List of calypsos with sociopolitical influences
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

This is a list of calypsos categorised by main topics. "
Calypso music Calypso is a style of Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to the mid-19th century and spread to the rest of the Caribbean Antilles and Venezuela by the mid-20th century. Its rhythms can be traced back to We ...
has been used by
Calypsonian A calypsonian,Definition of CALYPSO
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...
, calypsonians would use their music to express the daily struggles of living in Trinidad, critique racial and economic inequalities, express opinions on social order, and voice overall concerns for those living on the island. The Black lower class in particular used Calypso music to protest inequalities inflicted upon them under British rule and advocate for their rights. In response, Calypso music came to exist as a form of musical protest."


American presence in Trinidad and Tobago

*"Base (The)" (1958),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Brown Skin Gal" - "Brown Skin Girl" (1933),
King Radio Norman Span, known as King Radio, was a top Trinidadian calypsonian active in the 1930s and 1940s. He was a waterfront worker in Port of Spain when he started performing in public in 1929. Six years later he started his short-lived recording ca ...
*"Gimme Back Me Dam Kimona" (1951), Mighty Growler *"Green Fig" - "Mary, I am Tired and Disgusted" (1943), Lord Kitchener *"No Nationality" (1946),
Atilla the Hun Attila (, ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Bulgars, among others, in Central and ...
*"Roosevelt in Trinidad" - "
FDR in Trinidad "FDR in Trinidad" (also known as "Roosevelt in Trinidad") is a calypso song written by Fritz McLean and popularized by Atilla the Hun (Raymond Quevedo) to commemorate U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1936 trip to Trinidad. As part of At ...
" (1936),
Atilla the Hun Attila (, ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Bulgars, among others, in Central and ...
*"
Rum and Coca-Cola "Rum and Coca-Cola" is a popular calypso song composed by Lionel Belasco with lyrics by Lord Invader. The song was copyrighted in the United States by entertainer Morey Amsterdam and was a hit in 1945 for the Andrews Sisters. History The son ...
" (1945),
Lord Invader Lord Invader (Rupert Westmore Grant; 13 December 1914 – 15 October 1961) was a prominent calypsonian with a very distinctive, gravelly voice. He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad. He became active in calypso in the mid-1930s, and was consid ...
(Previously sung by
Wilmoth Houdini Frederick Wilmoth Hendricks (November 25, 1895 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – August 6, 1973 in New York, New York), best known as Wilmoth Houdini, was a prominent calypsonian. Life In 1916 he started his career in earnest when ...
) *"Soldiers Came and Broke Up My Life (The)" (1945),
Lord Invader Lord Invader (Rupert Westmore Grant; 13 December 1914 – 15 October 1961) was a prominent calypsonian with a very distinctive, gravelly voice. He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad. He became active in calypso in the mid-1930s, and was consid ...
*"What You Doing in My Gallery" (1945),
Growling Tiger Neville Marcano (1916–13 May 1993), known as the Growling Tiger, was a Trinidadian calypsonian. Biography Born in Diego Martin, Trinidad, Tiger was originally a boxer who won the Trinidad flyweight championship in 1929.Thompson, Dave (2002), '' ...
*"We Want Back Chagaramas" (1959), Nap Hepburn *"Yankee Dollar" (1946),
Lord Invader Lord Invader (Rupert Westmore Grant; 13 December 1914 – 15 October 1961) was a prominent calypsonian with a very distinctive, gravelly voice. He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad. He became active in calypso in the mid-1930s, and was consid ...
*"Yankees Gone" - " Jean and Dinah" (1956),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Yankee’s Back" (1957),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Yankee Harvest Is Over" (1945), Lord Beginner


Aspirations / Dreams

*"Buy Me a Zeppelin" (1945), Macbeth the Great *"I Am Going to Buy a Bungalow" (1938),
Roaring Lion Roaring Lion (22 February 190811 July 1999) was a Trinidadian calypsonian (calypso singer/composer). His 65-year career began in the early 1930s and he is best known for his compositions "Ugly Woman" (1933), " Mary Ann" and "Netty, Netty", whi ...
*"I Don’t Want No Bungalow" (1938),
Atilla the Hun Attila (, ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Bulgars, among others, in Central and ...
*"I Want a Radio at Home" (1938), Black Prince *"I Want To Build a Bungalow" (1938), Codallo's Top Hatters *"I Want to Rent a Bungalow" (1938), Mighty Growler *"If I Won a Sweepstake" (1941) -
Atilla the Hun Attila (, ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Bulgars, among others, in Central and ...


