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Donovan — Riki Tiki Tavi
Album: Open Road
Avg rating:
5.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 692









Released: 1970
Length: 2:55
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Better get into what you gotta get into
Better get into it now, no slacking please
United Nations ain't really united
And the organisations ain't really organised

Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Won't be coming around for to kill your snakes no more my love
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone

(Every)body who read the Jungle Book knows that Riki tiki tavi's a
mongoose who kills snakes
(Well) when I was a young man I was led to believe there were organisations
to kill my snakes for me
(ie the) church ie the government ie the school
(but when I got a little older) I learned I had to kill them myself

(I said) Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Won't be coming around for to kill your snakes no more my love
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone

People walk around they don't know what they're doing
They bin lost so long they don't know what they've been looking for
Well, I know what I'm a looking for but I just can't find it
I guess I gotta look inside of myself some more

oh oh oh inside of myself some more
oh oh oh inside of myself some more

Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone


I saw you today on a number twelve
bus you were going my way
my way
Comments (59)add comment
Many moons ago, we had a South African English Master at school and he had us read RTT. We used to crease up at his clipped SA accent pronouncing the title, which he was asked to do a number of times on the pretence that we couldn't understand what he was asking us to do.

He was a great teacher and took it well and in his stride. Mr Davis, if you are reading this...
Posted 7 months ago by terryd    [ Reply ]
We were taught Riki Tiki Tavi in English lessons by a South African English teacher with a thick SA accent.

This made me smile.
Posted 11 months ago by terryd    [ Reply ]
well…HERE’S a tune I would never listen to nor seek out were it not for RP.

Thanks, RP. You teach me tolerance and patience….two things I can’t stand to wait for!
Posted 1 year ago by Roguewarer    [ Reply ]
it's like Donovan doing hip hop...
Posted 1 year ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
You had to have been there.
Posted 1 year ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
 cgrow wrote:

Rudyard Kipling wrote the original story of Riki Tiki Tavi. He was a sweet young mongoose who heroically saved a family from being killed by cobras.



yes yes yes. i remember the movie/cartoon very well. so great.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
This is just so weird.
Posted 1 year ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
What a wonderful choice to play Bill; albeit this virus is deadly serious, we are still allowed to have fun, I hope 
Posted 4 years ago by Jamus    [ Reply ]
 kylieh wrote:
Can't decide if I like it or find it totally annoying.
 

I generally like Bill’s choices and some of Donovan, but this is definitely “annoying” to me.
Posted 4 years ago by philip1    [ Reply ]
I always like the ending of this one... kinda wish he would have flowed into another song "Number 12 Bus".
Posted 5 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Can't decide if I like it or find it totally annoying.
Posted 7 years ago by kylieh    [ Reply ]
Held a mongoose in Bali.. Was really surprised how docile it was.  
Posted 7 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Gotta love Donovan on RP!

 
This must be from his Death Metal period.
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:
Jay Leno called. He wants his chin back. Sorry, but that cover photo was just too much to resist. The tune is harmless enough. c.
 
Good one, although Donovan was born 4 years before J Leno.
Posted 8 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Super tune
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 scarletdancer wrote:

Cool, I loved that movie when I was a kid!{#Cheesygrin}

 
Me too, I loved that story.
Kipling rocks.
Posted 9 years ago by wtango    [ Reply ]
Gotta love Donovan on RP!
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 peyotecoyote wrote:
Really don't care for this song much...but it did put an idea in my head for lunch...chicken tikki masala anyone? YUMMY!
 
I had a mongoose curry once.

The answer is no.
Posted 9 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
NOT a greatest hit. Donovan's other tracks are FAR better...
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Visionary!
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
 ryuujin23 wrote:
Chuck Jones directed an animated version of Kipling's story in 1975. It was narrated by Orson Wells.

Riki Tiki Tavi part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CrEX4MxAzA
Riki Tiki Tavi part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPXSaFqxrWs
Riki Tiki Tavi part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seoKslUkDkE

Enjoy! {#Mrgreen}
 
Cool, I loved that movie when I was a kid!{#Cheesygrin}
Posted 16 years ago by scarletdancer    [ Reply ]
 carpwall wrote:
Sounds like Jack White..
 
More like the opposite.  Donovan came first by quite a bit.  No doubt there's some influence there, although I think Jack White sounds more like Robert Plant.  Anyway, fun tune.  Always good to hear Donovan on RP.{#Daisy}
Posted 16 years ago by scarletdancer    [ Reply ]
Chuck Jones directed an animated version of Kipling's story in 1975. It was narrated by Orson Wells.

