Civilization (song)
3003150
211785208
2008-05-12T02:24:03Z
Markoff Chaney
1981429
/* Concept */
'''"Civilization"''' is a [[popular music|popular]] [[song]].
It was written by [[Bob Hilliard]] and [[Carl Sigman]] and published in [[1947 in music|1947]] and introduced in the [[1947]] [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] [[musical play|musical]], ''Angel in the Wings.''
The song is sometimes also known as "Bongo, Bongo, Bongo (I Don't Want to Leave the Congo)" from its first line, but "Civilization" is in fact the official title.
== Concept ==
The song is a [[satire]] sang by a native "savage," whose village has recently been settled by a missionary and other "civilized" people, who have been trying to make the tribe into a civilized place. However, the savage thinks differently, and sings about the major flaws and civilized places, and that he will stay where he lives (presumably the Congo, as referenced by its line mentioned above as an alternate title).
== Recordings ==
Many recorded versions made the [[Billboard magazine]] charts: by [[The Andrews Sisters]] and [[Danny Kaye]], by [[Louis Prima]], by [["Smilin'" Jack Smith (music)|Jack Smith]], by [[Ray McKinley]] and by [[Woody Herman]].
[[The Andrews Sisters]]/[[Danny Kaye]] recording was recorded September 27, 1947 and released by [[Decca Records]] as [[Catalog numbering systems for single records|catalog number]] 24462. The record first reached the [[Billboard magazine]] charts on [[November 14]], [[1947 in music|1947]] and lasted 10 weeks on the chart, peaking at #3. <ref name=Whitburn>
{{cite book
| last = Whitburn
| first = Joel
| authorlink = Joel Whitburn
| title = Top Pop Records 1940-1955
| publisher = Record Research
| year = 1973 }}
</ref>
The [[Louis Prima]] recording was recorded July 24, 1947 and released by [[RCA Victor Records]] as catalog number 20-2400. The record first reached the [[Billboard magazine]] charts on [[November 7]], [[1947 in music|1947]] and lasted eight weeks on the chart, peaking at #8. <ref name=Whitburn/>
The [["Smilin'" Jack Smith (music)|Jack Smith]] recording was released by [[Capitol Records]] as catalog number 465. The record first reached the [[Billboard magazine]] charts on [[December 26]], [[1947 in music|1947]] and lasted two weeks on the chart, peaking at #14. <ref name=Whitburn/>
The [[Ray McKinley]] recording was released by [[Majestic Records]] as catalog number 7274. The record first reached the [[Billboard magazine]] charts on [[December 26]], [[1947 in music|1947]] and lasted one week on the chart, at #14. <ref name=Whitburn/>
The [[Woody Herman]] recording was released by [[Columbia Records]] as catalog number 37885. The record first reached the [[Billboard magazine]] charts on [[December 26]], [[1947 in music|1947]] and lasted one week on the chart, at #15. <ref name=Whitburn/>
[[Dyan Cannon]] also performed the song on ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' along with several muppet jungle animals.
==External links==
* [http://ntl.matrix.com.br/pfilho/html/lyrics/c/civilization_bongo_bongo_bongo.txt Song lyric]
* [http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/c/civilizationbongobongobongo.shtml Alternate site for lyric]
==References==
<references />
[[Category:1947 songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Bob Hilliard]]
[[Category:Songs by Carl Sigman]]
[[Category:Fictional civilizations]]