It was first released as a single by Kabaka and fellow Kenyan musician George Agade in 1966 through Equator Records.

[1][2] However, the song is better known for the version by British group the Tremeloes, who kept the original chorus and added English verses, with it becoming a top-twenty hit in the UK in May 1968.

[4] Despite being credited on the Tremeloes version, Kabaka claimed he never received mechanical copyright money for having written the song.

[6] However, elsewhere, it has been claimed that Kabaka received a "substantial licensing fee", which he shared with his producer and Equator owner Charles Worrod.

[9] Cash Box wrote "a steadily churning island rhythm, a Calypso-like lyric and delivery and a sprinkling of good hard rock are the prime ingredients of this latest Tremeloes concoction".