I Wan'na Be like You (The Monkey Song)

"I Wan'na Be like You" is a song from Walt Disney's 1967 film The Jungle Book. The song was written by songwriters Robert and Richard Sherman and was performed by Louis Prima.[1]

Richard Sherman said he and his brother aimed for a jazz sound, with a Dixieland-like melody. He added that "When we first got an idea for 'I Wan'na Be Like You,' we said an ape swings from a tree, and he's the king of apes. We'll make him 'the king of the swingers.' That's the idea, we'll make him a jazz man." Once Prima was invited to do the song, he mockingly responded the Shermans with "You want to make a monkey out of me? You got me!" The instrumentals were originally recorded by Primawho also played the trumpetand his band, Sam Butera & The Witnesses, but the music was replaced by one written by the film's composer, George Bruns, and orchestrated by Walter Sheets. The "scat dialogue" between Baloo and King Louie was the result of two recording sessions. Louis Prima recorded first, with the intent that Balooplayed in his recording by Buterawould simply repeat what Louie scatted, but Phil Harris decided not to imitate Prima's recording and made up his own. The song was released the same date as the motion picture itself.[2][3]

Cover versions

Robbie Williams version

"I Wanna Be like You"
Song by Robbie Williams featuring Olly Murs from the album Swings Both Ways
Length 03:31
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Guy Chambers
Swings Both Ways track listing

"Go Gentle"
(2)
"I Wanna Be like You"
(3)
"Swing Supreme"
(4)

"I Wan'na Be like You" was covered by British recording artist Robbie Williams featuring British recording artist Olly Murs for his tenth studio album Swings Both Ways (2013). Production of their rendition was handled by Guy Chambers. However, in the liner notes Robbie Williams incorrectly attributes the original to Phil Harris, and says how much he admires Harris (p. 4 of notes in Deluxe Edition).

Weekly charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[7] 55
Germany (Official German Charts)[8] 85
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 64

Uses in popular culture

See also

References

  1. The Jungle Book (1967)Soundtracks from Internet Movie Database
  2. Sherman, Richard. The Jungle Book audio commentary. The Jungle BookPlatinum Edition
  3. I Wan'na Be like You: Richard Sherman shares story behind writing famous Jungle Book song
  4. Kenny Ball 45rpm Discography at www.45rpm.org.uk
  5. Kenny BallKing Of The Swingers (1969) at Discogs
  6. Rebecca Keegan (April 15, 2016). "'Jungle Book' director Jon Favreau keeps the 19th century Kipling tone but updates the classic for modern times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  7. "Austriancharts.at – Robbie Williams feat. Olly Murs – I wanna Be like You" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  8. "Offiziellecharts.de – Robbie Williams feat. Olly Murs – I wanna Be like You". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  9. "Chart Track: Week 48, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
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