Top 10 Best Donkey Kong Country (1996) Songs
Donkey Kong Country is a TV show that originated in 1996. It follows the titular character, Donkey Kong, along with his many accomplices, such as his best friend Diddy Kong, his on-and-off girlfriend Candy Kong, and his supposed grandfather Cranky Kong.The main plot revolves around the Crystal Coconut, an extremely powerful relic that can essentially do anything. The Crystal Coconut is constantly being targeted and stolen by the devious King K. Rool and his minions, Krusha and Klump.
Each episode of the show features about two songs. These songs are surprisingly well done, considering the effort required to create two songs that fit the plot and are generally enjoyable.
Episode: "Raiders of the Lost Banana"
After Donkey Kong picks up a golden banana as a gift for his girlfriend on their anniversary, Cranky Kong warns them that the banana is cursed and will bring bad luck to Congo Bongo (the fictional land in which the show takes place). Cranky Kong explains in song that unless Donkey Kong returns the banana to Inka Dinka Doo's temple, the whole island will be cursed and there will be no bananas for Donkey Kong to eat!
The song's rhythm is surprisingly very bouncy and catchy, and the lyrics are very well done!
Episode: "Hunka Hunka Burnin' Bluster"
After Bluster Kong (the rival of Donkey Kong, who appears exclusively in this cartoon) realizes that his hair is withering away, he uses all of his hair tonic together and accidentally becomes 'Leo Luster,' a suave, gentlemanlike stud who Candy completely falls for.
His first appearance is when he stops King K. Rool from stealing the crystal coconut in song. During the song, he hypnotizes K. Rool and his henchmen to easily gain the coconut. The song itself is very smooth and fits right in with the disco genre, which isn't surprising as Leo has a very 70s-inspired style. The lyrics are mostly Leo boasting about his greatness, which fits his character perfectly and shows he still has some Bluster left in him.
Episode: "Zero to Hero"
When Bluster Kong mishears Cranky saying he only has a week to live (Cranky was referring to his machine), Bluster decides to change his selfish ways and attempts to turn over a new leaf.
The song is about how Bluster will be known as a legend and remembered by all as an honest and kind being. It has an orchestral feel to it, which I am always for, and most of the verses are sung with a very catchy, generic funky beat behind it. Bluster's ego is at its fullest here, and the lyrics are very entertaining because of that.
Episode: "Kong For a Day"
Donkey Kong is framed for countless things by King K. Rool and eventually thrown out into the mountains as he gains a terrible reputation for doing things he didn't actually do. He expresses his frustration in a slow, partially moving song.
Donkey Kong's actor is a Broadway singer, so no doubt his singing is on point and very emotive. You really feel bad for the big ape as he is blamed for things he never did. The lyrics also support this as well as the slow beat, which is a joy to listen to.
Episode: "Bug a Boogie"
This song doesn't really fit in the episode exactly, so I won't give much context here. Skurvy is a recurring villain who is a no-good, lying, looting pirate who is extremely greedy. This song perfectly describes how despicable he is.
The very first lines describe him robbing his oblivious mother of all her expensive goods. Then he begins on how great a life of ransacking is and it is amusingly despicable. The instrumental is very Rock 'n' Roll and it fits really well. The singer is also tolerable and does a very good pirate impression.
Episode: "Hunka Hunka Burnin' Bluster"
Leo Luster returns in a reprise of the Leo Luster song. After DK and Bluster are captured by K. Rool, Donkey Kong encourages Bluster to turn into Leo Luster even without the hair tonic. Bluster turns into the man himself through his own free will.
Leo Luster then begins to sing about his charm and proves his statements when he hypnotizes Krusha to free them from exile. Not much to say since it's a reprise, but the lyrics are yet again amazingly done.
Episode: "Hooray for Holly-Kongo Bongo"
After Bluster decides to produce a movie, he is only limited to the residents of Congo Bongo, unfortunately. This means Donkey, Diddy, and Cranky sign right up! Shortly after this, Cranky celebrates by singing about how much of a hit he is going to be. Donkey and Diddy follow up with their verse about fame and fortune.
It's a great, cheerful tune and DK's voice is at its best here. It's downright angelic, and for that, it turns out to be a great song.
Episode: "Barrel, Barrel, Who's Got the Barrel?"
Bluster Kong decides to steal the coconut to get Candy's love, and he does it in song. This song is relatively short, weighing in at around 30-40 seconds, but the tension of the tune and the slow build-up to Bluster actually stealing the treasured relic is great.
Of course, Bluster's ego is very much there in the song, even saying the coconut will 'satisfy his greed.'
Episode: "Treasure Hunt"
Diddy and Funky try to convince Donkey Kong to partake in a treasure hunt for riches galore, but DK is more focused on getting Candy's love than money. The treasure rap is another upbeat song and the rap lyrics are actually done with graceful skill, especially when you compare it to other children's shows' attempts at rapping.
It's a joy to watch as DK is eventually convinced to join their crusade for treasure. It builds up excitement in the episode.
Episode: "Legend of the Crystal Coconut"
Skurvy and his crew are introduced in this Rock 'n' Roll beat. He sings about his great-grandfather's legend as a pirate and how he yearns for the crystal coconut, which he claims to be his own. But Donkey Kong has gotten there first, and Skurvy is going to score his revenge. But first, a song is in order.
The beat is, as I previously mentioned, Rock 'n' Roll and it hits the mark exactly. The instrumental is very epic and downright entertaining to listen to, and the chorus with the pirate cheering fits the character nicely.