Thomas August Darnell Browder (aka August Darnell, aka Kid Creole) was born in Montreal, Canada, on 12 August 1950, the son of a French Canadian mother and a father from the Caribbean island of Dominica, but was raised in the New York City borough of the Bronx.
Darnell began his career in a band named The In-Laws with his half-brother in 1965, which disbanded so August could pursue a career as an English teacher. He obtained a masters degree, but in 1974 again formed a band with his half-brother under the name Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. They played to some initial success, reaching a gold and Top 40-charting album with their debut release, but could not match this on subsequent releases.
Darnell began producing for other artists before adopting the name Kid Creole (from the Elvis Presley film King Creole) in 1980, and forming The Coconuts, a trio of female backing vocalist/dancers, including his wife Adriana Kaegi, and a band including vibraphone player Andy Hernandez aka Coati Mundi. Cheryl Poirier joined that year as lead vocalist of the Coconuts, followed by Taryn Hagey as "Coconut #3" on background vocals in 1981. This line-up remained in place throughout the band's heyday. Hagey left the group in 1985 and was replaced by Janique Svedberg.
Their debut album was the heavily disco-influenced Off the Coast of Me, which was critically well-received but not successful commercially. The sophomore release Fresh Fruit in Foreign Places was a concept album matched with a New York Public Theatre stage production; it received rave reviews, and Darnell was recognized as a clever lyricist and astute composer, arranger and producer. The album charted briefly, and subsequently Coati Mundi's "Me No Pop I", though not originally on the album, became a Top 40 UK hit single. Their breakthrough came with 1982's Tropical Gangsters, which hit #3 in the UK and spun off three Top 10 hits with "Stool Pigeon", "Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy" and "I'm a Wonderful Thing, Baby". "Dear Addy" also made the Top 40. In the US the album was retitled Wise Guy and reached #145, and "I'm a Wonderful Thing, Baby" flirted with the R&B charts. 1983's Doppelganger was a relative commercial disappointment, despite the single "There's Something Wrong in Paradise" reaching the Top 40.
Kid Creole and the Coconuts were a spectacular live act, complete with lavish set designs with a tropical motif, wild costumes and intricate choreography by the Coconuts (provided by Kaegi). On stage they infused an energy, rhythm and playfulness in their music that drove audiences wild. Though Kid Creole never achieved mainstream success in the US, the band was hugely popular in major cities (especially its hometown NYC) and hit pop superstar status in England and Europe, where its eclecticism and sophistication were much more appreciated.
Darnell and Kaegi divorced in 1985, though she remained with the band. She and Cheryl Poirier also formed their own group, Boomerang, with Perri Lister, which released an album on the Atlantic label in 1986. Darnell continued Kid Creole and the Coconuts and in the mid to late 1980s contributed to various film soundtracks and other such projects. He appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1986 and in this period released the albums In Praise of Older Women and Other Crimes and I, Too, Have Seen the Woods, neither of which charted despite the hit "Endicott". 1990's Private Waters in the Great Divide had a hit with single "The Sex of It", a song written by Prince and recorded at Paisley Park Studios with Sheila E. It reached Top 40 in the US and UK and is to date one of his most well-known songs.
Darnell now lives in London (and occasionally Sweden and Denmark), and still tours with the Coconuts occasionally. He is currently collaborating with writer/producer Peter Schott on a Contemporary Opera, to be produced by Son Of Kong Productions.The project features vocals/guitar by former Creole band member and rising star Mark Anthony Jones.
Through 1997 to 2008 Kid Creole toured the UK whilst starring in the stage show Oh! What a Night, a disco musical produced by Random Concerts.
The Kid is currently working with Younger and Lord highOwl, from audio-visual electronica project 'Picture Book' (www.myspace.com/picturebookaregreat), on new material, due in the new year.
Endicott
Kid Creole & The Coconuts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Endicott's givin' it all he got
Endicott's job is six to nine but
Endicott's home by nine O five
Endicott helps to cook the steak
Endicott helps to wash the plates
Endicott puts the kids to bed
Endicott reads a book to them
(Why cant you be like Endicott?)