Christmas period

*"Bring de Scotch for Christmas" (1966), Lord Kitchener *"Christmas Coming" (1977), Chalkdust *"Christmas Greetings" (1966), Lord Kitchener *"Christmas Is a Joyful Day" (1937), Lord Executor *"Christmas Is Yours, Christmas is mine" (1981), Lord Relator *"Christmas Morning the Rum Had Me Yawning" (1939), Lord Beginner *"Christmas Nice" (1999),
Mighty Shadow Winston McGarland Bailey OBE, HBM, DLitt (4 October 1941 – 23 October 2018), better known by his stage name The Mighty Shadow or Shadow, was a calypsonian from Tobago. Career Bailey was born in Belmont, a suburb of Port of Spain in Trinidad ...
*"Christmas Time is Near" (1961),
Lord Creator Lord Creator (born Kentrick Patrick, circa 1940, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago)Walters, Basil (2012)A New Day – Songs heralding JA’s Independence, ''Jamaica Observer'', 3 June 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012. is a calypso, R&B, ska and ro ...
*"Father Christmas" (1966), Lord Kitchener *"It’s Christmas" (2009),
Baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...
*"It’s Christmas again" (2010),
Baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...
*"Jingle Bells Calypso" (1951), Lord Kitchener *"Father Christmas" (1959), Mighty Spoiler *"Merry Christmas to You" (1961),
Lord Creator Lord Creator (born Kentrick Patrick, circa 1940, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago)Walters, Basil (2012)A New Day – Songs heralding JA’s Independence, ''Jamaica Observer'', 3 June 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012. is a calypso, R&B, ska and ro ...
*"Neighbour Oye" (2018),
Baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...
*"Oh What a Christmas" (2018),
Crazy Insanity, madness, lunacy, and craziness are behaviors performed by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity can be manifest as violations of societal norms, including a person or persons becoming a danger to themselves or t ...
*"Paint Brush (De)" (1993), Kenny J. *"Paramin" (2008), Singing Sandra *"Parang Soca" (1979),
Crazy Insanity, madness, lunacy, and craziness are behaviors performed by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity can be manifest as violations of societal norms, including a person or persons becoming a danger to themselves or t ...
*"Party for Santa Claus (A)" (1973), Lord Nelson *"Santa" - "Miss Santa" (1961), King Solomon *"Something Salt" (1977), Chalkdust


