Boney M’s Songs

Boney M’s 8 greatest songs

They stood out as a dominant force in disco and funk music.

Although Boney M’s fame in the mainstream was brief, their numerous successful songs have stood the test of time.

Despite not receiving due credit, the band is now commonly seen as a beloved indulgence. Their diverse international composition and music influenced by calypso set them apart, showcasing a significant impact beyond what is typically acknowledged.

The iconic lineup of Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams, and Bobby Farrell only lasted for seven years, yet Boney M achieved remarkable success as one of the top-selling groups of the 1970s.

From 1976 to 1981, the band achieved nine top ten hits in the UK, including two number ones, with worldwide record sales exceeding 100 million during that period.

Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord’ by Boney M: The making of the masterful Christmas mashup

A distinctive fusion of biblical motifs, tropical beats, and disco extravagance firmly established Boney M as one of the prominent groups of the time. Following their rise to stardom and extraordinary achievements, the band faced challenges such as alterations in the lineup, legal disputes, and a decline in popularity, never managing to reclaim their past successes. However, their music continues to resonate at various disco gatherings and festive playlists, ensuring that Boney M’s top ten songs endure:

1. Daddy Cool

Boney M’s iconic single, ‘Daddy Cool’, stands out as their most memorable track. This song marked their entrance into the European disco scene and has since become a common phrase in everyday language. However, it’s worth noting that the US doo-wop group, The Rays, actually released a song with the same title back in 1957.

The term ‘Daddy Cool’ translates to something like “cool cat” and has been widely adopted in popular culture thanks to Boney M’s rendition. The band’s diverse members hailed from different parts of the globe – Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett from Jamaica, Maizie Williams from Montserrat, and Bobby Farrell from Aruba. It was Frank Farian’s genius idea to bring together their unique talents while they were all residing in Germany.

As ‘Daddy Cool’ climbed the charts across Europe, Mitchell pointed out, “There are so few black people in Germany that we tend to not get too much competition.” She added, “And we’ve been here long enough to speak German so we get the best of both worlds.” Undoubtedly, ‘Daddy Cool’ played a pivotal role in introducing Boney M to a global audience.

2. Rivers Of Babylon

Boney M, hailing from Jamaica, took ‘Rivers Of Babylon’ to the pinnacle of the UK music charts in 1978, achieving the highest sales for a single that year. This rendition of The Melodians’ 1970 classic resonated deeply with the Rastafarian movement, propelling the Euro-disco band, including members Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett from Jamaica, into the spotlight. Drawing inspiration from Psalm 137 in The Bible, the song topped charts across Europe, Australasia, and South Africa. Remarkably, in the UK, it dominated the charts for five consecutive weeks and continues to be among the top ten best-selling singles in UK chart history.

3. Rasputin

A legendary Rus monk-turned-seductress may not typically serve as the muse for a disco tune, but Boney M managed to pull it off flawlessly with their hit ‘Rasputin’.

Despite reaching the second spot on the UK charts, they were advised against performing it live while touring the Soviet Union, being among the few Western acts to find success there. On the 30th of December 2010, Bobby Farrell passed away in St. Petersburg, coincidentally on the same date and in the same city where the real Rasputin met his end in 1916. Interestingly, ‘Rasputin’ experienced a revival in 2021 thanks to the #Rasputindancechallenge trending on TikTok.

4. Ma Baker

One of the grooviest tracks ever composed centering on a notorious crime boss, ‘Ma Baker’ was inspired by Kate Barker, who raised four sons that gained notoriety as criminals during the early 20th century similar to Bonnie & Clyde. Depicted as the mother figure of the criminal clan, she played a secondary role in her sons’ illegal activities, yet her legacy endured even after her death in 1935, when she was shot by the FBI during the organization’s lengthiest shoot-out to date.

With its infectious funk guitar rhythm and catchy bassline, ‘Ma Baker’ became a major sensation throughout Europe in 1977, reaching second place in the UK charts. Its claim to the number one spot was thwarted by Donna Summer’s iconic and era-defining track ‘I Feel Love’, making it quite a respectable song to be edged out by.

5. Sunny

Bobby Hebb’s 1963 track ‘Sunny’ has been widely covered over the years, with Boney M giving it a disco twist in 1976. By including it in their first album, “Take the Heat off Me,” the group solidified their position in the Euro-disco genre. The song’s popularity across Europe led to its constant sampling and remixing, ensuring Boney M remained relevant to fans worldwide.

6. Belfast

The song, possibly the most dance-friendly tune ever composed about the politically-tense Belfast, a city deeply affected by “The Troubles,” achieved the eighth spot in the UK charts. Interestingly, the songwriters initially aimed to title it ‘Londonderry’, but the word count mismatch led them to settle for a different name. Singer Marcia Barnett clarified later that the song is devoid of any political agenda or intent to spark controversy, categorically stating it is not a protest anthem. She also mentioned how soldiers in Germany, drawing from their experiences in Belfast, expressed gratitude towards the band for the song.

7. Brown Girl In The Ring

The classic children’s song from the West Indies, where Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barnett hail from, ‘Brown Girl In The Ring,’ achieved significant success for Boney M. Originally featured as the B-side to ‘Rivers Of Babylon,’ it garnered enough radio play to reach the second spot on the UK charts. Frank Farian, the founder and main songwriter of Boney M, faced allegations of plagiarizing the arrangement, leading to a legal battle that lasted nearly two decades.

8. Mary’s Boy Child

In 1978, the popular Christmas classic ‘Mary’s Boy Child,’ released alongside ‘Oh My Lord’ as a double A-side, became one of Boney M’s most successful singles. It dominated the UK charts for four weeks, securing the coveted Christmas number one spot for that year. Originally performed by the talented Harry Belafonte in 1957, it marked his historic achievement as the first black male artist to reach number one in the UK. Boney M’s rendition followed Belafonte’s success, solidifying its position as one of the best-selling singles of all time.