THIS is one of THE MOST recognisable melodies OF ALL TIME!

[@kathleenharsha6504]

When I was in 8th grade The Tokens were rehearsing in the Rec center next door and we were invited to watch them rehearse. That rehearsal included the first public performance of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". It was awesome.!

[@ac1646]

Wow. I love it when a personal story comes our way on the huge internet.🫶😁😁xx

[@PreciousFifi]

Wow, how cool is that! 😃 (I am not being sarcastic. I really think it is neat.)

[@Ishbilli]

❤Love this, so cool!!😊

[@gretabrunswick5566]

You were in the right place at the right time!

[@donnatregaro7375]

Great story. Thanks for sharing that one. 😊

[@kifwoo1]

It's such a memorable melody that the urge to sing the song is always just a whim away. A whim away, a whim away, a whim away ...

[@Marhea74]

"wimoweh wimoweh wimoweh" which evolved from "uyimbube" which means "lion" in Zulu. Pretty cool stuff.

[@gr500music6]

The soprano was indeed Anita Eskandarian. She was my mom's roommate at the Curtis Institute in Philly.

[@gr500music6]

Apologies for spelling Anita's name the way I heard it pronounced in the house. It was apparently spelled "Esgandarian" with a "g" not a "k." She went by the shortened professional name Anita Darian.

[@pamgeddes5346]

I have always loved this soprano part!

[@glamgal7106]

Someone actually told me that it was a MAN singing the soprano voice. I’m glad that was clarified.

[@paulquirk3783]

@@pamgeddes5346Me too

[@timduch1]

awesome - I was blessed to sing in a choir with the various sections led by Curtis students - such talent!

[@garydiamondguitarist]

I mean, as impressive as the lead vocal is, and it's gorgeous and so well pitched, it's the crazy high female vocals (I think) that sound like a theramin that really impress. ❤

[@RoanOC]

Yes, until watching this video, I actually did think it was a theramin!

[@owensclock]

I hosted a morning radio show in the New York area and had. at different times, three of the people involved in the history of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight on my show." Pete Seeger said it was he who "'brought the song over from Africa" and suggested that the Weavers do it. I also spoke to Hugo Peretti who, along with George David Weiss Luigi, Creatore and Albert Stanton was listed as composer of the song. on the original 1961 Tokens' album release. Seeger was not happy about the new version and called George David Weiss a "song re-writer." Finally I asked Jay Seigal to weigh in. For his part Seigal said he loved the Weavers growing up and got "The Lion" in its early form from one of their albums and suggested the Tokens do it. Jay was sad to hear that Pete Seeger didn't think much of their recording of "The Lion.". Jay still sings it in the same key as the record.. Great analysis video Fil!

[@hectorsmommy1717]

And through all of that the actual songwriter, Solomon Linda, gets no credit and few if any royalties.

[@mssmssmssmss]

I met Jay some years ago. He sang a bit of the song for us like an ID card. He still had it, and I suspect he still does.

[@TorToroPorco]

It’s interesting to compare this to the original version of this song from 1939 which was written in Zulu.

[@jimgore1278]

Agreed. I'm Canadian and I found out about it being African and heard the original recording on a CBC radio program about world music many years ago.

[@darlenemielke6529]

I always love seeing you crack a wide grin when something has connected with you; a sure sign you'll dive into the details of it.

[@bbbart77]

I was born in 1948 so this is part of the jukebox of my life. Great song.

[@mjnc3672]

When I was in high school in 1969, our football team's biggest rival team name was the lions. So, on the days leading up to a big game, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" would be played on the school announcements in the mornings. A fond memory.

[@lindapendleton9176]

The tokens changed the words from the original penned by Solomon Linda. Thanks for pointing this out and doing the research. Should have known you would do this justice.

[@chthoniapodcast]

Those are some crazy high vocals for sure! Makes me realise there was a time that I was trained to sing as high as Anita, I couldn't even approach it now.

[@lealinds9496]

Impressive nonetheless!