Corruption / Criminality

*"Ah Digging Horrors" (1974),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Ah Doh Rhyme" (2005), Chalkdust *"Ah Feeling Shame" (2009), Cro Cro *"Ah Not in Dat" (2009), Chalkdust *"Angry Land" (2017),
Gypsy The Romani (also spelled Romany or Rromani , ), colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants. They live in Europe and Anatolia, and have diaspora populations located worldwide, with sign ...
*"Apology (The)" - "No Apology" (1995), Cro Cro *"Archie Boulay" (1938),
Atilla the Hun Attila (, ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Bulgars, among others, in Central and ...
(Patois) *"Baboo Lala" (1938),
Roaring Lion Roaring Lion (22 February 190811 July 1999) was a Trinidadian calypsonian (calypso singer/composer). His 65-year career began in the early 1930s and he is best known for his compositions "Ugly Woman" (1933), " Mary Ann" and "Netty, Netty", whi ...
*"Bandit Factory (The)" (2006), Chalkdust *"Bernard" (1974), Chalkdust *"Black Man Killing Black Man" (1993),
Black Stalin Leroy Calliste (24 September 1941 – 28 December 2022), better known as Black Stalin, was a leading calypsonian from Trinidad and Tobago known for his lyrics against European colonial oppression. He won the Calypso Monarch competition on fiv ...
*"Caught in the Whirlwind" (2017), Karene Asche *"Cleansing Fire" (2017), Singing Sandra *"Collateral Damage" (2004), Kizzie Ruiz **"Congo Bara (Prisonier levez)" - "Kongo Bara (Pwizonnyé Lévé)" (1935), Keskidee Trio (Patois) *"Corporal Punishment" (1947),
Atilla the Hun Attila (, ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Bulgars, among others, in Central and ...
*"Corruption in Common Entrance" (1988), Cro Cro *"Dis Place Is Nice" (1975), Brother Valentino *"Dole Chadee Say" (2000), Cro Cro *"Equal Justice" (2006), Singing Sandra *"Every Shadow" (1985), Scrunter *"Family Size Coke" (1950),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"For Whom the Bell Tolls" (2003), Singing Sandra *"Good Citizen" (1992),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Ground Zero" (2002), Singing Sandra *"Gumbo Lai Lai" - "Gumbo Li Li" (1928),
Lionel Belasco Lionel Belasco Maracaibo (Venezuela) 1881 – ) was a prominent Venezuelan pianist, composer and bandleader, best known for his calypso recordings. Biography According to various sources, Belasco was born in Maracaibo (Venezuela), the son of ...
*"Hell’s Yard and George Street Conflict" (1936),
Growling Tiger Neville Marcano (1916–13 May 1993), known as the Growling Tiger, was a Trinidadian calypsonian. Biography Born in Diego Martin, Trinidad, Tiger was originally a boxer who won the Trinidad flyweight championship in 1929.Thompson, Dave (2002), '' ...
*"High Cost of Living" (1957),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Hills Thrills (The)" (2015), Shirlane Hendrickson *"Hunt is On (The)" (2012), Duane O’Connor *"Jail Dem" (2002), Cro Cro *"Jail Them" (2002), Bally *"Jericho" (1978), Lord Kitchener *"Justice" (2020), Kurt Allen *"Kamla the Greatest" (2011),
Crazy Insanity, madness, lunacy, and craziness are behaviors performed by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity can be manifest as violations of societal norms, including a person or persons becoming a danger to themselves or t ...
*"Law Is an Ass (The)" (1979), Short Pants *"Licensed Forearm" (1994), Luta *"Lip Service" (2017), Rondell Donawa *"Look How Trinbago Gone" (2013), All Rounder *"Mirror Mirror" (2005), Skatie *"Money Eh No Problem" (1978),
Lord Shorty Ras Shorty I (6 October 1941 – 12 July 2000), born Garfield Blackman and also known as Lord Shorty, was a Trinidadian calypsonian and soca musician, known as the Father of Soca and The Love Man. Biography He was born Garfield Blackman in ...
*"Money is King" (1935),
Growling Tiger Neville Marcano (1916–13 May 1993), known as the Growling Tiger, was a Trinidadian calypsonian. Biography Born in Diego Martin, Trinidad, Tiger was originally a boxer who won the Trinidad flyweight championship in 1929.Thompson, Dave (2002), '' ...
*"Murder Frenzy" (2020), Chalkdust *"Nature’s Plan" (1984), Johnny King *"Not de Land" (2013), Sugar Aloes *"One Day Without a Murder" (2020), Singing Sandra *"One to Hang" (1973), Lord Kitchener *"Peace Seeker" (2015), Sean Daniel *"Peddlers" (1958),
Lord Melody Lord Melody (1926 – 26 September 1988)Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', backbeat Books, , p.154-155 was a popular Trinidadian calypsonian, best known for singles such as " Boo Boo Man", "Creature From The Black Lagoon", "S ...
*"Pirates of Paria" - "Pirates in the Gulf of Paria" (1951), Lord Kitchener *"Police Get More Pay" (1959),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Race Track Scandal" (1955),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Run the Gunslingers" (1959), Lord Caruso *"Savage" (1987), Carl & Carol Jacobs *"Scape Fox (The)" (1987), Chalkdust *"Seven Skeletons Found in the Yard" (1938), Lord Executor *"Shortcut Society" (2001), Chalkdust *"
Sly Mongoose ''Sly Mongoose'' is the third science fiction novel of Caribbean writer Tobias S. Buckell. The novel is a standalone but is set in the same universe as Buckell's novels '' Crystal Rain'' and ''Ragamuffin Ragamuffin or Raggamuffin may refer t ...
" (1946),
Lord Invader Lord Invader (Rupert Westmore Grant; 13 December 1914 – 15 October 1961) was a prominent calypsonian with a very distinctive, gravelly voice. He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad. He became active in calypso in the mid-1930s, and was consid ...
*"Stanley Abbott" (1974), Lord Kitchener *"Staying Alive" (1987),
Black Stalin Leroy Calliste (24 September 1941 – 28 December 2022), better known as Black Stalin, was a leading calypsonian from Trinidad and Tobago known for his lyrics against European colonial oppression. He won the Calypso Monarch competition on fiv ...
*"Take the Number" (1979), Scrunter *"Take Over" (2019), Heather MacIntosh *"Tell the Authorities" (2007), Twiggy *"Ten Feet Ah Rope" (2003), Heather McIntosh *"Ten to One Is Murder" (1957),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Treasury Scandal" (1937),
Atilla the Hun Attila (, ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Bulgars, among others, in Central and ...
*"Twenty Years n' Twenty Strokes" (1989), Chalkdust *"We Living in Jail" (1984), Penguin *"Western Rodeo" (2002),
Gypsy The Romani (also spelled Romany or Rromani , ), colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants. They live in Europe and Anatolia, and have diaspora populations located worldwide, with sign ...
*"Who Is in Charge" (1995), Sugar Aloes *"Who to Call" (2019), Brian London *"Witness" (2001),
Brother Resistance Lutalo Masimba (24 October 1954 – 13 July 2021), born Roy Lewis and known professionally as Brother Resistance, was a rhythm poet and musician from Trinidad and Tobago. He died on 13 July 2021, after being diagnosed with cancer. Background an ...
*"Year for Love" (2018), Voice