Endicott loves Tribena so
Endicott puts her on a pedestal
Endicott's wish is her command but
Endicott don't make no demands
Endicott's always back in time
Endicott's not the cheatin' kind
Endicott's full of compliment
Endicott's such a gentleman
(Why cant you be like Endicott?)
Cause I'm free
Free of any made-to-order liabilities
Thank God I'm free
Cos it's hard enough for me
to take care of me, oh-oh
Endicott's carryin' a heavy load but
Endicott never really ever moans
Endicott's not a wealthy guy but
Endicott pays the bills on time
Endicott's got ideas and plans
Endicott's what you call a real man
Endicott always will provide 'cause
Endicott is the family type
(Why cant you be like Endicott?)
Cause I'm free
Freer than a pirate on a frigate out at sea
Thank God I'm free
Driftin' all around just like a tumbleweed, oh-oh
Maybe I need someone
Someone who isn't undone
Maybe an older woman
Will tolerate me
Maybe that certain someone
Older and wiser woman
Maybe the perfect someone
To satisfy me
Endicott keeps his body clean
Endicott don't use nicotine
Endicott don't drink alcohol
Endicott use no drugs at all
Endicott don't eat any sweet
Endicott don't eat pig feet
Endicott's frame is mighty strong
Endicott make love hard and long
(Why cant you be like Endicott?)
Endicott loves Tribena so
Endicott walks her to the sto'
Endicott likes to hold her hand
Endicott's proud to be her man
Endicott stands for decency
Endicott means formality
Endicott's the epitome
Endicott stands for quality
Endicott
Endicott
Endicott
Endicott
Our love will be...
"Endicott" is a 1985 upbeat and funky song by Kid Creole & The Coconuts that tells the story of a hardworking, responsible and trustworthy man who goes by the name Endicott. The song highlights the qualities and virtues that society deems desirable in men - loving, caring, respectful, responsible, and dedicated to family. Endicott portrays an ideal man who fulfills all expectations that society sets for men. The singer of the song admits wanting to be like Endicott, but deep down, he knows he isn't that man because he is free of any societal expectations and prefers to live life on his terms.
The first verse introduces Endicott as a hardworking man who always gives his best at work. He starts work early and finishes early so he can spend time with his family by helping with household chores and taking care of his children. The chorus reiterates the singer's desire to be like Endicott, but he can't help that he's free and doesn't live a domestically driven life. The second verse details how Endicott loves and cherishes his partner Tribena, putting her on a pedestal and providing her with anything she desires. Despite all that, Endicott doesn't make any demands and remains faithful to his partner. The singer still wishes to be like Endicott, but again, his free spirit gets in the way. The final verse lists all of Endicott's healthy habits, from avoiding nicotine, alcohol and drugs, to eating healthy and exercising regularly. The singer acknowledges Endicott as a prime example of decency, formality, epitome and quality, but openly admits he can never be that man.
Overall, the song Endicott celebrates a particular view of masculinity that has long been promoted by the society- the view that men should be loving, responsible, and committed to family life. However, it also highlights that not all men conform to such expectations, and that is okay too. The song is catchy and upbeat, with fast-paced horns, and is considered one of Kid Creole & The Coconuts' greatest hits.
Line by Line Meaning
Endicott's up by 5 o'clock
Endicott wakes up early
Endicott's givin' it all he got
Endicott puts maximum effort into everything he does
Endicott's job is six to nine but
Endicott has a part-time job
Endicott's home by nine O five
Endicott returns home promptly after his job ends
Endicott helps to cook the steak
Endicott assists with cooking dinner
Endicott helps to wash the plates
Endicott helps with cleaning up after dinner
Endicott puts the kids to bed
Endicott takes care of the children's bedtime routine
Endicott reads a book to them
Endicott reads a bedtime story to the children
(Why cant you be like Endicott?)