[@jesselepooh]

In the early sixty's we had a decca record player put on a ironing board on the bedroom landing where there were three bedrooms and another two in the top floor housing 11 children plus ma and pa, my mother would play this record on repeat at full blast until every one of us were out of bed, monday till friday, amazing alarm call, thanks for the memories,

[@debbier938]

Hi Fil, A Fabulous Fun Friday song for sure. The history behind this is fascinating. And sounds like it went through a copyright nightmare for a bit there. Glad that all worked out in the end! The vocals are just so good! Love the harmonies and different lead lines. An instantly recognizable song and your beautiful smile says just how good it is! Great job on this awesome analysis! Debbie☮️

[@laurajarrell6187]

In the 90s I'd sing this to my horse as we were riding home alone, lol. It went perfectly with the walking, clip clopping!!👍💙💙💙🥰✌

[@ryanmcdonald2027]

hey guys ! i am a male musician and i love singing this song with my high falsetto voice ! :) lol i sing this to my seal point siamese cat "Mr Snoop" :) i am a kiwi born and living in new zealand

[@kathleenshaw932]

One of my favorites. Thank you so much for all the backstory.

[@LeoLion-i3p]

Thank you, Fil. You are a gem. I was smiling along with you throughout the session. This brought back many memories for my 80-year-old ears. FYI, Anita Darian performed roles with the New York City Opera and was a featured soloist with the New York Philharmonic. She studied opera at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the Juilliard School in New York. Neil Sedaka was an early member of the group.

[@brendah.6366]

Fil, it amazes me that 60 years later Jay still hits the high notes so well!!!❤❤❤

[@jrdlabs]

Fil, you should know that Jay Siegel's Tokens are still singing this song in the same key over 60 years later!

[@mssmssmssmss]

I should check their schedule!

[@dagmar.6954]

Love the old doo-wop groups! The Tokens are best known for their 1961 hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" but they also had some other songs such as "Tonight I Fell In Love", "I Hear Trumpets Blow", "Portrait Of My Love" etc. Beginning in 1963, The Tokens also began serving as record producers for other artists, such as the Chiffons, Randy & the Rainbows & the Happenings.

[@53lyric1]

"Portrait of My Love" is an all time favorite of mine and so is "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". The Tokens are / were among my favorites too.

[@moonpearl4736]

Who need pitch monitoring software when Fil is smiling so much?

[@user-mirn0858]

Thank you so much for this Fil!

[@sdzielinski]

I recall when The Lion Sleeps Tonight first hit the radio. It certainly has stood the test of time -- rightly, so.

[@Elaine_Parhamovich]

Who else is seeing "Marcel" and Ross right now? 😆 Loved this one, Fil!

[@58frascatti]

This version by the Tokens never ceases to thrill me. I was 16 when I first heard it, and recognized it as a version of the Weaver’s rendition. TV then was relatively new to us in rural Canada, but radio was our lifeline to commercial music. Our family sang constantly, playing lots of instruments and we were harmony addicts. I’m still trolling the internet finding great songs from the 40s, 50s, and 60s that were too early for storage on tape. I do appreciate your channel so much.

[@coldlakealta4043]

I listened to it on radio station CHUM 1050, Toronto. It was one pop song that didn't reduce my father to a foaming mess 😄

[@58frascatti]

@@coldlakealta4043 😂😂👍

[@pamgeddes5346]

Halifax, NS, any Canadians watching? Of course! We love your videos Fil! This one is a gem!

[@veramilton833]

Fil, what a blast from the past. It's a very enjoyable and fun song with incredible harmonies! Excellent history lesson from you also. Wonderful video once again. I loved this one. 💜

[@joeflip2993]

Nothing better then the Fil smile

[@karinkrenn]

What a blast to the past 😂 - even if in my case I don't mean the sixties but my first dancing lessons in the 80ies/90ies 😆. Nice how this song makes you smile. Btw. I wasn't aware that its an african traditional - always learning something new with you - not to mention your analyzes. 🎶

[@TangoEliott]

I was a little kid when this song came out and I loved it. I still do.

[@johnkelly748]

Regarding Scarborough Fair, Paul Simon did add a counter melody with lyrics which he sang over Art Garfunkel singing the original ballad.

[@dianarockwell6256]

My favorite version of Scarborough fair is on the Andy Williams show with Simon and Garfunkel. They made it three part harmony and sang in the round and it was absolutely phenomenal. It is on KZbin if you want to look it up. Something transcendent of time.

[@twncintiohio]

This was a huge number 1 hit in the U. S.

