"Mama Look at Bubu" (later retitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo") is a song written by Trinidadian calypsonian

Lord Melody Lord Melody (1926 – 26 September 1988)Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', backbeat Books, , p.154-155 was a popular Trinidadian calypsonian, best known for singles such as " Boo Boo Man", "Creature From The Black Lagoon", ...

, and performed by Harry Belafonte featuring Bob Corwin's Orchestra & Chorus featuring Millard Thomas, Franz Casseus and Victor Messer on guitars. Although Belafonte gets co-writing credit on his 1957 release, the song first appeared on Lord Melody's single "Mama Look a Boo Boo" in 1955 (with slightly different lyrics), and his debut album "Calypso Fiesta – Limbo In Trinidad" in 1956 (retitled "Boo Boo"), with solo writing credit to Lord Melody (real name Fitzroy Alexander). First heard by Belafonte in the West Indies while filming "Island in the Sun", Boo Boo was an unprecedented hit in Trinidad, the land of calypso. The Belafonte version later swept the U.S. as well. Belafonte's cover reached #10 on the U.S. R&B chart and #11 on the U.S. pop chart in 1957. It was featured on his 1957 album ''The Versatile Mr. Belafonte''.

Other versions

Steve Karmen Steve Karmen (born January 31, 1937) is an American composer known for his jingles, including "I Love New York", " Call Nationwide, 'Cause Nationwide Is On Your Side", and " Here Comes the King." The King of Jingles, as he is informally known, has ...

released a version of the song entitled "Mama Look-A Boo Boo" as a single in 1957, but it did not chart. *

Chubby Checker Chubby Checker (born Ernest Evans; October 3, 1941) is an American singer and dancer. He is widely known for popularizing many dance styles, including the Twist, with his 1960 hit cover of Hank Ballard & The Midnighters' R&B song " The Twis ...

released a version of the song entitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo" on his 1963 album ''Let's Limbo Some More''. *

Leftover Salmon Leftover Salmon is an American jam band from Boulder, Colorado, formed in 1989. The band's music is a blend of bluegrass, rock, country, and Cajun/ Zydeco (Polyethnic Slamgrass). Over their thirty years as a band, Salmon has released seven s ...

released a version of the song entitled "Booboo" on their 1993 album ''Bridges to Bert''. *

Charlie Gracie Charles Anthony Graci (May 14, 1936 – December 16, 2022), known professionally as Charlie Gracie, was an American rock and roll and rhythm and blues singer and guitarist. His biggest hits were "Butterfly" and "Fabulous", both in 1957. Career ...

released a version of the song entitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo" on his 2002 album ''An Evening with Charlie Gracie'' which was recorded in 1998. *A version by

Nat King Cole Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, alternatively billed as Nat "King" Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole's career as a jazz and Traditional pop, pop ...

entitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo" was released on his 2003 compilation album ''Remembering Nat King Cole''. * Karl Zéro and The Wailers released a version of the song on their 2004 album '' HiFi Calypso''.

References

1957 songs 1957 singles Harry Belafonte songs Chubby Checker songs Charlie Gracie songs Nat King Cole songs RCA Victor singles {{1950s-single-stub