Ubangi Stomp


"Ubangi Stomp" is an American rockabilly song. Written by Charles Underwood and first released on record by Warren Smith in 1956, the song did not chart, but went on to become a rockabilly standard, covered by many artists. "Ubangi Stomp" – usually Smith's recording – appears on many compilation albums, including The Sun Records Collection and The Best of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour.
"Ubangi Stomp" is a straightforward uptempo rock and roll song; the lyrics, not particularly belletristic, tell in first person the story of a sailor who goes to Africa and, enamored of the local music and dance, jumps ship to go native. Some mixing of cultural stereotypes is seen when supposed Native American terms are mixed into the ostensibly African setting.
The Ubangi Stomp Festival, an annual international exposition of America roots and rockabilly music, takes its name from the song, as does the Ubangi Stomp Club, a Dublin organization that organizes and promotes roots concerts and gigs.
Saxophonist Earl Bostic released an instrumental piece titled "Ubangi Stomp" in 1954, but this has no relation to Underwood's song beyond the title.

Notable recordings