Hakuna Matata - Rude Bones

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday! I know I did.

To start off this new year, I would like to share with you a cover of Hakuna Matata by Japanese third-wave ska band RUDE BONES from the Japanese exclusive album, DIVE INTO DISNEY.

Rude Bones has been around for the past 15 years and has recently released a Greatest Hits compilation. Sadly, Hakuna Matata didn't make the cut. Maybe this is due to the fact that the horn section didn't make it onto this track.

If you own Dive into Disney, you can hear an alternate version of this song as a hidden track at the end of the album. You can also find a live version of the song on the DVD CAPDOWN AND RUDEBONES - LIVE IN BRIGHTON 2003 which was released in the UK.

Hakuna Matata Rude Bones 2002

Good Company - Cubismo Grafico Five

Today is the 20th anniversary of Disney's 27th animated feature, Olvier and Company. For some reason, the music in this movie hasn't reached the same status as their other movies, even though it ushered in the return of the musical in Disney animated movies. Sure, there were songs in Great Mouse Detective, Fox and the Hound and Robin Hood, but none of those movies are remembered as musicals. Oliver and Company is a musical and it made it easier for Disney to decided whether or not it should go back to its musical roots. The Little Mermaid came out the following year.

Having said all that, since the songs from Oliver and Company aren't at the forefront of people's minds when thinking about Disney music, there are very few Oliver and Company covers out there. I only have two and I am posting one of them today.

Good Company is covered and performed by CUBISMO GRAFICO FIVE, a Japanese ska band that has been recording since the early 00s. Originally known as Cubismo Grafico, the band leader and lead singer Gakuji Matsuda expanded his solo DJ/remixing gig to include four other band members and a completely new sound. Thus, the name of the group was changed to Cubismo Grafico Five.

This track was recorded around the time of their first release, CINQ (FOUR+ONE), in 2004 and can be found on the Japanese exclusive MOSH PIT ON DISNEY.

Good Company Cubismo Grafico Five 2004

It's Not Easy - Reel Big Fish

From the sunny shores of Huntington Beach, California, REEL BIG FISH has been entertaining crowds with their punk/ska sound since 1997. After their single Sell Out started getting mainstream radio play the band realized their dream of being rock stars. Since then, they have been on the road touring and recording new material.

Last Reel Big Fish released MONKEYS FOR NOTHIN' AND THE CHIMPS FOR FREE which hit #40 on the UK charts and coming up in January the band will release their seventh studio album, FAME, FORTUNE AND FORNICATION, which will be made completely up of cover songs.

In 2004, Reel Big Fish recorded a cover of It's Not Easy for the Japanese Disney cover album MOSH PIT ON DISNEY, and it's today, the 31st anniversary of Pete's Dragon, that I am sharing it with you.

It's Not Easy Reel Big Fish 2004

Under the Sea - Suburban Legends

Way back when, Christine requested the SUBURBAN LEGENDS version of the Oscar winning Under the Sea. The song is often used as the band's show closer as it is a huge fan-favourite. Unfortunately, we may never see an album recording of this song due to licensing issues.

I don't know what show this live recording is taken from. If you search youtube you can find many different recordings from many different shows. If any of you out there knows what show this comes from, please leave a comment!

Since their formation in 1998, Suburban Legends has used many Disney songs in their live shows. Their fun ska/funk style turns this song into a great crowd pleaser. It makes me want to go to their show just so I can join the dancing crowd! I'll post more Disney covers by Suburban Legends in the future with a special track coming in May. Stay tuned!

Under the Sea Suburban Legends

I Wanna Be Like You - Voodoo Glow Skulls

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you're probably asking why I am posting another Jungle Book cover so soon after Jungle Book week. Right? Well, there are two reasons why I am posting this song.

1) Even though we celebrated the 50th anniversary and the DVD release two weeks ago, today is the actual 50th anniversary of the Jungle Book. So I want to celebrate with a song.

2) According to my web stats, someone (or someones) is desperately trying to find a punk version of I Wan'na Be Like You. They have tried multiple different keyword searches on Google and keep coming back to this site. Whoever you are, this song if for you!

It's the punkiest version of I Wan'na Be Like You that I have by a group called VOODOO GLOW SKULLS. This track can be found on the Japanese exclusive album DIVE INTO DISNEY. The Voodoo Glow Skulls' style isn't actually punk. It's called third-wave ska which uses traditional ska and combines it with punk and metal to give the sound a more upbeat, frantic feel.

Thanks for putting up with another Jungle Book cover. I promise I'll give them a break until November, at least.

I Wanna Be Like You Voodoo Glow Skulls 2002