[@elisabethaxelsson4736]

In Sweden we had a group called The Hounds they did a very good version of this song , love his song

[@MichelleSanGiorgio]

So many people have covered this, the original is still sung in Mpmulunga. There it is 😊

[@jamielennox4847]

I just took my friend from South Africa with me to a concert last year called Bowzer's Holiday Party hosted by Bowzer (aka John Bauman) from Sha Na Na. He has the Tokens as part of the guests, and the lead singe, Jay Segal,r still sings this song in the same key perfectly all these years later. My friend from South Africa was brit to tears because this is actually a lullaby from her home country.

[@CraigFox-lt6lt]

Tongue rollllll. Great choice Fil!

[@RGF19651]

Yeah; loved that tongue roll

[@Spacebeagle]

After sixty years to be remembered is quite an accomplishment. And hats off to Soloman Linda🦁

[@zenawarrior7442]

Love this song. So fun, melodic. Nothing beats great group harmony. Thanks Fil, always nice to see you enjoying these 🤟😊🦁🌏🌜🎼

[@pamegan8735]

This was one of my favorite songs in high school 1970's . This song was part of our Pep Rally when we played a Rival game.The other football team were the Lions .Great Memories ❤️❤️❤️

[@carolinasbeauty]

I'm late...again. But, I had to comment. This is such an enjoyable song. I didn't know any of the details you went into about how it came to be recorded by the Tokens and when/where it came from. Thank you for all you do - and I love to see that smile! I know we're in for a good one when that smile beams - even if I don't know the song. I don't know what/how you do it, but when you run the songs through the pitch monitor, it always sounds better. How can that be? It doesn't matter, I just wanted you to know that everything you do makes an impact on me and that's saying a lot for a lady who's been listening to music for almost 7 decades! Thanks again, Fil.

[@pammickle3935]

I love how this song makes you smile!

[@charleswood2182]

The soprano makes the song. I can't find the documentary I saw. I think you said it was the D4 she hit, and it's effortless. Amazing. As I recall, she was more than a pop vocalist, few of those could hit that note, as I understand it. So was the soprano an opera singer? I don't recall, but it is a wonderful story of them having to find a soprano like her and pretty quick for the recording. Most just couldn't do that it is is amazing to see that story confirmed by your graphics. Thanks so much for the pleasure.

[@pamspurgers3578]

DARN, another earworm attack. I love this song.

[@michael0.770]

Hi Fil-There is a later version on you tube with Jay Siegel doing great lead vocals-it was on PBS in America around, maybe 200. and they had another great female vocalist to do the high parts!

[@lindamatyas5526]

Thank you for all of your hard work and your thoughtful, insightful, and respectful analyses. Such a pleasure to watch and learn.

[@maryannswanson3832]

Omg I am shocked! I'm 73 and still have my stacks of 45 records from my teenage years, lion sleeps tonight included. I love to siing and sang along, plus I was in the glee club in school and sang in a chorale group. I NEVER KNEW THAT HIGH SOPRANO WAS A VOICE! Ha I have always thought it was an organ! 😮😊

[@jenr9483]

Whenever this came on the radio in the early 60s (our town had only one station!), I think everyone in the city was trying to sing along. I'm sure the Tokens are the reason that I could jump right in to Ladyship Black Mambazo's work as a familiar, wonderful sound.

[@joyeriojas1502]

I learned songs like this in the GIRL SCOUTS.Girl guides they are called in AFRICA,sang these.THANKS FIL HENLEY

[@MichelleSanGiorgio]

All the way from Africa 🌍 😊

[@mikeorick6898]

I remember listening to this on the radio when it was "new". Still makes me smile and brings back tears of joy with the memories. Nice seeing you smile to it too.

[@DS40764]

Wonderfully fun song. I remember that song. What a spirit lifter; like a safe energy drink! Thanks for sharing,as well as the history about the origins of songs/melodies! Also nice to see, your joyful expressions to it. And isn't it funny that some well known songs/some overplayed, people don't know who performed it and when.

[@libbydenorchia3154]

I always turn up the volume when this song comes on the radio. And who can resist singing along even if we sound terrible. Thanks for the history lesson about the song and copyright issues. I didn't know any of that. And to me, Anita's vocals are the "icing on the cake".

