Thanks to Khandu for the link to that history lesson.

Wilson Pickett's "Land of 1,000 Dances" probably deserved to be the biggest hit among the many recordings of that song. Besides the Wicked One's undeniable prowess as a vocalist, it's just a great recording ~ the band is really hot and has a really "live" sound (perhaps just "live-in-the-studio," but quite exciting nevertheless).

Cannibal Garcia deserves a LOT of credit, too, for having introduced that great "nahhh-na-na-na-nahhhh." That little phrase is as critical to this song's appeal as "Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi" ~ also NOT part of the original composition and recording ~ is to "Louie Louie."