The original version of the song was written in 1953 by Frankie Adams and Lou Welsch as a country song. It had a syncopated Latino beat. The song was recorded at Cosimo Matassa's studio in New Orleans by singer Jody Levens. Huey Bourgeois was the original guitarist. The song was released as a single in 1953 by Sapphire Records. In 1996, the song was re-released on the compilation album The Best of Sapphire.
In the early 1950s, The Hawketts were a seven-piece New Orleans R&B group comprising teenage musicians. Led by Carroll Joseph, in 1953 they recruited 16-year-old Art Neville (later of the Meters and the Neville Brothers). At the time the band's style was calypso-rumba, modeled after Professor Longhair's style. The band was approached by Ken Elliot, aka Jack the Cat, to record the song. Elliot was the disc jockey of WWEZ radio station and knew the local R&B market. Elliot changed some of the original lyrics and kept the song's Latino feel. In January 1954 the song was recorded with two microphones in the studio of WWEZ radio station, with Elliot as the recording engineer and Neville on lead vocals. According to band drummer, John Boudreaux, they tried to play the song in a calypso style. The song has a distinct saxophone opening followed by a grunt by the band members. The song was released on Chess Records in 1954 and became a local hit. It has become a standard of the New Orleans Mardi Gras.
Success of the song boosted the band's popularity. Larry Williams sought them and The Hawketts toured as his backing band. The exposure also helped Neville and he released several singles as a solo artist with Specialty Records. Neville led the band in later years. The song has since been recorded by The Meters, Buckwheat Zydeco and many others. Years later, Boudreaux and Neville spoke about the pride they felt at the time in having a hit song, and the fact that the song has remained popular for so long.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Mardi Gras in New Orleans liner notes.
Ken Elliot (aka Jack the Cat) – producer, engineer
Carroll Joseph – trombone
Art Neville – vocals, piano
John Boudreaux – drums
Israel Bell – trumpet
August Fleuri – trumpet
Morris Bechamin – tenor saxophone
George Davis – alto saxophone
Alfred August – guitar
Mardi Gras Mambo
The Hawketts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down in New Orleans
Where the blues was born
It takes a cool cat to blow a horn
On LaSalle and Rampart Street
The combo's there with a mambo beat
The Mardi Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Mardi Gras mambo, ooh
Down in New Orleans
In Gert Town where the cats all meet
There's a Mardi Gras mambo with a beat
Join the Chief with the Zulu gang
And truck on down where the mambo's swing
The Mardi Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Party Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Mardi Gras mambo, ooh
Down in New Orleans
Down in New Orleans
Where the blues was born
It takes a cool cat to blow a horn
On LaSalle and Rampart Street
The combo's there with a mambo beat
The Mardi Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Party Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Party Gras mambo, ooh
Down in New Orleans
Mardi Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Party Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Mardi Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Mardi Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
The Hawketts's song "Mardi Gras Mambo" is a celebration of New Orleans and the city's famous Mardi Gras festivities. The opening lines speak to New Orleans as a city of blues and jazz, where it takes a "cool cat to blow a horn." The reference to LaSalle and Rampart Street is a nod to the city's French Quarter, where many of the music clubs and restaurants are located.
The chorus of the song urges listeners to join in the Mardi Gras party with the iconic Mambo beat. It's particularly interesting that the song refers to two different types of Mambo: the Mardi Gras Mambo and the Party Gras Mambo, which highlights the different celebrations that take place during the festival. The reference to the Zulu gang is significant as well, as the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club is a historically Black organization that has been an essential part of the city's Mardi Gras traditions since 1909.
Line by Line Meaning
Uhh
An expression of excitement or surprise
Down in New Orleans
In the city of New Orleans
Where the blues was born
Where the genre of blues music originated
It takes a cool cat to blow a horn
Playing a musical horn instrument requires skill and talent
On LaSalle and Rampart Street
Referring to specific streets in New Orleans
The combo's there with a mambo beat
A music ensemble is present, playing a type of music called mambo
The Mardi Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Referring to a specific song called Mardi Gras Mambo
Party Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Another name for Mardi Gras Mambo, emphasizing the festive nature of the holiday
Mardi Gras mambo, ooh
A joyful exclamation related to the song
In Gert Town where the cats all meet
Referring to a neighborhood in New Orleans where people gather
There's a Mardi Gras mambo with a beat
A version of the Mardi Gras Mambo song is being played with a danceable rhythm
Join the Chief with the Zulu gang
Inviting listeners to participate in the festivities with a specific group called Zulu
And truck on down where the mambo's swing
Encouraging people to move and dance to the music
Party Gras mambo, ooh
Another exclamation of excitement or enjoyment related to the song
Mardi Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Repeating the title of the song to emphasize its importance
Down in New Orleans
Returning to the setting and location of the song
Party Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Another name for the song, emphasizing the festive atmosphere
Mardi Gras mambo, mambo, mambo
Repeating the title again to keep the focus on the song
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LOU WELSCH, FRANKIE ADAMS, KEN ELLIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greig Roselli
My heart beats to the rhythm of this song (even when it ain't Mardi Gras). #mardigrasmambo #splenax
card797
This is the version I always heard on the radio when I lived in Belle Chasse from '89-'98.
Alexander Nash
This gives some nostalgia back when my family went to New Orleans for Mardi gras and my parents put on this song in the disc drive
Cameron Johnson
I love this song!
Sixth1000
playing this as i currently am in New Orleans
Grot Tchew
play it at half speed. Absolutely chilling.
Lauren Buford
I’m in New York for college right now but born and raised in Southern Louisiana listen to all the songs and thinking of all my memories
Stephen Brooks
Yes, I've just heard about Art Neville, he reached this kid back in the day in Oxfordshire England, RIP.
PantherMama
Happy Mardi Gras Everyone! Party Hearty!
Fabian Jolivet
The great JOHN BOUDREAUX on them drums