[@stuckinthe60s69]

Thanks, Fil. I was one of the ones bugging you to do this song. Thanks for the detailed history. To me, without Anita's voice, this song would have lost the "glue" that holds it together. I've seen videos of live performances without the soprano part and while still enjoyable, it's just not the same. It was interesting seeing this song run through your pitch monitoring software. It really shows the difference between perfect pitch and pitch perfect. Also, it shows that with talent, today's pitch correction is unnecessary. I guess that I’ll always be a fan of music from the days of “what you see/hear is what you get”.

[@davidpeterson144]

Fill i read some where that one of the Founding members of Blackfoot started out with the tokens

[@Terri_MacKay]

I read about the history of this song years ago and found it fascinating, so I'm glad that you included that, in some detail, in the video.

[@lori282smith2]

What a delightful way to get an education in music!!❤

[@sar8349]

The theory of how this all works is fascinating. You are so knowledgeable and I really enjoy your comments. Also, greatest smile ever!

[@RosaKay55]

Thanks for your analysis of this fun song! This was popular when I was a kid. Also appreciated the backstory as well.

[@gailseatonhumbert]

That definitely takes me back to childhood and my mother having the radio on

[@Marhea74]

Thank you for the historical background, Fil! Who would have guessed that The Tokens' doo wop version stemmed from an original mbube South African one and then to folk with Pete Seeger!? I love how music can evolve, and am glad an agreement was reached regarding royalties for Solomon Linda. Thanks again for this analysis and history! This is the stuff I love - the interesting backgrounds on songs.

[@derekboardman9995]

I love how in-depth your videos are. There are way too many reaction videos that are just stupid: "watch this vocal coach listen to Led Zeppelin for the first time." You always go the extra mile giving us backgound and nuance, and showing us you really care about the subject. You're awesome. You should have a bigger following simply for the fact that that's not what you're about!

[@deborahdoesscrap]

I have said this a million times, or it seems like it anyway but I get such a kick out of watching your reactions. I am the least knowledgeable person when it comes to music that you would ever see on your channel but I have learned so much from watching you. Your reactions are so honest and heart felt. You truly love music. Thank you so much, Fil.

[@bernardenejones8620]

One of my brothers won an album by the Tokens at the fair in Beaumont, Texas and gave it to me .. I thought it was pretty cool.

[@patriciasnyder6915]

An absolute classic!!!! Thank you!

[@LindaSmall-vb9ls]

I still love this song. A great gift.

[@FFVison]

Also kind of reminds me of the lawsuit against the band Men At Work for their song Down Under. They were sued by the copyright holder of the song Kookaburra Sits In The Old Gum Tree.

[@BarbaraPryor-Smith]

And the awesome thing is, they've been performing in recent years sounding just as wonderful! 😊💜

[@paulmackenzie1850]

Thoroughly enjoyable, brought back happy memories of my youth. I was 11 years old when this came out. Well done Fil...

[@seajaytea9340]

This song makes me smile every time I hear it!

[@phantomcollector1976]

ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME

[@tnmoppylaura5476]

Thanks for reminding me how much I love this song.

[@venderstrat]

I taught this to all my students when I was a primary school teacher. There's nothing like 28 ten year olds singing this great song.

[@NanaWilson-px9ij]

I would love to see that!

[@Carm2]

I’ll bet your students loved singing this song

[@paulawolff3456]

So simple but always has been and always will be one of my very favorites. Wish I had that soprano voice. Oh my.

[@LOL-Can]

Another oldie goldie. I remember it well. Thank you for the copyright history on this . What a struggle . Great analysis. I always found this a busy song with the vocals. Thank you again .

[@JRPLawyeress1]

I was three and a half years old when this song came out. Whenever it came on the car radio, I was sitting in between my two older brothers and sang this song as loud as I could. I thought the lyrics were, “A wingo whack, a wingo whack.” And that’s what I sang.

[@paulquirk3783]

Fil says the song is all about melody. I think that's a fraction of it. I'd listen to it just for the percussion. Then, multiple layered vocal parts. So much going on, yet everything has it space and you can hear everything.

[@jbarson6671]

There are a number of videos online of Dr. Jay Siegel repeating his performance. The man's voice was in amazing shape right into his mid 70s. He's a very funny man also. Great to watch.

[@kristinmoore1151]

Oh Fil, oh Fil.... you have brightened my day with this analysis. Thank you for bringing up the concept of the intervals and relative pitch. My high school choir director taught us to "read music" vocally nearly exclusively by pitch intervals, and with very little emphasis on the names of notes. It would be nice if you could, in the future, share even more on that topic. Love your work. Thanks for being such a great educator.

