There are multiple artists with this name - #1, a Calypso singer, songwrite… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists with this name - #1, a Calypso singer, songwriter and guitarist, and #2, an indie rock band from Chicago.
1.) Mighty Sparrow or Birdie (born Slinger Francisco, July 9, 1935, in Grandroy Bay, Grenada, West Indies) is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians. He has won Trinidad's Carnival Road March competition nine times and has been named Calypso Monarch eight times, achieving both accolades more times than any other calypsonian.
Sparrow was born in Grenada on July 9, 1935, but moved to Trinidad when he was one year old. He was first exposed to music through the choir in Catholic school, and became interested in calypso at 14 when he joined a steel band composed of neighborhood boys. He received his performing name during his early career:
Your calypso name is given to you by your peers, based on your style. In the old days they tried to emulate British royalty. There was Lord Kitchener, Lord Nelson, Duke. When I started singing, the bands were still using acoustic instruments and the singers would stand flat footed, making a point or accusing someone in the crowd with the pointing of a finger, but mostly they stood motionless. When I sing, I get excited and move around, much like James Brown, and this was new to them. The older singers said "Why don't you just sing instead of moving around like a little Sparrow." It was said as a joke, but the name stuck. -Mighty Sparrow [1]
[edit] Calypso Monarch
In 1956, Sparrow won Trinidad's Carnival Road March and Calypso Monarch competitions with his most famous song, "Jean and Dinah". His prize for the latter was $40, and in protest of the small sum, he wrote the song "Carnival Boycott" and attempted to organize other singers to boycott the competition. About half of the singers followed [2], and Sparrow claims credit for succeeding improvements in the conditions of calypso and steelband musicians in Trinidad, as well as the formation of the Carnival Development Committee, a musicians' assistance organization. [3] Sparrow refused to participate in the competition for the next three years, but he continued to perform unofficially, even winning another Road March title in 1958 with "P.A.Y.E."
[edit] Taking calypso abroad
Calypso music enjoyed a brief period of popularity in other parts in the world during the 1950's. Trinidadian expatriate Lord Kitchener had helped popularize calypso in England, and Sparrow also found some success there. In the United States, interest in calypso was sparked largely by Harry Belafonte's 1956 album Calypso, the first LP to sell over one million copies. [4] In January 1958, Sparrow, along with longtime rival Lord Melody, traveled to New York City seeking access to the American music audience. [5] Sparrow had already been recording with Balisier and Cook Records, and with Belafonte's help [6] he also began to record for RCA Victor. He did not achieve the success he had hoped for; he said in a 2001 interview, "When nothing happened for me, I went back to England and continued on with my career." [7]
In 1960 Sparrow returned to the Calypso Monarch competition, winning his second Kingship and third Road March title with "Ten to One Is Murder" (an autobiographical song about an incident in which Sparrow allegedly shot a man [8]) and "Mae Mae." He also began recording for his own label, National Recording. [9] He continued to enjoy great popularity in Trinidad throughout the 1960's.
[edit] Soca
As soca began to supplant calypso in popularity in Trinidad during the late 1970's and early 1980's, [10] Sparrow embraced the hybrid of Calypso and Local (Chutney) music. In 1984 he won his eighth Road March title with the soca-influenced "Doh Back Back." Also around this time he began to spend at least half the year in New York City, finding an apartment in the heavily West Indian neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens. [11] Sparrow continues to write, perform, and tour into the 21st century; in a 2001 interview he mentioned that he had been singing and performing a "Gospel-lypso" hybrid. [12] In 2008, he released a song supporting Barack Obama's presidential campaign, "Barack the Magnificent".[13] He also did a remake of his "Congo Man" song with fellow Trinidadian Machel Montano on the Flame on album.
[edit] Lyrics
Sparrow's lyrics are famous for being witty, ironic, and ribald. He sings flirtatiously of the attractions of Hispanic women in "Magarita," and of East Indian women in "Marajhin." He tells some outrageously frank tales of sexuality in "Mae Mae," "The Lizard" and "Big Bamboo." And there is humorous commentary on West Indian culture to be found in "Obeah Wedding" and "Witch Doctor." Robert Christgau called his controversial song "Congo Man" "a wildly perverse piss-take on African roots, interracial revenge, interracial sex, male-female relations, and cannibalism" [14]; the 1965 song was also criticized for its attitudes toward women and Africans, and was banned from radio airplay until 1989. [15]
Sparrow also frequently comments on social and political issues in his songs. During his early career he was a supporter of Eric Williams and his People's National Movement (PNM), [16] which formed in 1955 and led Trinidad and Tobago to independence in 1962; songs such as "Leave The Damn Doctor Alone" and "William the Conqueror" mentioned Williams directly, while others such as "Federation" (blaming Jamaica for the breakup of the short-lived West Indies Federation), "Our Model Nation" (celebrating Trinidadian independence), and "PAYE" (supporting the PNM's pay-as-you-earn tax system) echoed PNM positions. Sparrow did express discontent in 1957's "No, Doctor, No," but it was comparatively mild, and aimed at holding PNM politicians to their promises rather than replacing them.
