Papa Loves Mambo

The dance craze called the mambo was introduced to American audiences by Perez Prado and resulted in hits like “Mambo No. 5” and “Mambo Italiano”. Johnny Ray was first to record “Papa Loves Mambo” (Al Hoffman – Dick Manning – Bix Reicher) in the summer of 1954.

In late August, 1954 Perry Como recorded the definitive version of “Papa Loves Mambo” with the ever-present Mitchell Ayers Orchestra and Ray Charles Singers. The superior arrangement came from Joe Reisman. The million selling single peaked at number four on Billboard.