Iko Iko
Cyndi Lauper Lyrics

The lyrics of Cyndi Lauper’s “Iko Iko” depict a friendly rivalry between grandmothers and flag boys, all while celebrating the joyous spirit of Mardi Gras. The first verse describes two grandmothers sitting by a fire, with the singer’s grandmother boasting that she will "set your flag on fire," which might refer to a ceremonial flag used in Mardi Gras parades. The chorus of “Hey now! Hey now! I-ko, I-ko, un-day” is a traditional chant with its origins in African-American Creole. “Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, jock-a-mo fee na-né” is a Creole phrase that is believed to be a tribute to the Mardi Gras Indian Chiefs. The second verse sees the singer pointing out a man dressed in red and challenges anyone to bet five dollars that he will “kill you dead,” which is likely another reference to the Mardi Gras tradition of mock threatening behavior. The third verse mentions the flag boys sitting next to the fire and one flag boy threatens to set the other’s flag on fire.

The fourth verse describes a man dressed in green who is described as “not a man, but a loving machine”, which most likely refers to a man who is very attractive to women. The chorus repeats itself again, and the phrase “jock-a-mo fee na-né” is repeated several times. The phrase is believed to be a combination of various Mardi Gras Indian chants and is meant to be a playful, upbeat chorus meant for dancing and having fun. Overall, the lyrics of “Iko Iko” represent the festive, lighthearted spirit of New Orleans during Mardi Gras.