This song originated in South Africa in 1938 with the Zulu language title of "Mbube" - it was Pete Seeger and The Weavers who recorded it as "Wimoweh" that brought it to American attention in 1950/51. After other recordings of it were made, in 1961 it was re-written/arranged to it's most popular and well-known form as the doo-wop/R&B hit, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" as recorded by the Tokens. There was a big lawsuit from the original composer's family when Disney used it in The Lion King without paying any song royalties. Such a history!! This was shot in the mall in which PattyCake Productions have their studio. Most of their minis are shot there using an iPhone, while the main videos are shot with a stedicam. However, it's been nearly impossible to get a camera operator lately, so they shot this on a phone.
My favourite by them! I had to watch it twice - the first time I got so fascinated by the animals that I had to see it again to watch VoicePlay. Kudos to whomsoever edited this. I've always loved the Tokens version and that of Tim Foust's side project "Alley Cats" (they're terrific BTW). Between all the critters in this & VoicePlay dancing & just generally weirding off this video was great singing & great fun.
He is in the naval choir. I still think of him as part of the group. I'm really hoping he'll come back full time one day. This one just made me happy! ❤
J has been promoted to being a member of the Sea Chanters - the premier singing group in the US Navy - where he sings bass. He also just released a song of his own on his RU-vid channel today.
Yes. J None is the one in the Navy. He's here often enough that it seems he's still part of VoicePlay. By the way, the Navy has moved him from baritone to bass. I wonder if they will notice he does tenor as well! The mall is where Pattycake Productions is located (an old Hallmark store in the mall). A lot of VoicePlay's minis are done in the open area of the mall. Peaches (Super Mario Brothers) was done directly in front of the Game Stop. Geoff hit a Bb5 in Peaches.
I laughed all the way through this at least 20 times before I started concentrating on the vocals and detailed shenanigans! They are absolute genius at everything they do!! J None is singing with the Navy, he was promoted last year, transferred to DC and is now singin bass. Considering the vocal gymnastics he was doing in his upper register.... amazing
Yes J left the group in 2021 to sing with the navy music section. He comes back when he's on leave from his duties to take part again. They film many of their short or mini videos in this mall, It's where Layne (and Tony Wakim, ex member) have their Pattycake Productions studio. It was an idea setting for this so that they could add the cgi with distance. Such an incredible video, you have to wonder how Layne keeps coming up with these ideas.
that was utter chaos but such fun and yes that’s the mall where Pattycake owned by Layne and former band member Tony is located. VP use that studio a lot and the mall features in many of their shorts ❤
About J None... Yes, he sings with the Navy, and he sings BASS there. Does he have a RANGE or what? 😅 It's a super funny video, I just loved it. And there are so many little things to notice in the background AND in the vocals. 🙂 Thank you for this reaction and see you next time!
Yes J None is a sailor who sings while in the navy. Originally written in 1939 by Soloman Linda in the zulu language. Later English lyrics written by George Weiss and made popular by The Tokens in Nov 1961.
Wow, this was one of the most animated reactions I've seen from you, so awesome! I love this video, as you say, so simple yet so brilliant! Especially since we get a VioLayne cameo! Also, have to say, your hair looks FANTASTIC and I got a real kick out of your sweatshirt in front of a horror movie character...blanket, is it? Poster? Can't tell for sure.
The song is orignally written in 1939 by Solomon Linda in Zulu language. It has been translated to English and other languages. The English wikipedia lists more than 70 covers beside the originals, according to other sources there may have been more than 150 cover versions. I first heard the song at the Boy Scout campfire - more than 50 years ago.
They are just outside of PattyCake Productions that is located inside the Oviedo Mall. They do many VoicePlay videos inside PattyCake, minis and shorts are ouside the studio in the Mall it's self. Yes, J None is singing for the Navy and now that he is stationed in Washinton DC he is closer to the boys. Just a short flight to Orlando. J. None just releised a new video on his channel.
I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction -- you seemed to really be enjoying the song as much as I did. My memories of this song? It's one that I feel like I've known forever, but my main memory of it is Barry Manilow in the early 80s when he was on tour in England -- they put a video of one of his concerts on TV here in the U.S., and one of the songs he did was The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Loved watching this video of my new obsession VoicePlay doing it! New subscriber to your channel, btw...
The song is pretty old 1930s recorded by Pete Seeger then made popular in the 1960s by The Tokens the same year. VP had recorded it on their first(?) album Time Machine, I am so glad they revisited and updated it complete with shenanigans . There is a very interesting documentary about this song as well called "The Lion's Share" it has been named "pop's most contentious song" *edited to correct singer.
They also promote Jay None song on his RU-vid J.None - Am I Here [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yABT4rmgjuU.html
