Mumbo

Album: Wild Life (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The phrase "Mumbo Jumbo" indicates meaningless or confusing language or action. It comes from the name given by 18th century Europeans to a grotesque idol said to have been worshipped by some African tribes. Here, Paul McCartney improvises lyrics that basically comprise a bunch of mumbo jumbo.
  • The Wings lineup that recorded this song comprised:

    Paul McCartney: vocals, bass, electric guitar
    Denny Laine: electric guitar
    Denny Seiwell: drums
    Linda McCartney: organ, piano
  • "Mumbo" is the opening track of Wings' debut album, Wild Life. In an attempt to capture the spontaneity of live performances, five of the record's eight songs were first takes by the band, including this one.

    "That song came from, you know, the band would just get an idea of a chord, or something," McCartney recalled in an interview on his website. "We'd just jam on it. And, it would be just, 'Okay, this is in F', or whatever key it's in. And we'd just play. And I'd sort of shout stuff over the top. It's all part of becoming a band. You know, you learn that I'm gonna be goofy and sing some goofy things."
  • The song originated when the Wings quartet was jamming and co-engineer Tony Clark hit the record button. McCartney, upon noticing, shouted "Take it, Tony," and started ad-libbing lyrics. "'Mumbo' is just a big scream of no words," said McCartney. "A wacky idea, cos it was just 'Whuurrrgghh A-hurrgghhh!' and we mixed it back so it was like 'Louie Louie.' Everyone's going, What are the words of that? Just hope they don't ask for the sheet music. Which no one ever did, luckily."
  • Paul McCartney has a long history of spontaneous lyrics, such as the three experimental, improvised Fireman albums he made with Martin "Youth" Glover. His McCartney III track, "Seize the Day," is another example of Macca making up the words on the spot.
  • Wings' August 22, 1972 performance of the song at their concert in Antwerp, Belgium, is Track 5 on the live album Wings Over Europe. McCartney released the record in 2018 as part of the limited edition boxset Wings 1971-73.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.