About the song
Ah, 1954. Eisenhower was in the White House, a gallon of gas cost 29 cents, and a catchy new rhythm was sweeping the nation: the mambo. While names like Tito Puente and Perez Prado were igniting dance floors with fiery Latin beats, a crooner known for his smooth ballads stepped onto the scene with his own unique take on this vibrant trend. That crooner was none other than Perry Como, and the song, of course, was “Papa Loves Mambo.”
Now, Perry Como wasn’t exactly known for his hip-shaking moves. His image was more cardigan sweaters and fireside chats than sizzling Latin nights. Yet, with “Papa Loves Mambo,” he managed to capture the infectious energy of the dance craze while staying true to his relaxed, easy-listening style. The song is a delightful blend of contrasting elements: Como’s velvety vocals, the playful bounce of the mambo rhythm, and lyrics that tell a charming story of a middle-aged man rediscovering his youthful zest for life.
There’s a wonderful sense of humor woven into the song. Here we have this respectable family man, “Papa,” suddenly swept up in the mambo mania. He’s sneaking off to dance halls, “doing the mambo ’til the break of dawn,” much to the amusement (and perhaps slight exasperation) of his wife. It’s a lighthearted look at the universal desire to let loose and have a little fun, no matter your age.
But “Papa Loves Mambo” is more than just a novelty song. It’s a testament to the power of music to transcend generations and cultural boundaries. In a time of social change and anxieties about the Cold War, this song offered a welcome escape, a chance to simply enjoy the moment and let the music move you. And move you it did! “Papa Loves Mambo” became a huge hit for Como, reaching number four on the Billboard charts and solidifying the mambo’s place in American popular culture.
So, put on your dancing shoes, pour yourself a cocktail (or a nice cup of tea), and let the timeless charm of Perry Como and “Papa Loves Mambo” transport you back to a time when life seemed a little simpler and the rhythm was king.
Video
Lyrics
Papa loves mambo
Mama loves mambo
Look at ’em sway with it, gettin’ so gay with it
Shoutin’ ole with it, wow
Papa loves mambo (papa loves mambo)
Mama loves mambo (mama loves mambo)
Papa does great with it, swings like a gate with it
He loses weight with it now
Now he goes to, she goes fro
He goes fast, she goes slow
He goes left, mm, she goes right
Papa’s lookin’ for mama, but mama is nowhere in sight
Papa loves mambo
Mama loves mambo
Havin’ their fling again, younger than spring again
Feelin’ that zing again, wow
Papa loves mambo (papa loves mambo)
Mama loves mambo (mama loves mambo)
Don’t let her rumba and don’t let her samba
‘Cause papa loves mama tonight
Papa loves mambo
Mama loves mambo
Papa loves mambo
Mama loves mambo
He goes to, she goes fro
He goes fast, she goes slow
He goes left, mm, she goes right
Papa’s lookin’ for mama, but mama is nowhere in sight
Papa loves mambo (papa loves mambo)
Mama loves mambo (mama loves mambo)
Havin’ their fling again, younger than spring again
Feelin’ that zing again, wow
mambo papa
(Mama loves mambo) mambo mama
Don’t let her rumba and don’t let her samba
‘Cause papa loves the mambo tonight