loving it. For me Manu Chao has come to represent those times - between the WTO protests Seattle in 1999 and Genoa 2001 - when everyone was talking about the Zapatistas and neo-liberalism and the so-called 'anti-globalization movement' (meaning anti-globalized capitalism). Manu Chao bottled that vibe on this album. After 2001 of course that particular timeframe ended and the anti-war movements kicked off after 9-11 and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
 
Thanks for sharing — and I completely get what you said about bottling 'that vibe.'  I was living in Paris for those two years and that's where I learned of his music.

Posted 15 years ago by kaubey    [ Reply ]
How cool.  Never expected to hear this song here.  This is on one of my kids' Putamayo children's CDs.  A favorite around our house.
And nice to hear here.
—mike


Posted 15 years ago by mtmedlin    [ Reply ]
Catchy...good party mix music.
Posted 15 years ago by Nhodson22    [ Reply ]
sucks
Posted 15 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
I saw Manu Chao give a free concert during the infamous G8 protests at Genoa on 2001. There was a sea of young Italian, Spanish, German, English, Greek (and the rest of Europe) anti-capitalist protesters loving it. For me Manu Chao has come to represent those times - between the WTO protests Seattle in 1999 and Genoa 2001 - when everyone was talking about the Zapatistas and neo-liberalism and the so-called 'anti-globalization movement' (meaning anti-globalized capitalism). Manu Chao bottled that vibe on this album. After 2001 of course that particular timeframe ended and the anti-war movements kicked off after 9-11 and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Posted 16 years ago by Jungle_Jim    [ Reply ]
 azdcryan wrote:
While the song wasn't terribly inspiring...it did make me click the page to see if he was in fact saying "King of the bongload".
...which he wasn't, regrettably.
...right, wrong, or indifferent...that would have been more amusing at the very least.
 
Haha, funny. Ok, i guess Manu Chao has made his "experiences" in smokin' weed (maybe he still do), but he wouldn't make a song with lyrics that obvious. ^^

Posted 16 years ago by Mnemo    [ Reply ]
         . . . sorry, it had to be done.

Posted 16 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 tm wrote:
What happened to people taking personal responsibility for the way they are feeling...

Look you create your world!  SO IF IT SUCKS TO YOU - CHANGE THE CHANNEL!

I always preface my own mindset/feelings when I say I am not happy with some song or other, but I know it's me not the music.

Someone somewhere out there will love something - I personally LOVE Manu Chau - but I lived in Europe and had many good times with it in the background.  I personally love the variety and styles of music played here and am not always in the mood for every song they play when they play it - but it's ME that's the constant not the Music because as you see around you - others Love the same song you are dissing.  So get over yourselves.
 
     1.) This isn't your personal radio station - this is Bill and Rebecca's
     2.) If you don't like most of what they play - GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!
     3.) If you are super unhappy about life - see someone else, go for a walk in nature, do something to try and change it. 
 

You have a serious misunderstanding of what the RP song comments pages are all about.  Maybe you should take your own advice.  If you don't like the comments, just go somewhere else.

Posted 16 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
This isn't the sort of song I would normally rate particularly high, but it has major sentimental value to me. The two bars that I frequented throughout my late 20s and early-to-mid 30s had very eclectic jukeboxes (one bar begat the other), and this CD was on there. This particular track was a favorite of one of the bartenders (and owner of the second bar), and always brings back fond memories when I hear it.
 
To you, Thom. May you rest in peace.  
Posted 16 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
The singer sounds as tired of the song as I am.

Posted 16 years ago by jjfflyboy    [ Reply ]
king of the bongo?  with no bongo?
Posted 16 years ago by scottflory    [ Reply ]
 doc_dave wrote:
I guess this is one of those songs you need to be in the mood for....

Guess I'm not in the mood. {#Shhh} <...momentary mute...>
 
wow!  is that ever the truth.   2 up to 7 
Posted 16 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]