About the song
Step back to 1947 and get ready for a side-splitting commentary on modern life with “Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo)” by the iconic Andrews Sisters and the ever-energetic Danny Kaye. This novelty song, while lighthearted and catchy, offers a surprisingly sharp critique of society through the eyes of an African tribesman.
Imagine a world where the “conveniences” of civilization – cramped city living, noisy traffic, and the ever-present threat of eviction notices – hold no appeal. That’s the perspective of our narrator, who contrasts his idyllic life in the jungles of the Congo with the perceived drawbacks of the “civilized” world.
Sung with playful enthusiasm by the Andrews Sisters and Kaye’s signature manic energy, the song highlights the absurdity of some modern experiences. Traffic jams, crowded subways, and the constant hustle and bustle become laughable compared to the freedom of swimming and fishing all year round in a tropical paradise.
The song’s catchy chorus, with its repetitive “Bongo, Bongo, Bongo” refrain, is sure to get stuck in your head. But beneath the surface lies a clever social commentary. Is the “civilized” world truly civilized, or is it filled with unnecessary complexities that detract from a simpler, more natural way of life?
This satirical gem wasn’t just a hit in 1947. “Civilization” has transcended generations, finding new life in video games like Fallout 3 and Fallout 4, where its ironic message resonates in a post-apocalyptic setting. Whether you take it as a lighthearted sing-along or a witty social commentary, “Civilization” remains a delightful reminder that sometimes, the grass truly isn’t greener on the other side.
Video
Lyrics
Each morning, a missionary advertises neon sign
He tells the native population that civilization is fine
And three educated savages holler from a bamboo tree
That civilization is a thing for me to see
So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don’t wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I’m so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
Don’t want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells, landlords, I make it clear
That no matter how they coax him, I’ll stay right here
I looked through a magazine the missionary’s wife concealed (Magazine? What happens?)
I see how people who are civilized bung you with automobile (You know you can get hurt that
way Daniel?)
At the movies they have got to pay many coconuts to see (What do they see, Darling?)
Uncivilized pictures that the newsreel takes of me
So bongo, bongo, bongo, he don’t wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, he’s so happy in the jungle, he refuse to go
Don’t want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis, noise in my ear
So, no matter how they coax him, I’ll stay right here
They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
And though it’s smokey and it’s crowded, they’re too civilized to complain
When they’ve got two weeks vacation, they hurry to vacation ground (What do they do, Darling?)
They swim and they fish, but that’s what I do all year round
So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don’t wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I’m so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
Don’t want no jailhouse, shotgun, fish-hooks, golf clubs, I got my spears
So, no matter how they coax him, I’ll stay right here
They have things like the atom bomb, so I think I’ll stay where I “ahm”
Civilization, I’ll stay right here!