Stranded in the Jungle by The Cadets

Album: The Cadets Meet The Jacks (1956)

Charted: 15

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Songfacts®:

The Cadets were originally the Jacks -- they changed their name so they could cover the Jayhawks' original version of this for Modern Records.
The Cadets' version was released at roughly the same time as the Jayhawks' and beat the original up the charts. A version by the Gadabouts was released a few weeks later -- their version of the novelty record peaked at #39.
In the Jayhawks' version, a telephone can be heard ringing in the background.
When the Cadets broke up in late 1956, bass singer William "Dub" Jones joined the Coasters and lead singer Aaron Collins formed the Flares ("Foot Stomping"). >>
Suggestion credit:
Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for all above

Comments: 7

Jessica from Maine, UsaThe 5th line in the lyrics section, "But how was I to know there was a record jump my plane" is wrong. They actually sing, "but how was I to know the wreckage of my plane".
Lonnie from Hollywood, CaThere was never a name change, The Jacks recorded on RPM and The Cadets on Modern, both owned by the Bihari bros. The groups were the same one and existed simultaneously because the owners wanted to be able to have 2 records on the charts at the same time by the same group. Get your facts at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hollywood-CA/Doo-Wop-Hall-of-Fame/318267995256#!
Russ from Providence, RiAn all-time favorite; a classic novelty that competed with the Coasters and Buchanan & Goodman.
However, if you lived in the northeast and didn't have tne "big" album, Jacks Meet the Cadets, "Stranded in the Jungle" was all you heard by the Cadets.
There were some noticeable similarities in the background tones when "Why Don't You Write Me" was released under the Jacks. At the time, most folks didn't know the difference and thought there were 2 separate groups. Why Don't You Write Me is still one of my favorite R&B "blue lights in the basement" type of song.
Isaac from San Francisco, CaIs it just me or is this song based loosely yet obviously on "The Odyssey" by Homer?
Don from NewmarketThis song was also covered by The New York Dolls.
Spoink from Mookalai, OrThis song is a stroke of genius, in my humble. The "stateside" sections really swing, but if you ask me, the "jungle" bits are where it's at. It gives that very campy 50's post-jazz feeling, like the jungles of Africa are something mythical and terrifying, but also caricatured to the point of being laughable. Supa' cool.
Henry from Kingston, NyHaven't heard it in a while, but I think it's a really good song. The "back in the states" moments are the highlights.

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