"Jin-go-lo-ba" (or "Jingo") is a song by Nigerian percussionist Babatunde Olatunji, featured on his first album Drums of Passion (1959). In Yoruba (Olatunji's native language) it means, "Do not worry."
The song featured "African-derived rhythms and chants" along with "swooping orchestration".[1] In his autobiography, Olatunji said that this was the only song on his first album that he claimed formal ownership of, meaning that it was the only song he received royalties for.[2] American disc jockey Francis Grasso described the song as "rhythmically sensual".[3]
Usage in media
The Fatboy Slim version is featured on Just Dance (2009)[4] and Just Dance: Greatest Hits (2012). It was also featured on Just Dance 3 (2011) as a downloadable track for the Xbox 360 but became unavailable for purchase following the removal of most DLCs from the Xbox 360 Marketplace on August 20, 2023.
Cover versions
It has been covered by Serge Gainsbourg, under the title "Marabout" and with no credit given to Olatunji, on his Gainsbourg Percussions LP (1964).
The song was also covered by James Last on his album Voodoo-Party (1971), by Pierre Moerlen's Gong on their Downwind album (1979), Candido Camero (aka Candido) on his Dancin' & Prancin' album (1979), by Steve Lee on his album FKW – Jingo (1994) and by Fatboy Slim on his album Palookaville (2004). A cover version was also released by independent dance act the Ravish Brothers (featuring a Hot Funky Daddy Groove) in 1988, in Lightwater, Surrey. The song was also featured in the Hindi serial "Chandrakanta" that aired on DD.
The song was also covered by Santana, on their first album (1969), though Grasso noted this version was not as popular as the original on the dance floor.[3] Spanish journalist Jose Miguel López stated that when Santana released "Jingo" as a single, it was first credited to Carlos Santana. Only years later the credits were corrected.[5] Other multiple editions of Santana's "Jingo" single list the composer as A. Copland, evidently confusing this song with Part V. of composer Aaron Copland's "Statements for Orchestra", which is unrelated.[original research?]
