<P> `` The Lion Sleeps Tonight '' is a song written and recorded originally by Solomon Linda with the Evening Birds for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939 , under the title `` Mbube '' . Composed in Zulu , it was adapted and covered internationally by many 1950s and ' 60s pop and folk revival artists , including the Weavers , Jimmy Dorsey , Yma Sumac , Miriam Makeba and the Kingston Trio . In 1961 , it became a number one hit in the United States as adapted in English with the best - known version by the doo - wop group the Tokens . It went on to earn at least US $15 million in royalties from cover versions and film licensing . The pop group Tight Fit had a number one hit in the UK with the song in 1982 . </P>
<P> `` The Lion Sleeps Tonight '' is a song written and recorded originally by Solomon Linda with the Evening Birds for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939 , under the title `` Mbube '' . Composed in Zulu , it was adapted and covered internationally by many 1950s and ' 60s pop and folk revival artists , including the Weavers , Jimmy Dorsey , Yma Sumac , Miriam Makeba and the Kingston Trio . In 1961 , it became a number one hit in the United States as adapted in English with the best - known version by the doo - wop group the Tokens . It went on to earn at least US $15 million in royalties from cover versions and film licensing . The pop group Tight Fit had a number one hit in the UK with the song in 1982 . </P>
who was the first to sing the lion sleeps tonight
who was the first to sing the lion sleeps tonight
Solomon Linda
Solomon Linda