The Tokens topped the CHUM Charts in December 1961 with 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'

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"The Lion Sleeps Tonight", also known as "Wimoweh" and originally as "Mbube", is a song recorded by Solomon Linda and his group The Evening Birds for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939. It was covered internationally by many 1950s pop and folk revival artists, including The Weavers, Jimmy Dorsey, Yma Sumac, Miriam Makeba, and The Kingston Trio. In 1961, it became a number one hit in the U.S. as adapted by the doo-wop group The Tokens. It went on to earn at least 15 million US dollars in royalties from covers and film licensing. Then, in the mid-nineties, it became a pop "supernova" (in the words of South African writer Rian Malan) when licensed to Walt Disney for use in the film The Lion King, its spin-off TV series and live musical, prompting a lawsuit on behalf of the impoverished descendants of Solomon Linda. - Wikipedia


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CHART NUMBER 246
Monday, December 25, 1961



This Week/Last Week/Artist/Track/Total Weeks

1 1 Tokens, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, The 4
2 2 Checker, Chubby Twist, The 5
3 10 Helms, Bobby Jingle Bell Rock 1
3 10 Rydell, Bobby Jingle Bell Rock 2
4 8 Checker, Chubby Let's Twist Again 2
5 4 Presley, Elvis Can't Help Falling In Love 4
5 4 Presley, Elvis Rock-A-Hula Baby 4
6 3 Dee, Joey & The Starliters Peppermint Twist, The (Part 1) 3
7 9 Sedaka, Neil Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen 4
8 6 Vee, Bobby Run To Him 4
10 7 Highwaymen, The Cotton Fields 6
10 7 Highwaymen, The Gypsy Rover 6
11 11 Shannon, Del Hey! Little Girl 3
12 12 Francis, Connie When The Boy In Your Arms (Is The Boy In Your Heart) 3 12 12 Francis, Connie Baby's First Christmas 2
13 14 Ives, Burl A Little Bitty Tear 3
14 5 Darren, James Goodbye Cruel World 9
15 16 Dion Majestic, The 3
16 17 Tillotson, Johnny Dreamy Eyes 3
17 15 Loudermilk, John D. Language Of Love 5
18 20 George, Barbara I Know (You Don't Love Me No More) 2
19 24 Showmen, The It Will Stand 2
20 26 Mitchell, Guy Soft Rain 3
21 49 Campbell, Glen Turn Around, Look At Me 1
22 22 Nelson, Sandy Let There Be Drums 5
23 18 Van Dyke, Leroy Walk On By 7
24 19 Zentner, Si Up A Lazy River 4
25 23 Scott, Linda I Don't Know Why 5
26 45 Anka, Paul Bells At My Wedding, The 1
27 21 Curtola, Bobby Hitchhiker 8
28 41 Black's Combo, Bill Twist-Her 1
29 27 Burke, Solomon Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms) 6
30 43 Domino, Fats Jambalaya (On The Bayou) 1
31 0 Dean, Jimmy Dear Ivan 0
32 30 Boone, Pat Johnny Will 4
33 25 Newley, Anthony Pop Goes The Weasel 3
34 29 King, Claude Comancheros, The 7
35 38 Sands, Tommy Jimmy's Song 2
36 47 Dana, Vic Little Altar Boy 1
37 32 Draper, Rusty Signed, Sealed And Delivered 8
38 28 Dion Runaround Sue 12
39 50 Williams, Roger Maria 1
40 0 Thompson, Sue Norman 0
40 43 Domino, Fats I Hear You Knocking 1
41 31 Duals, The Stick Shift 10
42 35 Williams, Andy Danny Boy 8
42 35 Williams, Andy Fly At Night 7
43 33 Dean, Jimmy Big Bad John 14
43 33 Dean, Jimmy I Won't Go Huntin' With You Jake 5
44 0 Darin, Bobby Multiplication 0
44 0 Darin, Bobby Irresistible You 0
45 34 Washington, Dinah September In The Rain 6
46 0 Page, Patti Go On Home 0
47 39 Nelson, Ricky Everlovin' 11
47 39 Nelson, Ricky A Wonder Like You 11
48 36 Edwards, Bobby You're The Reason 14
49 0 Fisher, Eddie Milk And Honey 0