In more recent times Sparrow continues to incorporate social issues into his music. "Crown Heights Justice" is a plea for peace and understanding in the wake of the 1991 Crown Heights Riot in Sparrow's adopted home of New York City. The themes of peace, tolerance, and concern for the poor show up repeatedly in songs such as "Human Rights" (1981), "Capitalism Gone Mad" (1983), and "This Is Madness" (1995).
[edit] Discography
Hot and Sweet, Warner Bros., 1974 (Produced by Van Dyke Parks)
Sparrow hits on Karaoke Cd, Islandstars Karaoke., 2005...[1]
[edit] Major Awards and Honors
Carnival Road March titles Year Song
1956 Jean and Dinah
1958 P.A.Y.E.
1960 Mae Mae
1961 Royal Jail
1966 Melda (Obeah Wedding)
1969 Sa Sa Yea
1972 Drunk And Disorderly
1984 Doh Back Back
Calypso Monarch victories Year Tune #1 Tune #2
1956 Jean and Dinah none
1960 Ten to One Is Murder Mae Mae
1962 Sparrow Come Back Home Federation
1963 Dan Is the Man (In the Van) Kennedy
1972 Drunk and Disorderly Rope
1973 School Days Same Time, Same Place
1974 We Pass That Stage Miss Mary
1992 Both of Them Survival
2.) Indie rock band from Chicago, IL
1.) Mighty Sparrow or Birdie (born Slinger Francisco, July 9, 1935, in Grandroy Bay, Grenada, West Indies) is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians. He has won Trinidad's Carnival Road March competition nine times and has been named Calypso Monarch eight times, achieving both accolades more times than any other calypsonian.
Sparrow was born in Grenada on July 9, 1935, but moved to Trinidad when he was one year old. He was first exposed to music through the choir in Catholic school, and became interested in calypso at 14 when he joined a steel band composed of neighborhood boys. He received his performing name during his early career:
Your calypso name is given to you by your peers, based on your style. In the old days they tried to emulate British royalty. There was Lord Kitchener, Lord Nelson, Duke. When I started singing, the bands were still using acoustic instruments and the singers would stand flat footed, making a point or accusing someone in the crowd with the pointing of a finger, but mostly they stood motionless. When I sing, I get excited and move around, much like James Brown, and this was new to them. The older singers said "Why don't you just sing instead of moving around like a little Sparrow." It was said as a joke, but the name stuck. -Mighty Sparrow [1]
[edit] Calypso Monarch
In 1956, Sparrow won Trinidad's Carnival Road March and Calypso Monarch competitions with his most famous song, "Jean and Dinah". His prize for the latter was $40, and in protest of the small sum, he wrote the song "Carnival Boycott" and attempted to organize other singers to boycott the competition. About half of the singers followed [2], and Sparrow claims credit for succeeding improvements in the conditions of calypso and steelband musicians in Trinidad, as well as the formation of the Carnival Development Committee, a musicians' assistance organization. [3] Sparrow refused to participate in the competition for the next three years, but he continued to perform unofficially, even winning another Road March title in 1958 with "P.A.Y.E."
[edit] Taking calypso abroad
Calypso music enjoyed a brief period of popularity in other parts in the world during the 1950's. Trinidadian expatriate Lord Kitchener had helped popularize calypso in England, and Sparrow also found some success there. In the United States, interest in calypso was sparked largely by Harry Belafonte's 1956 album Calypso, the first LP to sell over one million copies. [4] In January 1958, Sparrow, along with longtime rival Lord Melody, traveled to New York City seeking access to the American music audience. [5] Sparrow had already been recording with Balisier and Cook Records, and with Belafonte's help [6] he also began to record for RCA Victor. He did not achieve the success he had hoped for; he said in a 2001 interview, "When nothing happened for me, I went back to England and continued on with my career." [7]
In 1960 Sparrow returned to the Calypso Monarch competition, winning his second Kingship and third Road March title with "Ten to One Is Murder" (an autobiographical song about an incident in which Sparrow allegedly shot a man [8]) and "Mae Mae." He also began recording for his own label, National Recording. [9] He continued to enjoy great popularity in Trinidad throughout the 1960's.
