Wondering Where the Lions Are
Encyclopedia
"Wondering Where the Lions Are" is a song by Bruce Cockburn
, from his 1979 album Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws
. It was Cockburn's only Top 40 hit in the United States
, peaking at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
While also a Top 40 hit in Cockburn's native Canada
, it was not his biggest hit in that country, where seven of his subsequent singles reached higher chart positions. It was, however, named the 29th greatest Canadian song of all time in the 2005 CBC Radio
series 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version
.
Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Douglas Cockburn OC is a Canadian folk/rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. His most recent album was released in March 2011. He has written songs in styles ranging from folk to jazz-influenced rock to rock and roll.-Biography:...
, from his 1979 album Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws
Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws
- Personnel :* Bruce Cockburn - Guitar, chimes, synthesizer, dulcimer, voice* Pat Godfrey - Piano, marimba, background vocal on "Wondering Where the Lions Are"* Robert Boucher - Bass* Bob Di Salle - Drums, congasexcept on "Wondering Where the Lions Are"...
. It was Cockburn's only Top 40 hit in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, peaking at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
While also a Top 40 hit in Cockburn's native Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, it was not his biggest hit in that country, where seven of his subsequent singles reached higher chart positions. It was, however, named the 29th greatest Canadian song of all time in the 2005 CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
series 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version
50 Tracks: The Canadian Version
50 Tracks: The Canadian Version was a Canadian radio series, which aired across Canada on CBC Radio One in 2005. The show, hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, was a competition to determine the 50 most essential songs in English language Canadian pop music history...
.
Covers
The song has been covered numerous times:- by R&B group B-Funn on the 1992 Cockburn tribute album Kick at the DarknessKick at the DarknessKick at the Darkness is a tribute album to Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn, released in 1991. The title comes from a line in the song "Lovers in a Dangerous Time", gotta kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight....
- the soundtrack for the 2006 film HootHoot (film)Hoot is a 2006 American family comedy film based on Carl Hiaasen's novel of the same name. It was directed by Wil Shriner and produced by New Line Cinema and Walden Media. Hoot was released on May 5, 2006....
included a cover of the song by Jimmy BuffettJimmy BuffettJames William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"... - by Donavon FrankenreiterDonavon FrankenreiterDonavon Frankenreiter is an American musician and surfer. He is a long-time friend of Jack Johnson and his debut self-titled album was released in 2004 on Johnson's Brushfire Records through Universal Music and made the Australian ARIA Top-40 charts in April 2004.-Surfing career:He took up surfing...
on his 2007 album Recycled Recipes. - by AmericanaAmericanaAmericana refers to artifacts, or a collection of artifacts, related to the history, geography, folklore and cultural heritage of the United States. Many kinds of material fall within the definition of Americana: paintings, prints and drawings; license plates or entire vehicles, household objects,...
band Vigilantes of LoveVigilantes of LoveVigilantes of Love is a rock band fronted by Bill Mallonee with a large number of secondary players drawn from the musician pool in and around Athens, Georgia...
on the Roaring Lambs compilation. - by Leo SayerLeo SayerLeo Sayer is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s...
on the record World RadioWorld RadioWorld Radio is the ninth album by the English singer-songwriter, Leo Sayer, and was released in May 1982. It was his tenth successive Top 50 chart entry in the UK Albums Chart, in a period of a little over eight years.-Track listing:#"Heart "...
.