Sparrow's roots are in Gran Roi, a rural fishing village in Grenada. He was born to a poor working class family. They migrated to his adopted homeland, Trinidad, when he was just one year old. He attended the New Town Boys School where he was selected to sing in the boys. choir of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. This was his initial involvement in music. The harmonics of the Gregorian Chants and the Plainsongs of the church that were embedded in him would later affect the depth and intensity of his compositions. His vocal abilities also reflect his childhood role as the head choirboy who sang baritone and tenor in Latin in the church.
Other influences included listening to American street quartets, pop tunes by Nat King Cole and Frankie Laine, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstein, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald with their jazz contributions, and the early calypsoes of Lord Melody, Lord Kitchener, Lord Christo, Lord Invader (of Rum and Coca Cola fame) and the Mighty Spoiler, to name a few.
At the tender age of 20, Sparrow emerged, as the leading Calypsonian with his record-breaking hit, Jean and Dinah. (Yankees Gone, 1956 covered by Harry Belafonte). Throughout the years he managed to showcase his diversity each year with the release of at least one album dating from the catchy Jean and Dinah. in 1956 to Carnival Boycott (1957, a song responsible for the many changes and improvement for mass men, calypsonians and steelband men). This song was eventually responsible for the formation of the Carnival Development Committee. An organization to assist calypsonians, steelband men and mas men. This committee was fully endorsed by the Founding Father of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams.
In 1958 he became the only calypsonian to have had a triple win, in the same year, in the Road March Competition. The calypsoes were P.A.Y.E. (Pay As You Earn, a song that enabled the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, to understand the importance of paying taxes). Russian Satellite (a song reflecting on the act of cruelty to animals) and Theresa (a number where, for the first time in his career, he utilized other languages). In an unprecedented move, he was awarded a cash prize by the Carnival Development Committee, for winning the Road March Competition that year.
In 1959 he released Federation, (a song that reflected his disappointment over the breaking up of the proposed Caribbean Federation). In 1960 his career continued to soar with the melodious May May and Leave the damn Doctor, Royal Jail and Ten to one is Murder followed in 1961. In 1962 he presented us with Sparrow Come Back Home and Model Nation. Dan is the Man in the Van came in 1963 and the Village Ram in 1964.
In 1965 we experienced Congo Man. In that same year Sparrow proved himself a balladeer with his remake of Arthur Prysock's original, Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart accompanied by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. This rendition won him a Gold Record in Holland. He also recorded Frank Sinatra's My Way and Lucho Gatica's "El Reloj".
In 1966, He won the Road March Competition again with Melda and 1967 he advised the youth on the importance of Education. Mr. Walker was his hit in 1968, he won the Road March Competition again in 1969 with Sa Sa Yea and in 1970 he appealed to the people of this world to Love one Another and Lend A Hand. These songs appealed to the country for unity "Unity somehow if Trinidad ever needed you is now".
In 1971 Good Citizen followed and in 1972 he won the Calypso Monarch and Road March Competitions with Drunk and Disorderly. No Kind of Man at all was released in 1973 and We Pass That Stage (a strong social commentary in 1974. In 1975 he gave us a psychological analysis, showing where the rich is envious of the poor with Neurosis of the Rich. The Mayor of Detroit, Coleman Young, also presented him with the keys to the city.
In 1976 we got the humorous Salt Fish, and in 1977 he lead the Caribbean with a tribute to Hasley Crawford, the Olympic Gold Medallist. In the same year, during FESTAC, in Nigeria, Sparrow received the honorary title of Chief of the Yorubas, (which is Chief Omo Wale of Ikoyi).
In 1978 he paid tribute to Penny Commissiong (the first black Miss Universe) with The First Black Miss Universe, and chided Idi Amin Dada, tyrant in Africa. Kerry Packer (a song about the cricket revolution) followed in 1979 and in 1980 the Shah of Iran (Wanted Dead or Alive ). This number was covered by the popular American group, Manhattan Transfer.
Sparrow continued to climb the ladder of success while becoming the most popular caypsonian of all time. He demonstrated year after year, with his social commentaries that the calypsonian is really the eyes and ears of the people. In 1981 he registered his social/political Commentaries. We Like It So and his first chutney contribution Sexy Marajhin another liguistic inclusion. In 1982 he gave us Human Rights and in 1983 another powerful, State of the Union address Capitalism Gone Mad. He added another Road March title to his record in 1984 with Doh Back Back and in 1985 he demonstrated to the youth in the business that he can step up to another level when necessary with Soca Pressure.
Around this same time, Mayor Ed Koch of New York proclaimed March 18th, The Mighty Sparrow Day. He dealt with another evil of society in 1986 advising the vulnerable that Coke Is Not It. In 1987 he thrilled the world with another classic, the humorous Lying Excuses. He made another appearance in Nigeria, this time as Chief Omo Wale of Ikoyi, during his National Tour of Afirca and upon his return he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree, Doctor of Letters, from the University of the West Indies. Hence, the reason for Dr. Bird his chronicling of the event at the University of the West Indies, (using humor again as he always does She had a headache and this Dr. Bird performed a myomectamy on her) in 1988.
