Evie Summers
The Lion Sleeps Tonight is a song that has been covered by various artists and has had a long journey from Mbube to Wimoweh to its final form. The song was originally written and recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda, a South African Zulu singer and songwriter. The song's lyrics were inspired by his childhood days of cattle herding and the threat of lions. The song has been the subject of legal battles over royalties and copyright, with Linda's descendants finally receiving compensation in 2006.
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What You'll Learn
The song's composer, Solomon Linda, died destitute in 1962
The song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is based on the original song Mbube (meaning "lion" in Zulu) by Solomon Popoli Linda, a South African musician, singer, and composer. Linda was born in 1909 in the Zulu heartland of South Africa and worked as a herder protecting cattle from lions. This experience inspired the lyrics of "Mbube," which center on the phrase "mbube zimbe," or "lion stop."
In 1939, Linda and his group, the Original Evening Birds, recorded "Mbube," which became the first African record to sell over 100,000 copies. However, despite the song's success, Linda signed away the rights to "Mbube" and did not receive proper credit or compensation for his work. The song was adapted and covered by various artists, with Linda's name disappearing from the writing credits.
Solomon Linda died in 1962 of kidney failure. He died destitute, despite the immense popularity and success of the song that was derived from his original composition. It was not until 18 years after his death that a tombstone was constructed at his gravesite.
In the years following Linda's death, there were efforts to seek justice and recognition for his contribution to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." In 2000, South African journalist Rian Malan brought attention to Linda's story and the estimated earnings of the song from its use in "The Lion King." Additionally, documentaries such as "A Lion's Trail" by Francois Verster and "The Lion's Share" shed light on the song's journey and the lawsuit against Disney for unpaid royalties.
In 2006, a settlement was reached, and Linda's estate, including his survivors, began receiving compensation and recognition for his role as the co-composer of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."
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The song's Zulu name and meaning
The song's Zulu name is "Mbube" (pronounced EEM-boo-beh), which means "lion". The original lyrics of the chorus are "Uyimbube", meaning "You're a lion" in Zulu. The song was written and first recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda, a South African Zulu singer from the Zulu heartland who worked for the Gallo Record Company in Johannesburg as a cleaner and record packer. He spent his weekends performing with his musical group, "The Evening Birds". It was at this record label, under the direction of producer "Griffiths Motsieloa", that Linda and his fellow musicians recorded several songs, including "Mbube", which incorporated a call-and-response pattern common among many Sub-Saharan African ethnic groups, including the Zulu.
The song is based on Linda's memories of his cattle herding days as a young boy, remembering how a lion on the prowl was chased away. The sparse lyrics of the song centre on the phrase "mbube zimbe", or "lion stop".
The song became the first African record to sell over 100,000 copies. However, Linda never received the royalties he was owed for "Wimoweh" and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", and he died destitute in 1962.
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The song's journey from Mbube to The Lion Sleeps Tonight
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song that has been recorded by numerous artists and has become a part of popular culture. The song was originally written and first recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda, a South African Zulu singer, under the title "Mbube", which means "lion" in Zulu. Linda worked for the Gallo Record Company in Johannesburg as a cleaner and record packer and spent his weekends performing with his musical ensemble, "The Evening Birds". The song incorporated a call-and-response pattern common among many Sub-Saharan African ethnic groups, including the Zulu.
"Mbube" became a hit in South Africa, and by 1948, the song had sold over 100,000 copies in Africa and among black South African immigrants in Great Britain, making Linda a star. The song also gave its name to a style of African a cappella music that evolved into Isicathamiya (also called Mbube music), popularized by the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. However, Linda received very little money for his work, and the success of "Mbube" became an example of the exploitation of Black musicians by the music industry.
In 1951, US folk singer Pete Seeger of the Weavers was given a copy of "Mbube" and decided to record a version with his band. In their version, the Zulu chorus of "uyimbube" ("You are a lion") became "wimoweh". The Weavers' version of the song became popular in the United States and was followed by other covers by artists such as Jimmy Dorsey and the Kingston Trio.
In 1961, the Tokens, a doo-wop group, added English lyrics to "Wimoweh", creating "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", which became a number-one hit in the United States. The English lyrics were written by George David Weiss. Within two years, there had been over 150 cover versions of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" worldwide, and Linda's name was absent from the writers' credits. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" has since been adapted and covered internationally by many pop and folk artists and has earned millions in royalties from cover versions and film licensing.
In 2004, the song became the subject of a lawsuit between Linda's estate and Disney, claiming that Disney owed $1.6 million in royalties for the use of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in the film and musical stage productions of "The Lion King". In 2006, Linda's descendants reached a legal settlement, and his survivors began receiving compensation.
