Prince Kajuku
by UFO

Album: Flying (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Kajuku does not appear in any dictionary; like Ian Hunter's legendary Honaloochie Boogie it is an entirely made up word. According to vocalist Phil Mogg, it was the nickname of a guy who worked for UFO. He was very tall and his hair looked like Marsha Hunt's, but ginger instead of black. First they called him "The Prince," later someone added Kajuku - which has no particular meaning.

    Bass player Pete Way was hardly any more forthcoming; in an earlier video interview he said the gent in question was a road manager who used to drive a transit van.

    It remains to be seen how the lyrics relate to him, and probably he would rather they not tell! Group composition "Prince Kajuku" was released as a single twice in 1971, on the Beacon and Decca labels. It was also released in Italy and Japan, and was backed by an instrumental, which was called fittingly "Coming Of Prince Kajuku." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 3

  • Luke Casey from New ZealandThis song is actually about my dad, Paul Casey. His Brother (Steve Casey) was U.F.O's stage manager for many years, but my dad was the only person in their circle of friends at that time who had a job (and a Van) so he drove them to gigs. My mum's brother is Andy Parker (the U.F.O. drummer) so my parents met because of Rock and Roll!
  • Jim from Long Beach, CaI would love to see UFO revamp this masterpiece and incorporate into their live show..
  • Hayden from Tka, New ZealandWow, first comment. One of my favourite songs from UFO, although the whole "Flying: One Hour Space Rock" album is great.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Daniel Lanois

Daniel LanoisSongwriter Interviews

Daniel Lanois on his album Heavy Sun, and the inside stories of songs he produced for U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan.

Songs About Movies

Songs About MoviesSong Writing

Iron Maiden, Adele, Toto, Eminem and Earth, Wind & Fire are just some of the artists with songs directly inspired by movies - and not always good ones.