Culture - Calypso / Carnival evolution

*"A Calypsonian" (2010), Brian London *"Ah Put on My Guns Again" (1976), Chalkdust *"Ancient Rhythm" (2003), Singing Sandra *"Banning of Records (The)" (1938),
Atilla the Hun Attila (, ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Bulgars, among others, in Central and ...
*"Bomber’s Dream" (1964),
Mighty Bomber Clifton Ryan (30 January 1928 – 1 January 2022), better known as the Mighty Bomber, was a Grenadian-born calypsonian from Trinidad and Tobago. The name "The Mighty Bomber" was also used in the 1940s by Trinidadian Calypsonian Kenny Cooper. ...
*"Brass Crown" (1957), Lord Superior *"Calypso Cricket" (1988), Chalkdust *"Calypso Music" (1987),
David Rudder David Michael Rudder OCC (born 6 May 1953) is a Trinidadian calypsonian, known to be one of the most successful calypsonians of all time. He performed as lead singer for the brass band Charlie's Roots. Nine years later, Rudder stepped outside t ...
*"Calypso Rising" (1992),
David Rudder David Michael Rudder OCC (born 6 May 1953) is a Trinidadian calypsonian, known to be one of the most successful calypsonians of all time. He performed as lead singer for the brass band Charlie's Roots. Nine years later, Rudder stepped outside t ...
*"Calypso War" (1958), Mighty Terror *"Can’t Buy Extempo" - "Yuh Cyar Buy One" (2009), Contender *"Caribbean Spirit" (1988),
Gypsy The Romani (also spelled Romany or Rromani , ), colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants. They live in Europe and Anatolia, and have diaspora populations located worldwide, with sign ...
*"Carnival Boycott" (1957),
Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...
*"Carnival Road March" (1951), Lord Kitchener *"Carnival Is the Answer" (1989), Chalkdust *"Category My Donkey" (2004), Devon Seale *"Censoring of Calypso Makes Us Glad (The)" (1938), Lord Executor *"Chalkie the Mailman" (2006), Chalkdust *"Chalkie the Teacher" (1976), Chalkdust *"Champions" (2018), Turner *"Chutney Soca" - "Chatnee Soca" (1987), Drupatee *"Cultural Controversy" - "Carnival Controversy" (1987), Singing Francine *"Culture" (1988), Tambu *"D’Blueprint" (2012), Mistah Shak *"Dat Soca Boat" (1979),
Mighty Shadow Winston McGarland Bailey OBE, HBM, DLitt (4 October 1941 – 23 October 2018), better known by his stage name The Mighty Shadow or Shadow, was a calypsonian from Tobago. Career Bailey was born in Belmont, a suburb of Port of Spain in Trinidad ...
*"Dem Judges" (2006), Brother Mutada *"Don’t Destroy Calypso Music" (1995),
The Mighty Duke Kelvin Pope, better known as The Mighty Duke (1932 – 14 January 2009)
''