Later in 1972, American-based Atlantic Records licensed the original Manu Dibango version from French record label Fiesta, and released it as a single (with the B-side track being "Lily"). The single peaked at number 35 on the US "Billboard" Hot 100 chart in 1973; Dibango's original version of the song and a cover by Afrique were on the US "Billboard" Hot 100 chart at the same time. The song also became an international hit leading to even more cover versions by various groups around the world.