His studio remains one of the most popular in all the Caribbean. He continues to record and tour with his band, and they have become well known for including covers of popular tunes of top Caribbean performers, recently performing with Kevin Lyttle at the Cricket World Cup 2007 opening ceremony.
Give Me Soca
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New York City
An get ah invitation to dis Asian party
The tassa drum, was beating wrong, at
Dis party
When we lil chick from Trinidad, show
Everybody including me, when she tell dem.
Jus give me soca, I want my soca
Soca Mayaro, soca my sparrow, soca
My Kitchy and Bajan Gaby
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Just give me soca, I want my soca
Just give me soca, I love my soca.
Dis Indian gyal, from Trinidad, cause
Ah big uproar
** on the tassa drum won't beat it no more
The party host, shout till he get hoarse,
Asking what is dis, why is dis, why is dis?
She wait ah while, then she reply... don't
Ask stupidness, don't be stupid
Then she tell dem...
Give me soca, I want my soca,
Jus give me soca, I love my soca
Soca Mayaro, soca my sparrow, soca
My Kitchy and Bajan Gaby
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Just give me soca, I want my soca
Just give me soca, I love my soca.
The lyrics of "Give Me Soca" by Byron Lee & The Dragonaires tell the story of an Indian girl from Trinidad who attends a party in New York City. The party features the traditional tassa drum, but it is being played incorrectly, causing a commotion among the guests. When asked about the situation, the Trinidadian girl confidently asks for soca music instead. She lists some of her favorite soca musicians, including Lord Kitchener, Mighty Sparrow, and Bajan Gaby, and insists on the power and necessity of the music for her and the entire Caribbean community.
As a genre, soca emerged in Trinidad in the 1970s as a fusion of calypso, soul, funk, and Indian rhythms, among other influences. Soca music became especially popular during Carnival season, a time of revelry and celebration leading up to Lent. "Give Me Soca" was released in 1985 and became an instant hit, solidifying Byron Lee & The Dragonaires' status as one of the most influential bands in the soca scene. The song's catchy chorus and rhythmic beat have made it a staple at Caribbean parties to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
An Indian gyal, from Trinidad, gone
New York City
An Indian girl from Trinidad goes to New York City.
An get ah invitation to dis Asian party
The tassa drum, was beating wrong, at
Dis party
When we lil chick from Trinidad, show
Everybody including me, when she tell dem.
She gets invited to an Asian party where the tassa drum was not being played correctly. Then the girl from Trinidad arrives and shows everyone how it's supposed to be done.
Give me soca, I love my soca,
Jus give me soca, I want my soca
Soca Mayaro, soca my sparrow, soca
My Kitchy and Bajan Gaby
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Just give me soca, I want my soca
Just give me soca, I love my soca.
She asks for soca music, which is her favorite. She mentions specific sub-genres and artists and repeats her desire for the music.
Dis Indian gyal, from Trinidad, cause
Ah big uproar
** on the tassa drum won't beat it no more
The party host, shout till he get hoarse,
Asking what is dis, why is dis, why is dis?
She wait ah while, then she reply... don't
Ask stupidness, don't be stupid
Then she tell dem...
The Indian girl from Trinidad causes a big problem because the tassa drum won't be used the traditional way anymore. The party host yells and asks questions to which the girl replies not to ask stupid questions. She then repeats her request for soca music.
Contributed by Zachary N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MarlonMuzic
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires - Give Me Soca - Lyrics
An Indian gyal, from Trinidad, gone
New York City
An get ah invitation to dis Asian party
The tassa drum, was beating wrong, at
Dis party
When we lil chick from Trinidad, shock
Everybody including me, when she tell dem.
Give me soca, I love my soca,
Jus give me soca, I want my soca
Soca Mayaro, soca my sparrow, soca
My Kitchy and Bajan Gaby
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Just give me soca, I want my soca
Just give me soca, I love my soca.
Dis Indian gyal, from Trinidad, cause
Ah big uproar
** on the tassa drum won't beat it no more
The party host, shout till he get hoarse,
Asking what is dis, why is dis, why is dis?
She wait ah while, then she reply....don't
Ask stupidness, don't be stupid
Then she tell dem...
Give me soca, I want my soca,
Jus give me soca, I love my soca
Soca Mayaro, soca my sparrow, soca
My Kitchy and Bajan Gaby
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Badabadababadabadaba-badapbada
Just give me soca, I want my soca
Just give me soca, I love my soca.
@Musicaccountsrn
Big thanks to my dad for introducing this music back in the daysss 🎉🥳❤️❤️❤️❤️
@daver8895
Classic. When music was an art. ❤
@indonev123
This song cannot be played out. #classic
@StarGyrl
I LOVE this song, it never gets old.
@abomu5353
...that bass guitar! Too good!
@claesnordstrom8152
This is deh real soca jam! 👏🙏
@pedrosierra9708
Fetival de musica del caribe......tenia como 8 años y me llevaban en hombros mis tios....todavia recuerdo estas canciones.....
@dr.patrickijewere6855
Yes, recall many a family parties, home parties in Wash DC. Byron Lee and the Dragonaires always a central feature. Miss those times, lovely range
@vanessabrown6959
Listening to this in Florence South Carolina
@christiaanjoe
My dearest grandpa's music :)