Talk:The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Splitting proposal

I propose that this article is split into Mbube (song) and The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Contrary to what these articles claims the latter is more than just an English language version of the former (and its cover "Wimoweh"). Mbube contains nothing, neither in lyrics nor in chant, that even closely resembles the English verses of The Lion Sleeps Tonight. The Tokens basically created a new song bases on Mbube. It's a sort of sampling. The reliationship between Mbube is similar to the relationships between songs like Super Freak and U Can't Touch This or Under Pressure and Ice Ice Baby. Splitting the article would allow us to cover both songs more efficiently.Tvx1 14:20, 25 November 2019 (UTC)

Strong Oppose. Did you read the article?--Oneiros (talk) 09:04, 9 June 2020 (UTC)

Oppose. If we split b/c the Tokens added English verses, we’d have to create a third page for Miriam Makeba’s version, which adds verses in Zulu. Where does it stop? The mention of rap tracks which use familiar vamps from other recordings is like comparing apples to bicycles. The complex and fascinating history of this song deserves to be treated in its entirety in a single article.   — Texas Dervish (talk) 10:24, 31 July 2020 (UTC)

It’s not only about the verses. It’s about the the entire musical compositions of the songs. They just aren’t the same songs. The Tokens merely sampled Mbube. Tvx1 21:13, 31 August 2024 (UTC)

Principal version

I think Solomon Linda's version should be listed first. Then The Tokens and co, can be added. DejiJJ (talk) 14:36, 11 February 2022 (UTC)

Linda's version is now listed ahead of the Tokens' but not in the lead, as there is no principal architect of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", at least in my view. And, yes, I know this reply is three years late and probably won't be seen... DannyRogers800 (talk) 03:34, 13 August 2025 (UTC)

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

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This review is transcluded from Talk:The Lion Sleeps Tonight/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Nominator: DannyRogers800 (talk · contribs) 03:47, 1 November 2025 (UTC)

Reviewer: Chiswick Chap (talk · contribs) 16:05, 11 November 2025 (UTC)

Hello @Chiswick Chap, I'm glad the article is to your liking. Your comments, I think, are all very valid, and I'll leave some remarks.

• Regarding Isicathamiya and a capella, the two are similar but not the same; the first is a type of the second. Coplan 2008 defines the Isicathamiya thus: "A style of indigenous Zulu a capella male choral music and step dancing influenced by Christian hymnody and tracing its roots back to the early twentieth century in Natal." (p. 440) So there is a difference, but perhaps not a significant one.
• Some musical notation would be a fine addition, but I know very little theory, so there's not much I can do here. Maybe someone else can.
• The rest of the comments should be addressed.
• I am aware of the page needed tags, and I was wondering if there are any editors/music enthusiasts who own a copy of Kent's books. I'm certain that the source is accurate (Kent lists all the songs that have appeared on the Australian music charts) but can't access it online; by the way, a physical copy can fetch some $83. If we come across an editor who can access them, then the page numbers can be added, but if not, the article may have to do away with the Australian charts information altogether.

Thanks for the review! DannyRogers800 (talk) 21:38, 11 November 2025 (UTC)

Great. Let me know when you're complete. Chiswick Chap (talk) 08:03, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

I've not managed to retrieve a copy of Kent's book, so the uncited chart information had to be removed. I've also made some small changes to the article since this review began. Overall, I'm content with the state of this article. DannyRogers800 (talk) 12:05, 19 November 2025 (UTC)

Comments

What a lovely article, informative, readable, and beautifully organised. I have very few comments and could almost just pass it now actually.

• Is Isicathamiya being equated with a capella, or is there some significant difference here that would be helpful to readers?

• It would be interesting to see the three-chord progression written out musically. Certainly not a GA requirement.

• When people are named as authorities in the text, it would be helpful to introduce them briefly, e.g. "The American journalist Sharon LaFraniere" or "The South African author Rian Malan".

• It might be nice to say something like "covered 'Mbube' as 'Wimoweh'" in the Pete Seeger image caption.

• "Also" is used quite often in the text. You could cut some of them.

• I'm not quite sure that "to incite legal conflict" is right: feels a little too active for an inanimate thing. Maybe "to attract" or "to be surrounded by", something like that.

• Hallberg 2012 "på försök" means "on trial" på engelska

• The Hounds needs a translation [Hitlist positions] (or ~ places)

Images

• The record sleeves are properly fair use.

• The other images are PD and on Commons.

• All the images are appropriate for the article and indeed make it far more comprehensible.

Sources

• The sources are beautifully organised. The mix of scholarly books, news items, media, and charts works well and suits the topic perfectly.

• [138], [153], and [158] have existing "page needed" tags.

• Spot-checks: [18], [66], [80], [144], [181].

Summary

• This will be a GA very shortly. Super work.

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Did you know nomination

The following is an archived discussion of the DYK nomination of the article below. Please do not modify this page. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as this nomination's talk page, the article's talk page or Wikipedia talk:Did you know), unless there is consensus to re-open the discussion at this page. You can locate your hook here. No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was: promoted by TarnishedPath (talk) 05:42, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

(

• Comment or view
• Article history

)

• ... that the background of the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is now regarded as an example of racial exploitation?
  • ALT1: ... that the background of one of the most commercially successful pop songs in history is now regarded as an example of racial exploitation?
  • ALT2: ... that the success of one version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was almost derailed by allegations of communism?
  • Reviewed: Template:Did you know nominations/Murad Khan Mumtaz
  • Comment: Driveby nom.

Improved to Good Article status by DannyRogers800 (talk). Number of QPQs required: 2. DYK is currently in unreviewed backlog mode and nominator has 344 past nominations.

Launchballer 07:27, 25 November 2025 (UTC).

• Dual QPQ is good. Article recently earned GA status. Hooks are interesting and sourced. Earwig raises some flags but looks to be from direct quotes. Nihil obstat. ~Darth Stabro^{Talk • Contribs} 17:08, 27 November 2025 (UTC)
  • @Launchballer and Darth Stabro: couple nitpicks here; first, I'm not sure I'd equate [t]he song's association with long-running racial ... exploitation has been discussed in several articles and papers with is now regarded as an example of racial exploitation. Second, Malan also discusses a case against the idea that Solomon Linda was cheated, which maybe doesn't directly contradict the exploitation argument but perhaps should be mentioned in the article all the same for NPOV reasons. theleekycauldron (talk • she/her) 09:06, 26 December 2025 (UTC)

    I added a sentence to the article and reworded the lead. ALT0a: ... that one of the most commercially successful pop songs in history is now associated with long-running racial exploitation?--Launchballer 12:39, 26 December 2025 (UTC)

    • works for me! struck ALTs 0 and 1. theleekycauldron (talk • she/her) 19:24, 26 December 2025 (UTC)