Manjhay, and Dutch Romance (which gave us a touch of French and Dutch languages) in 1989. In 1990 he gave us Let the Music Play and was inducted into the SUNSHINE Awards Calypso and Steelband Music Hall of Fame on June 24th. That same day the Brooklyn Borough President, Howard Golder proclaimed the day The Mighty Sparrow Day. Another strong social commentary, We Could Make It Easy If We Try and Precious a dedication to his daughter followed in 1991.
Sparrow continued to define the true meaning of "The Calypso King of the World. In 1992 with Both of Them, Crown Heights Justice and Man will Survive. All making a big impact in the Caribbean and the United States.
In 1993 he sang Put On Your Dancing Shoes and More the Merrier and in 1994 told the youth on his heels that Age Is Just A Number and Salvation, underscoring his roots as a choirboy in the church. In 1995 he gave us a course in history where once again he kept the linguistic involvement Democracy In Haiti (Liberte) and a keen sense of observation with the social situation at home This Is Madness, ("Why have we cast aside intelligence and abandon common sense with unprecedented violence for which there is no known defense"). Incidentally these gems earned him third place in the Calypso Monarch Competition. He gave us OJ (the juice is loose) and the Royal Divorce in 1996 and an assortment of Soca Ballads in 1997.
This illustrious lyricist/composer/singer/comedian/entertainer is an 11 time Calypso Monarch. This includes winning the King of Kings Competition (where every monarch in the calypso world is invited to compete against the Mighty Sparrow, each time suffering total defeat at his hands) in Trinidad. He also won the Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival Road March Competition eight (8) times, second only to the Lord Kitchener, (his songs were selected and played most often by the bands in this category). Sparrow received many other University citations and awards from Governments and organizations too numerous to mention.
Now in 1998, The Mighty Sparrow, continues to rule the Calypso/Soca world with his voice, lyrics and melodies. He is demonstrating once more that he is the King. His new release, The Supreme Serenader is full of dance, humor and facts. The first track Paramaribo is not only a beautiful rendition of how he was captivated by the girls in Surinam but it also demonstrates the depth of his thoughts and his gratitude for a land of style and grace.
Santo Domingo is a track full of dance and proof positive that the King is truly global with his music. He will be embraced by the Latino communities around the world for this one. Racism is a very powerful social commentary, both lyrically and musically. In this song, Sparrow once again deals with an issue of international concern while at the same time reflecting on those who have been in the forefront of the struggle.
Willie Dead is a humorously and classically executed double entendre, so convincing that you will mourn for Willie. Another powerful and appealing social commentary is Raperman. The King assumes the role of messenger and protector of women and underscores his position with the following tracks, Born To Love, and Don't Give It Up.
The Mighty Sparrow has proved himself as the Quintessential Calypsonian, par excellence, with over seventy (70) albums to his credit. He is richly endowed with many gifts. He possesses an amazing ability not only to put into works and tempo the exploits of society, but to crown it all with showmanship and appeal. His great contribution to the artform and our lives has unraveled the mysteries of Caribbean life, leaving the professionally trained sociologist and economist befuddled.
A combination of talent, hard work and opportunity enabled Sparrow's ascendance to Calypso King of the World. He brought honor, glory and dignity to an indigenous art form that was once scorned upon by the elite of Caribbean society. He is one extraordinary entertainer who utilizes the medium he masters not just to entertain but also to edify, enlighten, and educate.
The King is currently preparing for the new millennium when he will re-enter the World Monarch and Road March Competitions for a cataclysmic encounter with his competitors.
Without doubt, as The Mighty Sparrow, The King of Kings, is the real Supreme Serenader.
Popularity Contest
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They discussing popularity
Big bacchanal in a well-known family
They discussing popularity
Three people involved as the topic go
Lord Hailes, Dr. Williams and Sparrow
It start up like sport, I don't know why they fought
But they end up in the blackguard court
The father say he want Dr. Williams
The big son say no
Lord Hailes is the only man for he
All the other men could go
Riot now start up in the place
The father get ignorant
You know the niece and the aunt
The mother and the daughter
Sparrow is the man they want
Being a big supporter of PNM
The father try to convince them
Say what you want he was solid as a rock
Pointing out the greatness of the Doc
He preach and he preach but all the while
The women watching my picture with a big big smile
Even the old grandmother, she ain't care about he
She only singing "Robbery with V"
The father say he want Dr. Williams
The big son say no
Lord Hailes is the only man for he
All the other men could go
Riot now start up in the place
The father get ignorant
Because the niece and the aunt
The mother and the daughter
Sparrow is the man they want
Wepsee mama!
Sparrow is the most popular man on the scene
We does even see him on the screen
The husband get vex and the big son start to shout:
"All you ain't know what you talking 'bout
Furthermore if all you continue so
Let Sparrow get some place for all you to go"
You know he beat the wife, all she skin in welts
Make she say she rather Lord Hailes
Oh the father say he want Dr. Williams
The big son say no
Lord Hailes is the only man for he
All the other men could go
Trouble now start out in the place
The father get ignorant
Because the niece and the aunt
The mother and the daughter
Sparrow is the man they want
Listen to meh gospel...
