Bongo Bong

"Bongo Bong" is the first solo single by Manu Chao, from his debut album, Clandestino. It is a remake of "King of Bongo", a track from Manu Chao's previous band, Mano Negra. The title and lyrics are taken from the 1939 jazz song "King of Bongo Bong" by Black American trumpeter Roy Eldridge. It also uses the background music from Black Uhuru's song "Bull ina di Pen", from their 1984 album, Anthem. The song is part of a medley with "Je ne t'aime plus" on Clandestino. Moreover, the music has been reused for other songs, such as "Mr. Bobby", which was first released on this single before being re-recorded for Chao's second album, Próxima Estación: Esperanza, and "Homens", from the same record.

"Bongo Bong"
Single by Manu Chao
from the album Clandestino
B-side	"Je ne t'aime plus" "Mr. Bobby" "Bienvenido a Tijuana"
Released	1999
Genre	Reggae[1]
Length	2:38
Songwriter(s)	Manu Chao
Producer(s)	Manu Chao & Renaud Letang
Manu Chao singles chronology
"Bongo Bong" (1999) "Clandestino" (2000)
Music video
"Bongo Bong" on YouTube

In 2006, a cover version by Robbie Williams, combining "Bongo Bong" and "Je ne t'aime plus" in one track, appeared on his album Rudebox and was released as a single of its own in 2007. German singer Lou Bega covered the song on his 2021 album, 90s Cruiser. It has also been remixed by breakbeat artists Cut & Run, drum and bass duo Ed Solo, Deekline, the band Noisia, and German singer Max Raabe.

Chart positions

Weekly charts

Chart (1999–2000)	Peak position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[2]	4
France (SNEP)[3]	40
Germany (GfK)[4]	7
Italy (Musica e dischi)[5]	3
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)[6]	1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[7]	27
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8]	42
Poland (Music & Media)[9]	18
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10]	45
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[11]	15

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12]	38
Germany (Official German Charts)[13]	57
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[14]	97

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)[15]	Platinum	100,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[16]	Gold	30,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Track listing

1. "Bongo Bong"
2. "Je ne t'aime plus"
3. "Mr. Bobby"
4. "Bienvenido a Tijuana"