Civilization (1947 song)

"Civilization" is an American pop song. It was written by Bob Hilliard and Carl Sigman, published in 1947 and introduced in the 1947 Broadway musical Angel in the Wings, sung by Elaine Stritch. The song is sometimes also known as "Bongo, Bongo, Bongo (I Don't Want to Leave the Congo)" from its first line of the chorus.

Concept

The song is considered satire and is sung from the perspective of a native "savage", whose village has recently been settled by a missionary and other "civilized" people who have been trying to make the tribe into a civilized place. However, the savage thinks differently and sings about the major flaws in civilized society, ultimately deciding that he will stay where he lives (presumably the Congo, as it is referenced in the song lyrics).

Recordings

Many recorded versions made the Billboard charts: by The Andrews Sisters and Danny Kaye, by Louis Prima, by "Smilin'" Jack Smith, by Ray McKinley, and by Woody Herman.

The Andrews Sisters and Danny Kaye recording was recorded September 27, 1947 and released by Decca Records as catalog number 24462. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 14, 1947 and lasted 10 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 3.^[1] The Louis Prima recording was recorded July 24, 1947 and released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-2400. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 7, 1947 and lasted eight weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 8.^[1] The Jack Smith recording was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 465. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on December 26, 1947 and lasted two weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 14.^[1] The Ray McKinley recording was released by Majestic Records as catalog number 7274. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on December 26, 1947 and lasted one week on the chart, at No. 14.^[1] The Woody Herman recording was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 37885. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on December 26, 1947 and lasted one week on the chart, at No. 15.^[1]

A recording by Joe Loss and his Orchestra with vocal by Elizabeth Batey was made in London on March 11, 1948. It was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label BD 6007. Dyan Cannon performed the song on The Muppet Show along with several Muppet jungle animals.

Other appearances

• "Civilization", performed by Danny Kaye and the Andrews Sisters, is featured on the in-game Galaxy News Radio in the 2008 game Fallout 3, which takes place in a post-apocalyptic, retro-futurist United States in the year 2277 in the ruins of Washington D.C..^[2]

• Louis Prima's recording of "Civilization" is heard playing on the radio in Adrian Lyne's 1997 film Lolita.

References