Friday Five: Jungles

On this date in 1936, Rudyard Kipling passed away at the age of 70. His children’s stories are works of art that have endured a century now. His collection of short stories known as The Jungle Book is the most notable–particularly after Walt Disney made a film based loosely on the book. This week’s Friday Five gets its inspiration from that book.

5. Joe South – “Concrete Jungle”

South began his career with the novelty hit “The Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor” before embarking on a more serious career, best known as a songwriter. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1979.

 

4. Chet Atkins – “Jungle Dream”

The amazing Chet Atkins can make you feel like you’re sitting seaside with just a few strums of the guitar.

 

3. Dallas Frazier – “King of the Jungle”

Frazier is another Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member with eight charted hits of his own and too many songwriting credits to even mention.

 

2. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Run Through the Jungle”

CCR’s song, according to lead singer John Fogerty, isn’t about the Vietnam War as many people think. It’s more about the proliferation of guns and the gun movement in the early 1970s. The more things change…

 

1. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears – “Livin’ in the Jungle”

This group blends blues, funk, and soul, crossing genres with abandon.