Coco Jamboo

"Coco Jamboo" is a song by German Eurodance group Mr. President. It was released on 29 March 1996 by WEA and Club Culture as the lead single from their second studio album, We See the Same Sun (1996). The song was written by Kai Matthiesen, Delroy Rennalls and Rainer Gaffrey, and produced by Matthiesen and Gaffrey. While music critics compared it to Swedish band Ace of Base, the song became a hit across Europe. It reached number one in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, and Switzerland. "Coco Jamboo" also experienced success in the United States, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1997. The accompanying music video, directed by John Buche, was filmed in Venezuela. Mr. President was awarded the German 1997 Echo award in the category for Best Dance Single with "Coco Jamboo".

Critical reception

Scottish Aberdeen Evening Express described "Coco Jamboo" as "Ace of Base-style Euro-pop that has already done the business on the continent." Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "Once again, the European dance scene spawns a potential stateside smash. With its balmy bassline and spirited chorus, this single offers a way-familiar (but quite pleasant) pop/dancehall sound à la Ace of Base, but with a rugged hip-hop edge. The blend of wispy female vocals and throaty male rapping contributes to making this an easy programming bet."

A reviewer from Daily Record called it an "anonymous club 18 to 30s style anthem [that is] enjoying predictable summer success." Music Week gave the song a score of four out of five, adding, "We've loved this Ace Of Base-style summertime nursery rhyme ever since we heard it in Germany. It's unashamedly mainstream and is a guaranteed hit — if that is, radio can forget its current dislike of mainstream pop." Polish magazine Porcys listed "Coco Jamboo" at number 100 in their ranking of "100 Singles 1990–1999". They said, "Of course, summer is a season of banalities, but beautiful and joyful, and one of the functions of popular music is to enrich our gray lives with beauty and joy."

Chart performance

"Coco Jamboo" peaked at number one in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Sweden and Switzerland. It was also a top-five hit in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where the single reached number four in July 1996. In the UK, it peaked at number eight in June 1997, spending two weeks at that position. Outside Europe, "Coco Jamboo" was successful in both Australia and New Zealand, where it reached number seven and nine. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number 21, becoming the band's only charting single. On the Billboard Dance Club Play chart, it reached number 17.

The single was awarded with a gold record in Austria (25,000), New Zealand (5,000), Sweden (25,000) and Switzerland (25,000). It also earned a silver record in the UK (200,000) and a platinum record in Australia (70,000), Germany (500,000) and Norway.

Music video

The music video for "Coco Jamboo", released in April 1996, was directed by John Buche. It features the band's members walking on a beach and performing the song. It was filmed in Carúpano, a small city located in the Venezuelan coasts. The video specifically shows Playa Medina and Plaza Santa Rosa, two touristic places in Carúpano, and also part of the Carnival of Carúpano, one of the most iconic Carnivals in Venezuela. Buche would go on directing the videos for the group's next singles, "I Give You My Heart" and "Show Me the Way".

Track listings

Charts

Certifications and sales

Release history

Christmas version

During the 1996 holiday season, a Christmas-themed version of "Coco Jamboo" was released by the band, featuring new lyrics and festive instruments. It is currently viewable on YouTube.

Cover versions

Romanian performer Inna recorded a song called "Rendez Vous" for her fourth studio album, Inna (2015), which samples elements from the recording.

Israeli singer Netta Barzilai performed a cover of the song for the first episode of her YouTube show Netta's Office.

External links

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