Search - Tokens :: The Lion Sleeps Tonight

The Tokens turn the Weaver's "Wimoweh" into a doo wop hit

Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 06/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The song, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," was based on an South African Zulu folk song "Wimoweh" made popular by the classic folk group the Weavers in the 1950s. However, the Weavers were political in the best sense of the folk tradition and fell out of favor among the common folk who thought them Communist sympathizers of varying hues along the spectrum of the color red. However younger music listeners might remember Robert John's version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," which made it to #3 on the Pop charts in 1972 and was included on the soundtrack for "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective." The group, the Tokens, was a doo wop group out of Brooklyn, who originally included Neil Sedaka when they were known as the Linc-Tones (they were students at Lincoln High School). In the early 1960s the group was reformed by Hank Medress with Phil Margo, Mitch Margo, Joe Venneri, and Jay Siegel as the Tokens. In 1962 the Tokens recorded "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," which hit #1 on the Billboard Pop charts. It was far and away the biggest hit the Tokens ever had and this CD-Single basically includes the two songs that are arguably the best of the rest of their inventory. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "La Bamba" were both off of the Token's debut album, while "You're Nothing But a Girl" was from a later 1966 release, "The Tokens Again." However, if you like doo wop, then my suggestion would be to pick up one of the three pretty solid collections of Tokens hits (e.g., "Wimoweh: The Best of the Tokens"). But if this song leads you to track down some of the recordings of the Weavers, that would be a thing of great good as well."

I am giving credit to the background soprano on Wimoweh.

Lawrance M. Bernabo | 03/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would like to give credit to the hair-raising background soprano that contributed to the success of the song (Wimoweh) The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Her name is Dolores Boswell a.k.a. Dee Tigue. She is a critically acclaimed, internationally known coloratura soprano. She is my vocal coach, piano teacher and mentor as well. She is a wonderful lady with a heart of gold, and deserves to be given credit for her awesome performance on the Wimoweh track."

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Iris E. Saied T. | Panama | 02/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Tokens did an incredible job on this one! I love the music, and the voices are awesome. 38 years later and it still is one of the best songs I've heard."