[edit] Soca
As soca began to supplant calypso in popularity in Trinidad during the late 1970's and early 1980's, [10] Sparrow embraced the hybrid of Calypso and Local (Chutney) music. In 1984 he won his eighth Road March title with the soca-influenced "Doh Back Back." Also around this time he began to spend at least half the year in New York City, finding an apartment in the heavily West Indian neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens. [11] Sparrow continues to write, perform, and tour into the 21st century; in a 2001 interview he mentioned that he had been singing and performing a "Gospel-lypso" hybrid. [12] In 2008, he released a song supporting Barack Obama's presidential campaign, "Barack the Magnificent".[13] He also did a remake of his "Congo Man" song with fellow Trinidadian Machel Montano on the Flame on album.
[edit] Lyrics
Sparrow's lyrics are famous for being witty, ironic, and ribald. He sings flirtatiously of the attractions of Hispanic women in "Magarita," and of East Indian women in "Marajhin." He tells some outrageously frank tales of sexuality in "Mae Mae," "The Lizard" and "Big Bamboo." And there is humorous commentary on West Indian culture to be found in "Obeah Wedding" and "Witch Doctor." Robert Christgau called his controversial song "Congo Man" "a wildly perverse piss-take on African roots, interracial revenge, interracial sex, male-female relations, and cannibalism" [14]; the 1965 song was also criticized for its attitudes toward women and Africans, and was banned from radio airplay until 1989. [15]
Sparrow also frequently comments on social and political issues in his songs. During his early career he was a supporter of Eric Williams and his People's National Movement (PNM), [16] which formed in 1955 and led Trinidad and Tobago to independence in 1962; songs such as "Leave The Damn Doctor Alone" and "William the Conqueror" mentioned Williams directly, while others such as "Federation" (blaming Jamaica for the breakup of the short-lived West Indies Federation), "Our Model Nation" (celebrating Trinidadian independence), and "PAYE" (supporting the PNM's pay-as-you-earn tax system) echoed PNM positions. Sparrow did express discontent in 1957's "No, Doctor, No," but it was comparatively mild, and aimed at holding PNM politicians to their promises rather than replacing them.
In more recent times Sparrow continues to incorporate social issues into his music. "Crown Heights Justice" is a plea for peace and understanding in the wake of the 1991 Crown Heights Riot in Sparrow's adopted home of New York City. The themes of peace, tolerance, and concern for the poor show up repeatedly in songs such as "Human Rights" (1981), "Capitalism Gone Mad" (1983), and "This Is Madness" (1995).
[edit] Discography
Hot and Sweet, Warner Bros., 1974 (Produced by Van Dyke Parks)
Sparrow hits on Karaoke Cd, Islandstars Karaoke., 2005...[1]
[edit] Major Awards and Honors
Carnival Road March titles Year Song
1956 Jean and Dinah
1958 P.A.Y.E.
1960 Mae Mae
1961 Royal Jail
1966 Melda (Obeah Wedding)
1969 Sa Sa Yea
1972 Drunk And Disorderly
1984 Doh Back Back
Calypso Monarch victories Year Tune #1 Tune #2
1956 Jean and Dinah none
1960 Ten to One Is Murder Mae Mae
1962 Sparrow Come Back Home Federation
1963 Dan Is the Man (In the Van) Kennedy
1972 Drunk and Disorderly Rope
1973 School Days Same Time, Same Place
1974 We Pass That Stage Miss Mary
1992 Both of Them Survival
2.) Indie rock band from Chicago, IL
Charlie
King Sparrow Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Charlie' by these artists:
3 Minute Hero Charlie had a mission Charlie had a quest Charlie had…
6ix9ine Ray Charles, I ain't never seen a bitch I need Fuck…
Adrian Rollini and His Orchestra Swing Mister Charlie, Oh swing Mister Charlie, I don't care …
Afraz مسازم بابه مه زندگيره انديوال شبم حنسيه ده گردم نرسيد…
Alex Siegel If I had to summarize You brought something more to life Win…
Amanda Jenssen Charlie, Charlie, Charlie Where have you been? Bruises on …
Angry Johnny and the Killbillies Charlie got a chainsaw and a pickle jar of formaldehyde One…
Anita Lindblom Charlie, ooh, Charlie, mmh Charlie, Charlie är fin Hemma ri…
