Ball began his career in the 1950s as sideman in bands before forming his own Trad jazz band in 1958. Ball and his band enjoyed the longest unbroken success for bands of their generation, with their hits like "Samantha" and "Midnight in Moscow" remaining popular in dixieland and trumpet circles. Ball's status rivals contemporaries Acker Bilk and Chris Barber. In March of 1962 Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen reached #2 on the US Billboard charts, with "Midnight in Moscow".
Ball continued to tour in the 2000s and charted no fewer than 14 Top 30 hit singles in the UK alone, the most by any jazz artist.
The line-up changed greatly over the years, but the following personnel were in situ when the musical ensemble was at its commercial peak:
Kenny Ball (trumpet)
John Bennett (trombone), still in the line-up at the time of Ball's death
Dave Jones (clarinet)
Ron Weatherburn (piano)
Paddy Lightfoot (banjo)
Ron Bowden (drums)
Vic Pitt (bass, bass guitar)
Hawaiian War Chant
Kenny Ball Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That was started by a native down in Waikiki
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
And they'd play his gay Hawaiian chant
Soon the other little natives started singin' it
And the hula hula maidens started swingin' it
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
Funny little gay Hawaiian Chant
Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
If you wander into any cabaret
You will hear this gay Hawaiian Chant
The lyrics of Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen's song "Hawaiian War Chant" describe the origins of a cheerful and upbeat melody that started in Waikiki, Hawaii. The song was first sung by a native who would gather a crowd down by the sea, and soon after, other natives started to sing it and hula hula maidens started to swing to it. The melody quickly caught on, spreading beyond Hawaii to become a popular tune in cabarets and nightclubs across the United States. The song’s playful nature and upbeat melody convey a sense of joy and fun, evoking images of the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and the music that is an integral part of its culture.
The lyrics also mention a phrase that adds to the authentic Hawaiian feel of the song – "Ow way tah tualan, me big bad fightin' man." This phrase is actually a mispronunciation of the Hawaiian phrase "Aua lā, mea ho'okipa nui e" which means "No, I am a very hospitable person." This phrase, along with the rest of the lyrics, contributes to the whimsical and lighthearted nature of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a sunny little funny little melody
There is a pleasant, amusing tune that is easy to hum
That was started by a native down in Waikiki
It originated from a local person in Waikiki
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
He would attract listeners next to the ocean
And they'd play his gay Hawaiian chant
The crowd would join in singing his enjoyable Hawaiian tune
Soon the other little natives started singin' it
Other locals began singing it as well
And the hula hula maidens started swingin' it
Even the hula dancers started dancing to it
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
Its popularity spread quickly like a sudden, powerful storm
Funny little gay Hawaiian Chant
A humorous and lively Hawaiian melody
Ow way tah tualan Me big bad fightin' man
A nonsense phrase that sounds like a battle cry
Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
Although its origin lies in an island in Hawaii
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
It is equally well-liked in places like Tennessee or Iowa
If you wander into any cabaret
If you visit any nightlife venue
You will hear this gay Hawaiian Chant
You are likely to hear this lively Hawaiian melody
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: JOHNNY NOBLE, RALPH FREED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind