"Mama Look at Bubu" (later retitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo") is a song written by Trinidadian calypsonian Lord Melody, Harry Belafonte and Lord Burgess, and performed by Harry Belafonte featuring Bob Corwin's Orchestra & Chorus featuring Millard Thomas, Franz Casseus and Victor Messer on guitars. Although Belafonte gets co-writing credit on his 1957 release, the song first appeared on Lord Melody's single "Mama Look a Boo Boo" in 1955 (with slightly different lyrics), and his debut album "Calypso Fiesta – Limbo In Trinidad" in 1956 (retitled "Boo Boo"), with solo writing credit to Lord Melody (real name Fitzroy Alexander).^[1]

First heard by Belafonte in the West Indies while filming "Island in the Sun", Boo Boo was an unprecedented hit in Trinidad, the land of calypso.^[2] The Belafonte version later swept the U.S. as well. Belafonte's cover reached #10 on the U.S. R&B chart and #11 on the U.S. pop chart in 1957.^[3] It was featured on his 1957 album The Versatile Mr. Belafonte.^[4]

Other versions

• Steve Karmen released a version of the song entitled "Mama Look-A Boo Boo" as a single in 1957, but it did not chart.^[5]
• Chubby Checker released a version of the song entitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo" on his 1963 album Let's Limbo Some More.^[6]
• Leftover Salmon released a version of the song entitled "Booboo" on their 1993 album Bridges to Bert.
• The Belafonte Folk Singers released a version of the song entitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo" on their 1997 compilation album All-Time Greatest Hits.^[7]
• Charlie Gracie released a version of the song entitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo" on his 2002 album An Evening with Charlie Gracie which was recorded in 1998.^[8]
• A version by Nat King Cole entitled "Mama Look a Boo Boo" was released on his 2003 compilation album Remembering Nat King Cole.^[9]
• Karl Zéro and The Wailers released a version of the song on their 2004 album HiFi Calypso.^[10]

References