AnneGa Charlie's down to drink some wine All alone she doesn't know…
Bailes tristes para delincuentes Te esperaré En este lugar El sol caerá Por la ciudad ¿En dó…
Beans On Toast No Charlie, no, no, no No Charlie, no No Charlie, no, no,…
Big Pig Charlie lives in a one room apartment With a mirror on…
Bratty Se ve que te gusta presumir Cosas que no tienes Como la…
bsd.u So would you come and Dance with me My darling Forget about …
Cal Never been the one to take it, always let it…
Candy Butchers Charlie, close your weary eyes Try to sing yourself to slee…
Carach Angren Ouija, are you there? Ouija, are you there? Is there a prese…
Caravana Sun People have all these ways to use the words to…
Charli Baltimore [Vocorder] Charli, Charli Charli, Charli [Charli Baltim…
Charlie Parker Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there…
Chip Chip Chokas Én mint utcazenész a végén majd a kalapom nyújtom, …
Chumbawamba All of nature in its place By hand of the…
Cierra Ramirez Ooo, ah, (Buddha) Oh, Charlie You got me feeling so good He…
Claire Diterzi Charlie s'endort en pensant Que l'herbe est bien plus verte…
Coby Grant Charlie, will you write me a love song? Like you never…
Colin Meloy O Charlie's neat and Charlie's sweet and Charlie he's a…
Comet Gain Charlie is a lad who likes to get around It's his…
Coquí Charlie was a lovely friend of mine Until she ran away…
Crosby & Nash Charlie was a message from a higher place Waiting for delive…
Des & Dawn Lindberg I don't know if you can tell I can't fake…
Downplay I know a little man with a little sin He pays…
Dreimillionen Ich kann dich nicht mehr sehn' Du kannst mich nicht verstehn…
Emma Kupa Must have had a big heart to embrace us all, Sat…
Emma Watson Let's drive. Ow! I don't know if I will have the time…
Enzo Avitabile Sento quelle note blu Che sai fare solo tu Questa…
Everyone you know Kids on whizz, darlings on Charlie Don′t go back to him Cha…
FAMILY ROOM - Red Hot Chili Peppers Uh All aboard, stitch in time Get yours, got mine In a minu…
FIDDLER'S GREEN Charlie's neat, Charlie's sweet Charlie he's a dandy Charlie…
Gilbert Bécaud Charlie, Oh Charlie t'iras pas au paradis {2x} Tes pensées …
graves. This is who I am you cannot change me Been the…
Grupo Santa Barbara Se llamaba charlie La encontré en la calle Tendida y lloro d…
Halvdan Sivertsen En liten fyr med hatt og stokk Som unge fikk æ…
Hugh charlie oh charlie i wouldn call it love but its close enoug…
Ingrid Michaelson Charlie don't let the girls hurt your heart Don't let the…
JAY JIGGY Bipolar wie Kanye All-in-Attitude Hustle hart, no party Clo…
Jenssen Amanda Charlie, Charlie, Charlie Where have you been? Bruises on yo…
JOHN COVERT CHARLIE HARLEY CHORUS My name is CHARLIE HARLEY, I ride a b…
Keller Williams & Friends Charlie wants a cracker She might be an actor Charlie had a…
Kenneth Pattengale Charlie, I'll make a deal with you after which you can…
KÜCHE - Red Hot Chili Peppers Uh All aboard, stitch in time Get yours, got mine In a minu…
Laima Vaikule Мир смеха, мир печали Мир надежды, мир потерь Твой мир, наш …
Lana Scolaro Yeah, he is my go-to Yeah, whenever I feel blue He gets…
lo.Krain Imma tell yall the story about young charlie Lil charlie had…
Look Look I heard his name On a phone call You took on down…
Lowertown Why won′t you listen to me When I tell you the…
Ludwik Sempoliński W małym kinie podmiejskim było zawsze najpiękniej Charlie Ch…
MALFNKTION Ain't no fuckin ABBA, need no dancing queen, (man) She …
Malignus Youth Charlie Who are you? Where did you arise? Are you twisted? O…
Mallrat And I know it's bad But I just can't wait Till you…
Marc Bolan I'm walking down the highway, see this cat his name…
Marius Müller-Westernhagen Charlie Du bist ein Frauentyp Dich haben Frauen lieb Du b…
Max Prosa Charlie ist ein Straßenkind, das trotzig Weihnachtslieder si…
MERRY どいつもこいつもうんざりだ どさくさに紛れ眠いこと言うな 断頭台から提唱者 天使の涙はスカトロジー filthy ロマン…
Mighty Sparrow This morning 'bout half past four They had a big confusion…
Milla Now, be free, The sky must have fallen. When I couldn't see …
Milla Jovovich Now, be free the sky must have fallen when I couldn't see …
Miranda Cosgrove Yeah, uh huh! Yeah, uh huh! No, oh no, Charlie oh no,…
