I just heard on Sirius a version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight that I like better than either of the more common ones. Check out Robert John's arrangement from 1972.

Isn't Robert John the guy who sang Sad Eyes? I didn't even know he had covered The Lion Sleeps Tonight and the only version I heard was the original version by The Tokens. How does Robert John sing The Lion Sleeps Tonight? Does he do a great version of it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVjPTOmOmq4http://URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVjPTOmOmq4 (http:/
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Robert John’s version isn’t really rare- it went to #3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 pop singles chart, and was awarded a gold record for selling a million singles. I bought it on a 45 back in the 1980’s. The Tokens’ version got only a little higher on Billboard, hitting#1 on the same Hot 100 chart in 1961.

I think if two or more artists had big hits with the same song, often radio stations seem to play only the most popular version as an oldie.

You can listen to Robert John’s version at the above link. According to a YouTube post, “this million-seller update by Robert John featured participation by Tokens members Hank Medress (arranger-producer) and Jay Siegel (background vocal).”