The artist wishes their partner could be like Endicott
Endicott loves Tribena so
Endicott has strong feelings of love for Tribena
Endicott puts her on a pedestal
Endicott thinks very highly of Tribena
Endicott's wish is her command but
Endicott does anything Tribena wants
Endicott don't make no demands
Endicott doesn't ask for anything in return
Endicott's always back in time
Endicott is always punctual
Endicott's not the cheatin' kind
Endicott is loyal
Endicott's full of compliment
Endicott always has something positive to say
Endicott's such a gentleman
Endicott is polite and courteous
Cause I'm free
The singer is independent
Free of any made-to-order liabilities
The singer doesn't need to conform to societal expectations
Thank God I'm free
The artist is grateful for their freedom
Cos it's hard enough for me to take care of me, oh-oh
The artist has a hard time taking care of themselves, let alone others
Endicott's carryin' a heavy load but
Endicott has a lot of responsibilities
Endicott never really ever moans
Endicott doesn't complain
Endicott's not a wealthy guy but
Endicott doesn't have a lot of money
Endicott pays the bills on time
Endicott is financially responsible
Endicott's got ideas and plans
Endicott is creative and innovative
Endicott's what you call a real man
Endicott is seen as a model of masculinity
Endicott always will provide 'cause
Endicott takes care of the family's needs
Endicott is the family type
Endicott is devoted to their family
(Why cant you be like Endicott?)
The singer wishes their partner could be like Endicott
Freer than a pirate on a frigate out at sea
The singer is completely unrestrained
Driftin' all around just like a tumbleweed, oh-oh
The artist is aimless and directionless
Maybe I need someone
The artist is considering finding someone else
Someone who isn't undone
The artist wants someone who is emotionally stable
Maybe an older woman
The singer is open to dating an older woman
Will tolerate me
The artist thinks they are hard to deal with
Maybe that certain someone
The singer is hoping to find someone special
Older and wiser woman
The singer is looking for someone with more life experience
Maybe the perfect someone
The singer is searching for the ideal partner
To satisfy me
The artist wants to be fulfilled in a relationship
Endicott keeps his body clean
Endicott maintains good hygiene
Endicott don't use nicotine
Endicott doesn't smoke
Endicott don't drink alcohol
Endicott doesn't drink
Endicott use no drugs at all
Endicott doesn't use drugs
Endicott don't eat any sweet
Endicott avoids eating sugary foods
Endicott don't eat pig feet
Endicott doesn't eat pork feet
Endicott's frame is mighty strong
Endicott is physically fit
Endicott make love hard and long
Endicott is good at having sex
Endicott walks her to the sto'
Endicott escorts Tribena to the store
Endicott likes to hold her hand
Endicott enjoys physical contact with Tribena
Endicott's proud to be her man
Endicott is happy to be in a relationship with Tribena
Endicott stands for decency
Endicott values morality
Endicott means formality
Endicott is formal and traditional
Endicott's the epitome
Endicott is the perfect example
Endicott stands for quality
Endicott values high standards
Endicott
Repeated mention of Endicott throughout the song
Our love will be...
The song ends abruptly without concluding the sentence
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: August Darnell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MaximGhost
Endicott don't dig 240p. Endicott wants HDTV.
@wmarkdyer
+MaximGhost Been waiting for a higher quality version for years. :)
@f0rmaggi0
+MaximGhost Endicott is a blurry mess. Endicott don't like VHS.
@MaximGhost
f0rmaggi0 hahaha .. good one.
@HCIKFS1
Yes! This vid deserves it!!
@zebipbamboom6982
Endicott's not like other guys. Endicott's blurry and hurts my eyes.
@hibob418
Saw this video once (ONCE) at 3am on a late Saturday night on MTV, and not again for another 30 friggin' years. Thank you YouTube.
@ronantopolski48
Same. Saw this once late night 20 years ago and just randomly remembered it lol
@99red_
That’s amazing
@Innes421
Same! Late night at 3am on MTV. I tried looking it up for years and couldn’t find it. I thought maybe I just dreamt it up.