THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

557-Safri Duo-Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song.)

2001-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 1.11. The tribal drum is said to have been invented in the 12th Century in West Africa. In African culture the beating of the drum is performed on important occasions such as weddings or funerals. It is said that once fully engaged, a performer or listener can reach a ‘trance’ like state through the hypnotic beats, which leads me nicely into this song.

The Safri Duo were formed in Copenhagen, Dennmark, in 1990, by Uffe Savery (born April 5th, 1966,) and Morten Friis (born August 21st, 1968.) The duo took their stage name from the first letters of their respective surnames. The pair had first met at the Tivoli Garden, an amusement park in Copenhagen, and again later during their time at the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music, also in Copenhagen, where they formed an experimental musical duo.Their early releases were in the genre of Classical Music, performing pieces by Bach, and Mendelssohn, as well as by more contemporary composers. They released six studio Albums of Classical Music between 1990-1998, with much of their work being critically acclaimed.

Mainstream success came in the year 2000 when Savery, and Friis experimented with Tribal Drums and Trance Music, for their seventh studio Album ‘Episode 2.’ ‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) went on to become a major hit in Europe, and one of the most popular Dance tracks of the year.The song went to Number 1 in their native Denmark, and also topped the chart in Switzerland. In the UK the song reached Number 6, and remains the duo’s sole hit, the only other time they have bothered the chart was in 2002 when their cover version of ‘Sweet Freedom,’ featuring Michael McDonald, the songs original performer, made Number 54.

‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song’) was produced by fellow Dane Michael Parsberg (born in 1974.) Parsberg is a producer of ‘Trance,’ and ‘House Music, finding great success with artists such as DJ Encore, and Barcode Brothers. He is also a sought after remixer, having worked with artists such as Shakira, and the Danish bands Aqua, and Infernal.