Kon-Tiki (song)
| "Kon-Tiki" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Shadows | ||||
| B-side | "36-24-36" | |||
| Released | 1 September 1961 | |||
| Recorded | 27 January 1961[1] | |||
| Studio | EMI Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Instrumental surf | |||
| Length | 1:51 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Michael Carr[2] | |||
| Producer(s) | Norrie Paramor[2] | |||
| The Shadows singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Kon-Tiki" is an instrumental tune by British group the Shadows, released as a single in September 1961. It was the group's fifth hit and their second to top the UK Singles Chart.[3]
Background and release
"Kon-Tiki" was written by Michael Carr, who had previously written "Man of Mystery" for the group. It refers to the raft used by Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl on his 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition.[4] It was released with the B-side "36-24-36", which was written by the four Shadows members.[5]
Track listing
7": Columbia / DB 4698
- "Kon-Tiki" – 1:51
- "36-24-36" – 1:42
Personnel
- Hank Marvin – electric lead guitar
- Bruce Welch – acoustic rhythm guitar
- Jet Harris – electric bass guitar
- Tony Meehan – drums
Charts
| Chart (1961–62) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 4 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[7] | 35 |
| France[8] | 7 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[9] | 29 |
| New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)[10] | 5 |
| Norway (VG-lista)[11] | 7 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[3] | 1 |
References
- ^ Koers, Ivo. "Instrumentation On Shadows Recordings II: The Primary Singles" (PDF). malcolmcampbell.me.uk. p. 8. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ a b Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 61. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
- ^ a b "Shadows: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "126. The Shadows - Kon-Tiki (1961)". Every UK Number 1. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ The Shadows - Kon-Tiki, retrieved 26 November 2021
- ^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
- ^ "The Shadows – Kon-Tiki" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 3 March 1962. p. 12. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ "The Shadows – Kon-Tiki" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "Lever Hit Parade". flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ "The Shadows – Kon-Tiki". VG-lista.
