I Wan'na Be Like You

Album: The Jungle Book (1967)
Play Video
  • Now I'm the king of the swingers, the jungle V.I.P
    I reached the top and had to stop
    And that's what bothering me
    I want to be a man, man-cub, and stroll right into town
    And be just like those other men
    I'm tired of monkeying around
    Now don't try to kid me, man-cub, I'll make a deal with you
    What I desire is man's red fire to make my dreams come true
    So give me the secret, man-cub, clue me what to do
    Give me the power of man's red flower so I can be like you
    Ooh-bi-doo, I wan'na be like you
    I want to walk like you, talk like you, too
    You see it's true, an ape like me
    Can learn to be like you, too
    Now don't try to kid me, man-cub, I made a deal with you
    What I desire is man's red fire to make my dream's come true
    So give me the secret, man-cub, clue me what to do
    Give me the power of man's red flower so I can be like you
    Ooh-bi-doo, I wan'na be like you
    I want to walk like you, talk like you, too
    You see it's true, an ape like me
    Can learn to be like you, too
    Break it down boys, break it down boys, break it down
    Break it down boys, break it down boys, break it down
    Now I'm the king of the swingers, the jungle V.I.P.
    I reached the top and had to stop
    And that's what bothering me
    I want to be a man, man-cub, and stroll right into town
    And be just like those other men
    I'm tired of monkeying around
    Ooh-bi-doo, I wan'na be like you
    I want to walk like you, talk like you, too
    You see it's true, an ape like me
    Can learn to be like you, too
    Can learn to be someone like me Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Phillip Schubert from Sydney Nsw AustraliaHere are the complete lyrics to "I Wanna Be Like You (The Monkey Song)" that my son and I worked out yesterday. Enjoy!

    A baba doop doop doobi-doop

    Now I'm the king of the swingers, oh, the jungle V.I.P.
    I've reached the top and had to stop, and that's what's botherin' me.
    I wanna be a man, man-cub, and stroll right into town
    And be just like the other men, I'm tired of monk'in around!

    Oh, oobie-doo! (hoop dee weep)
    I wanna be like you-oo-oo. (hop ta woobie dooba)
    I wanna walk like you, (cheep) talk like you, (cheep) too-oo-oo (weebie deebie doo)
    You'll see it's true-oo-oo (shoobideedoo)
    An ape like me-ee-ee (scoobie doobie doobie)
    Can learn to be hu-oo-oo-man too-oo-oo.

    R-r-r-r-roopatichiko! R-r-r-rupachikee!
    Spukitcha pukitcha pukitcha pukitcha pukitcha sa-bik bang ronka wonka wheee-heee!

    Now here's your part of the deal, cuz:
    Lay the secret on me of man's red fire.

    Now don't try to kid me, man-cub!
    I made a deal with you.
    What I desire is man's red fire
    To make my dream come true.
    Now, gimme the secret, man-cub!
    C'mon, clue me what to do.
    Give me the power of man's red flower
    So I can be like you.

    Hey!
    Da zop bon lonay!
    Hop ta deep da labba dop don lone!
    Uhn nebbadebet!
    Doot zabba doot da day, doot bop da boop da day, za bon, za bop bop bobbay!
    Hobadoo-dee!
    Widda beep ba naza!
    Hebba dabba doy!
    Widda la ba zini.
    Whudlabut, whoodlabut.
    Zeebladut doodie.
    Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
    Widda ha-ha-ha!
    Ha-rrawrr-rrawrr!
    Get mad, baby!
    Hudaluddle hudalut!
    Widda hut lutta huttle doodie.
    Hodle dodle deedle doot!
    Gazupa doota dut-dut-dut.
    Dooladoot! Dooladoot!
    Gazeebadabah, hahbadah!

    Yoo-hoo-hoo! (hoop dee weep) I wanna be like you-hoo-hoo! (hoptee woobie-doobie)
    I wanna walk like you, (cheep) talk like you, too-oo-oo. (weebie-deebie-deebie-deebie)
    You'll see it's true-oo-oo (shoobidee doo).
    Some one like me (oobie-doobie-doobie)
    Can learn to be like someone like me! (Take me home, daddy!)
    Can learn to be like someone like you! (One more time! Yeah!)
    Can learn to be like someone like me-eee!
    Zee dee bee bop-bop boddle doodle daht n daht n daht n daht n daht n…..maaahhhhn.
    Special bonus! King Louie's opening scat improvisation:

    Wabadoo ding da deet ding loo
    La dood lio d'zing boing
    Skabadoo hoobidee zeebadoo zep
    Dulip dooding moing

    Wanna be a man man moing moing orang morang adang adango….
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.