Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) facts for kids

Harry Belafonte, Almanac, 18 February 1954

"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" is a very famous traditional Jamaican folk song. It has sounds from mento music, but many people know it as a calypso song.

This song is a type of "call and response" work song. It tells the story of dock workers who load bananas onto ships at night. The lyrics show that it's morning, their work shift is over, and they want their work counted so they can go home.

The most well-known version of the song was released by Jamaican singer Harry Belafonte in 1956. It quickly became one of his most famous songs. In the same year, a group called the Tarriers released their own version. Both songs became very popular in 1957. They both reached the top 10 on the US music charts!

How the Song Started

Early Recordings of "Day-O"

The song was first recorded by a singer from Trinidad named Edric Connor. He recorded it with his band, Edric Connor and the Caribbeans, in 1952. This early version was called "Day Dah Light."

Harry Belafonte based his popular version on Connor's recording and another one from 1954 by Louise Bennett.

Harry Belafonte's Famous Version

In 1955, American songwriters Lord Burgess and William Attaway wrote new lyrics for the song. Harry Belafonte performed this version on a TV show called The Colgate Comedy Hour.

Belafonte then recorded the song for RCA Victor. This is the version most people know today. It became a huge hit, reaching number five on the Billboard charts in 1957. It truly became Belafonte's signature song.

The Tarriers' Popular Version

Also in 1956, a folk singer named Bob Gibson visited Jamaica and heard the song. He taught his version to a folk band called the Tarriers.

The Tarriers added a part from another Jamaican folk song, "Hill and Gully Rider," to their version. This became their biggest hit! It reached number four on the pop charts, even higher than Belafonte's version.

Many other singers covered the Tarriers' version. These included the Fontane Sisters, Sarah Vaughan, Steve Lawrence, and Shirley Bassey. All of their versions also became popular hits.

Famous Versions and Covers

Many artists have recorded their own versions of "Day-O." Here are some of the most notable ones:

• In 1980, Canadian children's singer Raffi included the song on his album Baby Beluga.
• The Fontane Sisters recorded the Tarriers' version in 1956. It reached number 13 on the US charts in 1957.
• Sarah Vaughan recorded a jazzy version in 1956. It reached number 19 on the US Top 40 charts in 1957.
• Shirley Bassey recorded the Tarriers' version in 1957. It was her first song to become a hit in the U.K., reaching number 8.
• Steve Lawrence recorded the Tarriers' version in 1957. It reached number 18 on the US Top 40 charts that year.

Fun Parodies and New Lyrics

Because "Day-O" is so famous, many people have made funny versions or changed the lyrics.

• In 1957, Stan Freberg and Billy May released a funny version called "Banana Boat (Day-O)." It featured a singer and a bongo player who didn't like loud noises or spiders! This parody was very popular.
• Dutch comedian André van Duin released "Het bananenlied" (The Banana Song) in 1972. This song humorously asks why bananas are bent.
• The German band Trio made a parody in the 1980s, changing "daylight come" to "Bommerlunder" (a German drink).
• The Serbian comedy rock band the Kuguars covered the song in 1998. Their version had new lyrics in Serbian about a famous soccer player, Dejan "Dejo" Savićević. It became a big hit in their country.
• In 1994, the Turkish comedy music group Grup Vitamin made a Turkish version. It made fun of the "macho" culture in their country.
• The Swedish humor radio show Rally created a version called "Hey Mr. Taliban" between 1995 and 2002.
• Harry Belafonte's children, David and Gina, made a funny version for an Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo car commercial in 1988–89.
• A funny version of the song was used in an E-Trade commercial during the Super Bowl LII.
• Kellogg's cereal company used a parody of the song in their 2001 TV advertisement for Fruit 'n Fibre cereal.
• A department store chain called The Bon Marché used a version of the song with different lyrics in their commercials starting in 1991.
• In November 2019, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert changed the lyrics to make fun of Mike Pompeo.

Songs That Use "Day-O"

Some modern songs have used parts of "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" in their music:

• The Chilean TV show 31 minutos had a song called "Arwrarwrirwrarwro" by Bombi, which was based on "Day-O."
• Jason Derulo's song "Don't Wanna Go Home" uses a lot of the sounds from "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)."
• Lil Wayne's song "6 Foot 7 Foot" also uses parts of "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" and gets its title from the song's lyrics.

See also

In Spanish: Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) para niños