Skokiaan
Kermit Ruffins
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Oh, Far away in Africa Happy happy Africa They sing a-bing-a-bang-a-bingo They have a ball and really go Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan Oh, Take a trip to Africa Take any ship to Africa Come on along and learn the lingo Inside a jungle bungalow Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan Hot drums are drummin', the Hot strings are strummin', and Warm lips are blissful, they're Kissful of Skokiaan
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Written by: August Msururgwa, Tom Glazer
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Origin"Skokiaan" is a popular tune originally from Zimbabwe, written in the late 1940s. Its title translates to "illegal homemade brew", referring to the potent traditional alcoholic beverage from the country.
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Bill Haley's VersionRock and roll pioneer Bill Haley and his band, the Comets, recorded a version of "Skokiaan" in 1955. His rendition is recognized for incorporating the signature rock and roll style, instead of the original African folk rhythm.
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Record SalesHaley's rendition of "Skokiaan" reached number 13 on the Billboard Top 100 and sold over 1 million copies worldwide.
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Kermit Ruffins' VersionNew Orleans Jazz artist, Kermit Ruffins, also recorded his own version of "Skokiaan", giving it a jazzy and old-school feel, reminiscent of the early 20th-century southern United States jazz clubs.
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Linguistic VarietyNotably, versions of "Skokiaan" have been recorded in many languages, showcasing its widespread popularity and cultural impact. Bill Haley's was in English, while Ruffins' stuck to the original African language pairing it with his jazz rendition.
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Cultural SignificanceDespite being a simple song, the success of "Skokiaan" has helped worldwide audiences familiarize with Zimbabwean music- showcasing that music can act as a powerful cultural bridge.
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LicensingInterestingly, Ruffins' rendition of ‘Skokiaan’ was used in advertisements for Southern Comfort, a popular American whiskey-flavored liqueur, further spreading its recognition.
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Continual ImpactBoth Haley and Ruffins' renditions have paved the way for numerous covers by hundreds of artists worldwide, further cementing "Skokiaan's" status as an iconic global hit and proving its continual influence in music history.
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Music VideosWhile Bill Haley did not have an official music video for his version of ‘Skokiaan’ due to it being released in the 1950s, Kermit Ruffins' version includes a creative music video, featuring the landmarks of New Orleans.
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Influence of "SkokiaanThe tune has been featured in various films and television shows, which speaks volumes about its enduring popularity and cultural influence.
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Citation
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"Skokiaan Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/492691/Kermit+Ruffins/Skokiaan>.
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