Mr. Caco Rap Battle charlie Chaplin Vs mr bean Begin! Let me break t…
N'to Hey! Go Charlie! Hey! When Charlie hears the music he shake…
No One Is Innocent Qui sommes-nous? (Charlie) Qui sommes-nous? (Charlie) Qui so…
Noir Désir Son ombre glisse et sa semelle claque Charlie caresse le tro…
Olli Banjo Soldaten seid Ihr mit mir, dann nimmt Haltung an –…
oso oso When Charlie speaks, she barely moves her mouth Gotta listen…
Peter Mulvey Tuesday morning blue clay coffee cup Mister Charlie big sou…
Phil Manzanera/Tim Finn History never repeats I tell myself before I go to sleep D…
Rabbitt Loving you is easy Such a beautiful thing to do And though…
Radamel Qué belleza es Carlos Saca esa perra de ahí El tormento…
Red Hot Chili Peppers Uh All aboard, stitch in time Get yours, got mine In a minu…
Red Hot Chili Peppers (Luzniky Stadium Moscow RU 7/22/12) All aboard, stitch in time Get yours, got mine In a minute…
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (Jupiter) Uh All aboard, stitch in time Get yours, got mine In a minu…
Red Hot Chili Peppers - [Stadium Arcadium 2006] All aboard, stitch in time Get yours, got mine In a minute…
Red Hot Chili Peppers(???) Uh All aboard, stitch in time Get yours, got mine In a minu…
Red Hot Chili Peppers(嗆辣紅椒合唱團) All aboard, stitch in time Get yours, got mine In a minute…
Roidz I saw my friend the other day They stopped me in…
Russell Crowe (Crowe) One of these streets The city of dreams Wakes antic…
Sam Tompkins You just hit the party, sip on Bacardi Do it ′til…
Saratoga Antes que Malcom y King, que Lennon En Kansas City surgió…
Sens Unik Charlie fait ce qui lui plait Charlie n′abandonne pas Charli…
Serge Reggiani Dans les yeux des enfants Chaplin, Il y a le sourire…
ShooterGang Kony Ayy, ayy That's just 1G Ayy Ayy, it's fuck the police and y…
Simi Have been trying to write you a song for years But…
Smith & Frank Charlie's enormous mouth, well, it's awright The girl got a …
Sophie Koh Wake up, Charlie, rise and shine Pour the tea, I'll draw…
Split Enz History never repeats I tell myself before I go to sleep Don…
T. Rex I'm walking down the highway, see this cat his name…
T.P. OK Jazz I'm talking to my Black Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown) Just p…
Tammy Rivera Ooh The day that God gave me an angel Just know that…
The Brodys Growing up I had a friend, his name was Charlie…
The Garden Charlie Oh, Charlie Charlie Oh, Charlie…
The Issues Hey hey hey Hey hey Well he always shows up late With that…
The Last Emperor krs-one sample: How many people in here down for... (Charlie…
The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing Lyrics: V1. Charlie, Charlie, Charlie... The doctors…
The Mighty Boosh A-Charlie come, a-Charlie come A-bubble gum Charlie! …
The Milk Carton Kids Charlie, I'll make a deal with you after which you…
The Sharks Well Charlie was a schoolboy He was only 12 years old He…
The Tontons What I love the most about him he has so…
Thomas J. Larsson Everybody's goin' away Said they're movin' to LA There's not…
Tiger Tunes You fucking thing I waste my life Waste petty cash Disrupt m…
Tim Finn & Phil Manzanera History never repeats I tell myself before I go to sleep D…
Tjuvjakt Baby ta ingenting för givet (nej, nej, nej) Din boyfriend Ha…
Tompall Glaser You gave her everything but your life Charlie But you proud…
tones and i I've been hearing voices in my head now They tell me…
Toy Dolls Charlie was a loafer, Charlie was a lout, huh But Charlie…
U.F.K. Dubstep So would you come and Dance with me My darling Forget about …
V.A. - I-Robots ま、今夜は本気でやってもらいますね。 One, two, three, four, (お願いします。) Baby Bab…
Violet Soda I know you have been talking about me but I…
Walker and Jay I'd like to be in Charlie's shoes, that's what I…
Warrior Soul In Detroit, there's a man He's in charge of the action Put…
Wonderboom No need to change the station I'm coming to you across…
We have lyrics for these tracks by King Sparrow:
Footprints What's wrong with ya babe Your head turned towards the sky O…
Guitar Chop Guitar noises lol…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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