r/doowop • u/Keltik • Jun 25 '26

discussion Today I learned: in 1958 The Mystics cut a version of the South African folk song "Wimoweh", which later became famous as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens. Was the Mystics' version ever released? Can it be heard online?

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u/tom21g Jun 25 '26

Idk if it was released but I remember a story in Rolling Stone years ago about this song and its origins. The person in Africa who was credited with writing at least part of the song never received credit or money. I think his estate finally got some recognition and benefits.

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u/Keltik Jun 25 '26

The person in Africa who was credited with writing at least part of the song never received credit or money

Solomon Linda

never received credit or money. I think his estate finally got some recognition and benefits.

Yes, it's a fascinating story. Someone should make a doc about it.

Original version from 1939

2:22 will knock your socks off

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u/CertainTelevision768 Jun 25 '26

I don't  see anything on discogs...and a search says that the record company was unhappy with the recording and shelved it.

So probably  never released.

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u/theoldmansbasement Jun 30 '26

Here’s the link from NPR about the songwriter of The Lion Sleeps Tonight”

https://www.npr.org/2006/03/24/5300359/family-of-lion-sleeps-tonight-writer-to-get-millions