Dibango’s Afro-funk saxophone track became known for its distinctive chorus: “Mama ko, mama sa, mako makossa.” Jackson’s sampling further popularized the phrase. His version, however, changed the lyrics slightly, to “ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa.” It isn’t entirely clear why he made this change, but it may have simply been
Mamasai Mamakusa was the purported name of the depicted woman, and was also easily recognizable as a lyric of sorts from the Michael Jackson song “Wanna Be Startin’ Something”: [Outro] Help me sing it. Mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa. Mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa. Help me sing it babe. Mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa. Mama-say, mama-sa Hey soul makossa. Koma-koma-koma-koma-koma-koma-koma-koma-koma. Tunga debo ombo e tunga nailso makossa. Anaamoona sisi aooo yasal makossa. Amona yeayea amona yeayea coma saou makossa. Tunga tunga