Well the husband take off like a jet plane through the door
To meet the Doctor at Piarco
In no time at all he was out of Port of Spain
He reach Piarco in the rain
Passing through the crowd he get a big shock
People cheering, I shaking hands with the Doc
He say "Who is that boy making himself a papee-show?"
A fellow say "Meh ain't know, but he been talking to Sparrow"
The father say he want Dr. Williams
The big son say no
Lord Hailes is the only man for he
All the other men could go
Riot break away in the place
The father get ignorant
While the niece and the aunt
The mother and the daughter
Sparrow is the man they want, yes!
The lyrics to Mighty Sparrow's song "Popularity Contest" tell a story about a wealthy, well-known family having a heated argument over who is the most popular man in Trinidadian society at the time. The father wants Dr. Williams, but the son wants Lord Hailes, while the women in the family are all enamored with Sparrow, the most popular man on the scene. As the argument continues to escalate, violence erupts, and the father beats his wife because she would rather have Lord Hailes than Dr. Williams. In the end, the husband storms off to meet Dr. Williams at the airport only to find himself greeted by a crowd of people cheering for the Doctor and shaking his hand.
The song sheds light on the power dynamics and societal values placed on popularity and how it can lead to arguments and even violence. Sparrow, being the most popular man on the scene, is desired by the women and even influences the husband's decision to storm off to meet Dr. Williams. Despite the father's efforts to convince his family of Dr. Williams' greatness, their desire for Sparrow overshadows his arguments, showing the influence of celebrity culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Big bacchanal in a well-known family
There is a commotion in a famous family
They discussing popularity
The family is discussing popularity
Three people involved as the topic go
Three people are being discussed in the topic
Lord Hailes, Dr. Williams and Sparrow
The three people being discussed are Lord Hailes, Dr. Williams and Sparrow
It start up like sport, I don't know why they fought
It started like a playful debate but eventually turned into a fight
But they end up in the blackguard court
The argument ended up in a nasty court case
The father say he want Dr. Williams
The father wants Dr. Williams
The big son say no
The elder son disagrees
Lord Hailes is the only man for he
Lord Hailes is the man he prefers
All the other men could go
He doesn't want the other men
Riot now start up in the place
A riot breaks out
The father get ignorant
The father gets enraged
You know the niece and the aunt
Even the niece and aunt are involved now
The mother and the daughter
Even the mother and daughter are involved now
Sparrow is the man they want
Everyone wants Sparrow
Being a big supporter of PNM
The father is a big supporter of the PNM party
The father try to convince them
The father tries to persuade them
Say what you want he was solid as a rock
Dr. Williams was very reliable
Pointing out the greatness of the Doc
He highlights the great qualities of Dr. Williams
He preach and he preach but all the while
He keeps preaching but other things are happening
The women watching my picture with a big big smile
The women are admiring Sparrow's picture and smiling
Even the old grandmother, she ain't care about he
Even the old grandmother is ignoring him
She only singing "Robbery with V"
She's only interested in singing a song
Wepsee mama!
An expression of surprise
Sparrow is the most popular man on the scene
Sparrow is the most popular man around
We does even see him on the screen
He is so popular that we even see him on the screen
The husband get vex and the big son start to shout:
The husband gets angry and the son starts shouting
"All you ain't know what you talking 'bout
You all don't know what you're talking about
Furthermore if all you continue so
If you keep going like this
Let Sparrow get some place for all you to go"
Sparrow could provide a venue for them to go to
You know he beat the wife, all she skin in welts
You know he beat his wife and injured her
Make she say she rather Lord Hailes
She says she'd rather be with Lord Hailes
Well the husband take off like a jet plane through the door
The husband leaves quickly like a jet plane
To meet the Doctor at Piarco
He goes to meet the Doctor at the Piarco airport
In no time at all he was out of Port of Spain
He leaves Port of Spain quickly
He reach Piarco in the rain
He reaches Piarco airport while it's raining
Passing through the crowd he get a big shock
He is surprised when he passes through the crowd
People cheering, I shaking hands with the Doc
The people are cheering and shaking hands with Dr. Williams
He say "Who is that boy making himself a papee-show?"
He asks "Who is that guy making a fool of himself?"
A fellow say "Meh ain't know, but he been talking to Sparrow"
Someone says "I don't know, but he's been talking to Sparrow"
Trouble now start out in the place
Trouble starts in the area
Because the niece and the aunt
Because the niece and aunt are involved
The mother and the daughter
Because the mother and daughter are involved
Sparrow is the man they want, yes!
Everyone still wants Sparrow
Contributed by Skyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joy A.
on Capitalism gone Mad
I hope there's a 2020 appearance in NYC!
I will definitely get tickets!
Amina Phillip
on Education Is Essential
I love your video and it is a good calypso that Ican makeone about education to
Bokaille Bodlo
on Witch Doctor
Bokaille Bodlo
Who could send me The lyrics of WITCH DOCTOR from Mighty Sparrow.
Thank you.
Bokaille Bodlo
on Witch Doctor
Who could send me The lyrics of WITCH DOCTOR from Mighty Sparrow.
Thank you.