Riki Tiki Tavi part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CrEX4MxAzA
Riki Tiki Tavi part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPXSaFqxrWs
Riki Tiki Tavi part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seoKslUkDkE

Enjoy! {#Mrgreen}

Posted 16 years ago by ryuujin23    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Jack White..
Posted 16 years ago by carpwall    [ Reply ]
my head hurts
Posted 16 years ago by ejsamuel    [ Reply ]
peyotecoyote wrote:
Really don't care for this song much...but it did put an idea in my head for lunch...chicken tikki masala anyone? YUMMY!
Heyyyyy! That's what I had for lunch today.
Posted 16 years ago by underarmor    [ Reply ]
Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote:
i'm pretty sure the tale of riki tiki is older than me... so i'm sure the story came first (it was originally from india, if i'm not mistaken).
1894 - Rudyard Kipling - The Jungle Books. W-a-a-a-y before!
Posted 16 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
cc_rider wrote:
Jay Leno called. He wants his chin back. Sorry, but that cover photo was just too much to resist. The tune is harmless enough. c.
Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
Jay Leno called. He wants his chin back. Sorry, but that cover photo was just too much to resist. The tune is harmless enough. c.
Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Really don't care for this song much...but it did put an idea in my head for lunch...chicken tikki masala anyone? YUMMY!
Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
Riki Tiki Tavi was way too dignified for this goofy-ass song - and what cartoon is everyone talking about? The only Riki Tiki I know of is from the Rudyard Kipling story...
Posted 16 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
I didn't know Donovan ever had enough hits to have a Greatest Hits album! This song is so bad that even orange sunshine wouldn't make it sound good!
Posted 16 years ago by SDBob    [ Reply ]
The great thing about this song is that it makes everyone go into uncontrollable fits of singing "riki tiki tiki tiki tiki....." At least everyone in my office, anyway.
Posted 16 years ago by ekalvi    [ Reply ]
At first I thought this was "Little Green Bag" ... but it's something else.
Posted 16 years ago by wferrier    [ Reply ]
Way Way back,(about 35 or more years ago)I had an album that was Riki Tiki as an audio book that had a read along. The read along dissapeared and the album became an inaudible book I loved that story
Posted 17 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
Donovan is the most eclectic man ever
Oh Yea! That he is an' all ways was!
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
This is some interesting sh*t.
Posted 17 years ago by TimeWaster    [ Reply ]
zlsdad wrote:
I guess that makes anyone weird if tuned in to Radio Paradise.....which is fine with me.
I don't mind it either
Posted 17 years ago by Matts    [ Reply ]
What a fun song :D
Posted 19 years ago by DMay    [ Reply ]
MORE COWBELL!!!!!!
Posted 19 years ago by srbarry    [ Reply ]
akaike wrote:
Any song that makes generous use of a cowbell is OK by me!
You should check out Goldfrapp
Posted 19 years ago by coentje    [ Reply ]
pdhski wrote:
i.e. he's a weirdo
I guess that makes anyone weird if tuned in to Radio Paradise.....which is fine with me.
Posted 19 years ago by zlsdad    [ Reply ]
Loved this cartoon. Funky tune.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Any song that makes generous use of a cowbell is OK by me!
Posted 19 years ago by akaike    [ Reply ]
Cool song, but sounds like he's saying "Riki Tiki TV" or "Tivi" rather than "Tavi".
Posted 20 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
i.e. The Church i.e. The Government i.e. School (Hey Bill, why doesn't the dancing emoticon work?) \:D/
Posted 20 years ago by rumplestiltskin    [ Reply ]
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
Donovan is the most eclectic man ever
i.e. he's a weirdo
Posted 20 years ago by pdhski    [ Reply ]
Donovan is the most eclectic man ever
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]
Not sure of the originination but Riki Tiki Tavi was used by a character to nickname another character in G. B. Shaw's play "Man and Superman" 101 years ago.
Posted 20 years ago by arighter2    [ Reply ]
Rudyard Kipling wrote the original story of Riki Tiki Tavi. He was a sweet young mongoose who heroically saved a family from being killed by cobras.
Posted 20 years ago by cgrow    [ Reply ]
bigpomp wrote:
Riki Tiki Tavi was one of my favorite cartoons as a kid. Anyone know which came first?
i'm pretty sure the tale of riki tiki is older than me... so i'm sure the story came first (it was originally from india, if i'm not mistaken).
Posted 20 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Riki Tiki Tavi was one of my favorite cartoons as a kid. Anyone know which came first?
Posted 20 years ago by bigpomp    [ Reply ]
Great Tune!!!
Posted 20 years ago by sharkartist    [ Reply ]
I think this was originally on an album called Open Roads, circa 1970-71. Great tune! Refreshing to hear it again. O-O-O-O-insida myself some more!
Posted 20 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
woohoo!!!!
Posted 20 years ago by jbwiv    [ Reply ]
catchy not too bad bill!!! DOnovan is pretty good I like the reggae feel.
Posted 20 years ago by Drunkenlilacwine    [ Reply ]
I can't believe you dug this one up Bill. I thought I would be the only one that could remember this one. Thanks for the memories. This is the last 45 single I ever bought before I converted to 8- tracks . I still have the 45... no more 8-tracks.
Posted 21 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to my childhood when I craved little more than a catchy tune, and this filled the bill, it must have, I remember it so well ... except I wouldn't have remembered it again without it being played here! I remembered the "i.e., the church/i.e., the government/i.e., school" as being something John Lennon sang. Man, this is it. This is it. No rehearsal, this; aliveness is present. The experience of being alive transforms life itself.
Posted 21 years ago by Brad_Eleven    [ Reply ]
I'm digging this!
Posted 21 years ago by GregX59    [ Reply ]