[@natewebb8106]

2:35 that high pitched voice is almost theremin like. Crazy

[@aussiebloke609]

Fil, another thing that can happen with traditional or old songs that cannot be copyrighted...is when the performance itself is copyrighted. This is really common with classical music, where anyone can play or sing it, but a recording of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra playing Beethoven's 5th Symphony...that _recording_ of their rendition is still copyrightable. In this case, Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds can copyright _the recording of their version_ of the song...but can't stop you from recording your own version of same.

[@lindadescafano3749]

Great song and analysis. I remember this being played on one of the AM radio stations back in the day. 😊🎸🎵

[@Angelicus-p5p]

We sang this late in the evening at my cousins wedding, was so much fun!

[@patmccoy8758]

This song takes me back to my childhood!

[@Lilah1754]

Fun song from “back in the day”! Thanks for the history and analysis Fil. Great memories from my youth.

[@michaeliacangelo5646]

I must say aside from your extensive knowledge about the instruments and music in general. The love and respect you have for these artists is clear. Your smile when listening is so telling and authentic. You truly are a great reactor but your appreciation for true talent is written all over your face. You Are the best at what you do. Truly

[@channelzero2252]

That was hilarious, watching the software skirt all over the place trying to keep up with all those notes in the melody. This is, of course, a great song. But you must be careful because the urger to sing this song is only ever a whim away, a whim away, a whim away......

[@dcazador7401]

I just found a video of him singing this live less than 2 years ago! Slightly less power in the voice but he did a great job. Amazing!

[@PreciousFifi]

I love this video and found it especially interesting. Back in the mid '80s, we had a guy marry in to our family and he claimed he wrote this song. LOL He used to sing it quite frequently at local clubs. I learned the song was originally written in South Africa. But I did not know any other details about the song's history. So thank you for this. I still have a 45 of this, packed away in my closet...

[@a.duncan6791]

The Mint Juleps and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, recorded an excellent blend of the original and the Tokens' version. But, from the time I first heard the song, it's always been Anita's voice who brought everything together. Thanks Fil, good cover...

[@icywindow458]

Thanks for a great analysis! We, the wife and I enjoyed your take on a favorite song.

[@angelaboncore3132]

Oh I so clearly remember when I was in elementary school, this song came out and I would always try and sing Anita's notes. LOL, I actually did for a few years and then, poof, it was all gone.... Love this song - Thank you Fil for another wonderful video.

[@aservantofjesus7648]

I grew up with this song, one of the great vocal arrangements and performances, especially since there is minimal instrumental accompaniment. So glad its use in "The Lion King" introduced it to a new generation. Great songs live on. Thanks, Fil, for your insightful and passionate analysis. Rock!

[@judyc]

Really interesting history and analysis. Thanks, Fil.

[@andreanewell639]

Jay Siegal still performs under the "Tokens".....he is Amazing !

[@mikeskinner45]

The band I was a part of in the mid 70s did "Lion". At the time, I had the C6 and did Anita's part. I'm still part of a local band(bassist/singer), but now-at 78 y/o-I can only get up to the A.😁

[@EdConnelly8247]

Thank you Fil. I loved this song as a kid and thought that was a guy singing the high part. Love Fil's research.

[@whogoes]

Great analysis video, Fil. I'm always learning things.

[@Andyvan92110]

FYI: Yma Sumac did a version of this in 1952. She had an amazing vocal range.

[@vernhoke7730]

I just saw a live performance of this that was posted 5 years ago. Didn't see a date in the description but it was well after 1961.

[@wendyhardin5259]

Just watched a video of The Tokens from 2013 doing The Lion Sleeps Tonite, and the lead singer sounds exactly the same! Amazing!!

[@marksteinsberger8457]

I love this song ,,

[@ladylouise1969]

Wow!! I didn't realize that song came out in 1961!! I thought perhaps-1966-because I love this song, and of course enjoy singing along!! I was 9 when this version came out!! Thank you for a great history lesson and analysis once again, Fil!! It seems familiar to me about Solomon-I just had totally forgotten! Very interesting, and so glad his estate is receiving what he should have been, years ago!!

[@judyc]

Written in 1939, though, which I didn’t know.