This month, we take a look at the hottest names in Calypso over the years. Check out our favourite calypsonian hits below and then catch up on our calypso spotlight with Harry Belafonte!
Top Ten Calypso Songs of All Time
- Banana Boat Song (“Day-O”) – Harry Belafonte
- Rum and Coca Cola – Lord Invader
- Jean and Dinah – Mighty Sparrow
- Jamaica Farwell – Harry Belafonte
- Bee’s Melody – Lord Kitchener
- Fire In Me Wire – Calypso Rose
- Mary Ann – The Lion
- Dr. Kitch – Lord Kitchener
- Trinidad is My Land – Mighty Spoiler
- Boo Boo Man (Mama, Look at Bubu) – Lord Melody
In The Spotlight – Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte (born March 1, 1927), known as one of the most successful Jamaican-American pop stars in history, was dubbed the “King of Calypso” for popularizing the Caribbean musical style (originating in Trinidad & Tobago) with an international audience in the 1950s. His breakthrough album Calypso (1956) is the first million-selling LP by a single artist. Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing “The Banana Boat Song”, with its signature lyric “Day-O”. He has recorded in many genres, including blues, folk, gospel, show tunes, and American standards. He has also starred in several films, most notably in Otto Preminger’s hit musical Carmen Jones (1954), Island in the Sun (1957), and Robert Wise’s Odds Against Tomorrow (1959).
