Skokiaan
Universally known as the King of the Mambo, Pérez Prado was the single most… Read Full Bio ↴Universally known as the King of the Mambo, Pérez Prado was the single most important musician involved in the hugely popular Latin dance craze. Whether he actually created the rhythm is somewhat disputed, but it's abundantly clear that Prado developed it into a bright, swinging style with massive appeal for dancers of all backgrounds and classes. Prado's mambo was filled with piercing high-register trumpets, undulating saxophone counterpoint, atmospheric organ (later on), and harmonic ideas borrowed from jazz. While his tight percussion arrangements allowed for little improvisation, they were dense and sharply focused, keeping the underlying syncopations easy for dancers to follow. Prado played the piano, but was often more in his element as the focal point of the audience's excitement; he leaped, kicked, danced, shouted, grunted, and exhorted his musicians with a dynamic stage presence that put many more sedate conductors and bandleaders to shame. With this blueprint, Prado brought mambo all the way into the pop mainstream, inspiring countless imitators and scoring two number one singles on the pop charts (albeit in a smoother vein than the fare that first made his name) as the fad snowballed. He was a star throughout most of the Western Hemisphere during the '50s, and even after his popularity waned in the United States, he remained a widely respected figure in many Latin countries, especially his adopted home of Mexico. Prado is often best remembered for his softer, more commercial work, which has an undeniable kitschiness that plays well with modern-day lounge-revival hipsters. Unfortunately, that has served to obscure his very real credentials in the realm of authentic, unadulterated Latin dance music, and to this day he remains somewhat underappreciated.

Skokiaan
Perez Prado and His Orchestra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Skokiaan,
Oh- far away in Africa
Happy happy Africa
They singa bingo bango bingo
They have a ball and really go
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan

Oh- take a trip to Africa
Any ship to Africa
Come on along and learn the lingo
Beside a jungle bungalow
Skokiaan
Skokiaan
Skokiaan

Hot drums are drumming
Hot strings are strumming, and warm lips are blissful
They're kissful of Skokiaan
Oh- when you go to Africa
Happy happy Africa
You linga longa like a King-o
Right in a jungle bungalow

Skoki skoki skoki skokiaan
Okee dokee anybody can
Skoki skoki man oh man oh man
You sing a bingo bango bingo
In hokey pokey skokiaan
Skokiaan

Oh- ho-far away in Africa
Happy happy Africa
They singa bingo bango bingo
They have a ball and really go

Oh- ho-take a trip to Africa, any ship to Africa
Come on along and learn the lingo,beside a jungle bungalow
Hot drums are drumming,or hot strings are strumming
And warm lips are blissful,they're kissful- of skokiaan
Oh-if you go to Africa,happy happy Africa
You linga longa like a king-o
Right in a jungle bungalow
Sko-kiaan, sko-kiaan, sko-kiaan, sko-kiaan,




Oh-right in a jungle bungalow
Oh-skokiaan!!

Overall Meaning

The song "Skokiaan" by Perez Prado and His Orchestra is a lively tribute to Africa, with a catchy and upbeat melody. The lyrics describe the joy and excitement of the African people as they sing, dance, and celebrate to the sound of the drums and strings. The chorus repeats the word "Skokiaan" several times, creating a sense of energy and rhythm that echoes the music itself.


The song invites listeners to imagine themselves in Africa, experiencing the sights and sounds of the jungle and the local culture. The lingo of the region is colorful and playful, with words like "bingo bango" and "hokey pokey" adding to the lively atmosphere. The song emphasizes the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community, with lines like "they have a ball and really go" underscoring the idea that music is for everyone.


Line by Line Meaning

Skokiaan
The name of the song


Oh- far away in Africa
Africa is a distant place


Happy happy Africa
Africa is a joyful place


They singa bingo bango bingo
African people sing and have fun


They have a ball and really go
African people dance and enjoy themselves


Oh- take a trip to Africa
Invitation to visit Africa


Any ship to Africa
Any means of transportation to Africa


Come on along and learn the lingo
Encouragement to learn the language


Beside a jungle bungalow
Suggesting a place to stay in Africa


Hot drums are drumming
Drums are being played energetically


Hot strings are strumming, and warm lips are blissful
Musical instruments are being played passionately and people are enjoying themselves


They're kissful of Skokiaan
People are affectionately enamored with the song


You linga longa like a King-o
Move like a king in Africa


Right in a jungle bungalow
In a cozy place surrounded by nature


Sko-kiaan, sko-kiaan, sko-kiaan, sko-kiaan
Repeating the title of the song


Okee dokee anybody can
It's easy for anyone to sing along


Skoki skoki man oh man oh man
Expressing enthusiasm for the song


In hokey pokey skokiaan
Suggesting a fun dance move associated with the song


Oh-right in a jungle bungalow
Repeating the idea of staying in a cozy place surrounded by nature


Oh-skokiaan!!
An emphatic expression of enjoyment for the song




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: August Msururgwa, Tom Glazer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@danielalejandrosifuentesfl6914

Padre como te extraño cuando oíamos juntos estas bellas melodías hombre fuerte de valor y gran fuerza y enorme corazón te extraño mucho gran hombre sabio

@DeoCPer

I love that kind of music. Lively..I feel like Dancing.

@JoseMartinez-ub8wm

Música bella, muy propia de Dámaso Pérez Prado. Legado para los amantes de música del Caribe.
Saludos desde Colombia

@renetorrez466

Pérez Prado, fue uno de los mejores, siempre lo será hoy y mañana, nunca habrá como Pérez Prado.

@darrellborland119

I get a kick out of closely watching "Gaglione" video 1958...all those folks have passed, but their performance stands the test of time, IMHO. Thanks.

@1computernew

This takes me back to my childhood days. Thanks, Aunt Liz for introducing me to this music.

@maria.isabelmedinamurillo1212

Excelente joya musical!!!!!!

@francescoferrara6250

Che grande /!! È stata la mia passione nei primi anni '50 quando la RAI la usava come sigla degli stacchi musicali della Domenica Sportiva , la domenica sera.

@SuperMistico10

Simplemente maravilloso. Grande Perez Prado.

@ricardoluisbentinlopez4756

Ricatdo bentin López incomparables las melodías de antaño

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