Kon-Tiki (song)

"Kon-Tiki"
Single by The Shadows
B-side	"36-24-36"
Released	1 September 1961 (1961-09-01)
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
"The Frightened City" (1961) "Kon-Tiki" (1961) "The Savage" (1961)

"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

1. "Kon-Tiki" – 1:51
2. "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 (GfK) [9]	29
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade) [10]	5
Norway (VG-lista) [11]	7
UK Singles (OCC) [3]	1

References

1. Koers, Ivo. "Instrumentation On Shadows Recordings II: The Primary Singles" (PDF). malcolmcampbell.me.uk. p. 8. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
2. 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.
3. "Shadows: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
4. "126. The Shadows - Kon-Tiki (1961)". Every UK Number 1. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
5. The Shadows - Kon-Tiki , retrieved 26 November 2021
6. Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-44439-5.
7. "The Shadows – Kon-Tiki" (in French). Ultratop 50.
8. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard . 3 March 1962. p. 12. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
9. "The Shadows – Kon-Tiki" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
10. "Lever Hit Parade". flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
11. "The Shadows – Kon-Tiki". VG-lista.