# Can you identify this song from the '70s or '80s? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [June 20, 2024, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086 "2024-06-20T03:36:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086/1 "2024-06-20T03:36:21Z")
I have no idea what it’s called or what the true lyrics are, but the first line has always sounded like “It’s the Gambay Bolonga, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh!” to me. It has a distinct West Indies/African beat. I thought it might be from Boney M, but I can’t find one of theirs that matches, and now I can’t get it out of my head! Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086/2 "2024-06-20T03:41:59Z")
Never mind, I found it! It’s “Kalimba de Luna” by Boney M. > [https://youtu.be/3FEguwhb7Ts/](https://youtu.be/3FEguwhb7Ts/) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086/3 "2024-06-20T04:47:01Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > “It’s the Gambay Bolonga, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh!” I used that as an AI prompt. [![](https://i.postimg.cc/vZNfY18t/Screenshot-20240620-004455.jpg) ](https://i.postimg.cc/vZNfY18t/Screenshot-20240620-004455.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086/4 "2024-06-20T05:41:01Z")
I was going to suggest the Goombay Dance Band… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086/5 "2024-06-20T06:40:22Z")
Thanks for the Nightmares. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086/6 "2024-06-20T11:08:27Z")
Cool! I like that! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086/7 "2024-06-20T11:14:45Z")
Wasn’t “Gambay Bolonga” (or a name like it) used in _ **Roots** _ for The Gambia? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086/8 "2024-06-20T13:53:09Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I used that as an AI prompt. > [@Gatopescado](#): > > Thanks for the Nightmares. No doubt. I cannot wrap my mind around whether I’m delighted or terrified at the crazy stuff AI produces.