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The song's complicated copyright history
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song with a complicated history, with its origins in a Zulu song called "Mbube" (meaning "lion" in Zulu) written and first recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda, a South African Zulu singer and songwriter. Linda worked for the Gallo Record Company in Johannesburg as a cleaner and record packer and spent his weekends performing with his musical group, "The Evening Birds". It was under this record label that Linda and his group recorded "Mbube", which incorporated a call-and-response pattern common among many Sub-Saharan African ethnic groups, including the Zulu. The song became the first African record to sell over 100,000 copies.
In 1951, "Mbube" was recorded in the United States by the Weavers, an American folk band, and published under the title "Wimoweh" by Folkways Records. "Wimoweh" is a mishearing of the original Zulu lyrics of the chorus "Uyimbube", which means "You're a lion". In 1957, The Weavers' live version of the song gave it another boost in popularity.
In 1961, Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore, two RCA Records producers, hired American lyricist George David Weiss to arrange a doo-wop cover of "Wimoweh" for the B-side of a 45-rpm single called "Tina", sung by the Tokens. Weiss added the now-famous English lyrics: "In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight..." and "Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling...". This new version, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", became a number-one hit in the United States and generated millions of dollars in royalties from cover versions and film licensing.
Despite the song's enormous success, Linda received little to no recognition or compensation for his work. He died destitute in 1962, having suffered from kidney failure. The song "Mbube" fell into the public domain in South Africa in 2012, but "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" remains in copyright and continues to be the subject of legal battles. In 2006, Linda's descendants reached a legal settlement with Abilene Music Publishers, who held the worldwide rights and had licensed the song to Disney, to place the earnings of the song in a trust.
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The song's numerous cover versions
The song has an extensive history of covers and adaptations, with artists across different genres offering their interpretations. One of the earliest and most notable covers was by the doo-wop group The Tokens, who released their version in 1961. This cover helped to popularize the song in the United States and introduced it to a wider audience. The Tokens' version featured a more upbeat and pop-oriented arrangement, emphasizing the catchy melody and harmonious vocals. Their version climbed to the top of the US charts and remained there for several weeks, solidifying the song's place in popular culture.
Over the years, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" has been covered by numerous other artists, each bringing their unique style to the song. In 1964, the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary recorded a version that incorporated gentle acoustic guitars and three-part harmonies, showcasing the song's versatility and appeal within the folk music genre. Their rendition further highlighted the song's lyrical narrative and imaginative imagery. In a more lighthearted take, the comedy duo of Allan Sherman and Albert Brooks recorded a parody version in 1963, titled "Camp Granada," which played up the song's potential association with childhood summer camps.
The song has also found popularity internationally, with covers in different languages reflecting its universal appeal. In 1972, the German band The Tremeloes released a version with a more rock-oriented arrangement, showcasing the song's ability to adapt to different musical styles. This version gained significant airplay in Europe and contributed to the song's enduring popularity on the continent. In 1993, the South African isicathamiya group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, famous for their vocal harmonies, recorded the song, bringing it back to its African roots and emphasizing the power of the song's original a capella nature.
More recently, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" has continued to inspire contemporary artists. In 2000, the movie "Gladiator" featured a version by the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who brought his operatic vocals to the song, creating a powerful and emotional rendition. This version showcased the song's ability to transcend genres and appeal to classical audiences as well. In 2019, the song was covered by the cast of the popular TV show "Glee," introducing it to a new generation of listeners and showcasing its enduring appeal and adaptability.
The numerous cover versions of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" are a testament to the song's enduring popularity and its ability to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers. Each artist who takes on the song brings their unique interpretation, be it through genre, arrangement, or stylistic choices, ensuring that the song remains fresh and engaging for new audiences while also paying homage to its rich history.
These interpretations have ensured that the song remains relevant and beloved, with each cover offering something new to discover and enjoy, whether it be a playful parody, a heartfelt folk rendition, or a grand operatic approach. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" has truly become a part of the global musical landscape, with its legacy continuing to grow and evolve.
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Frequently asked questions
The song was written and first recorded by Solomon Linda in 1939 under the title 'Mbube'.
The song's lyrics are about lions preying on cattle, inspired by Linda's childhood spent herding and protecting cattle from lions in the African hinterlands.
The song became popular in the US when it was adapted into English and performed by the Tokens in 1961. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and within two years, there were over 150 cover versions worldwide.
No, sadly Linda signed over the copyright to his song and died destitute in 1962. His family received compensation in 2006, and the song remains the subject of legal battles.
