In 1996, Shurwayne joined the band "TROBBLE", but the band was short lived. Upon its demise, he was asked to join "INXS". One year later, Shurwayne auditioned for Spectakula, one of the largest "Calypso Tents" for Carnival. Spectakula's management felt that he would be better showcased as a front line singer for a soca band, and recommended him to Andy Joseph, bandleader of "Traffik".
His first recording was made in 1998, with the tracks "Leave it in" and "Soca Baby" with Traffik. His voice caught the attention of record producer Devon George. Then he recorded "Get out of my dreams" written to Marlon "Socket" Clarke. The song, released in December 1998, remained in rotation for two years until July 2000 a rarity in the Soca genre!
1999 saw Shurwayne back in competition this time, the sweet voiced singer entered the Soca Monarch Stakes. His performance garnered rave reviews and was deemed "Most Dynamic" by the press. Shurwayne became the heartthrob of soca, both locally and internationally among West Indian markets. In My, he recorded a remix of "Quelvis" by and with King Wellington for the album "Rumour Riddims". His overdub is credited with sending the song to the top of the charts within one week. This song remained on the charts for seven months. Shurwayne has five additional tracks written by him on the album.
His 1999/2000 releases "Avanelle", "Wine Down" and "Who Say" which were also written by him exceeded his previous successes. Released in November 1999 "Wine Down" stayed on the charts until mid August 2000, while his up-tempo "Who-Say" released in December 1999, climbed the charts quickly and remained a hit through October 2000.
On October 21, 2000 Shurwayne was awarded "Best New Artist" and "Male Vocalist of the Year" at the Sunshine Music Awards, New York. In late October he released "Why yuh blaming me?" which hit the charts the following week. In November he released "Jouvay Jump Up" which followed the same path, and "You Make Me Wanna" (a.k.a. So Hot) this became an instant favorite. "Release the Beast" and his challenge tune "Revenge" joined the others on the charts in January. "You make me." Stayed on the charts thru August 2001. These five songs were all written by Shurwayne.
His first solo album "Under My Spell" was released in January 2002. Two cuts from the album "Splash" and "Doctor on Call" were also hits for Carnival 2002. The first release for Carnival 2003 was "Baby Love". It took off immediately, and became of the requested songs for the ladies. "Masqueraders" was the second release, and was a contender for Road March. Shortly thereafter a third song "Front" was released. It took the airwaves by storm, and was the most requested song by Shurwayne. Both men and women showed their love for the melody and lyrical structure, which again took him to the finals of the Soca Monarch. He collaborated with Chinese Laundry and Ricky Jai on his composition "Rags Don't Care", a fast nation building and unity song, which was respected by both artistes and fans alike. "Powder" was his J'ouvert contribution and hit the charts on West Indian radio stations in North America.
In 2004 he released his second album titled "Press Play" featuring his 2004 Road March song "The Band Coming". Shurwayne walked away with three awards at the Annual Soca Awards held in New York in August 2004. He won the award for Best New Soca Collaboration of the year for the song "Come Beta" with Destra Garcia. Shurwayne also won the award for Favorite Up-Tempo of the Year-Male and Soca Vocalist of the Year.
Shurwayne did it again in 2005, winning the Road March title two years in a row with his infectious track "Dead or Alive". This song was off his 2005 offering "Give Thanks" his most intimate album to date. The sixteen track album boasts one hundred percent new material and also features a host of collaborations including "Jammin All Night" with Traffik band mate Candi Hoyte, "Don't Waste Water" with reigning Soca Monarch Bunji Garlin, as well as the title track "Give Thanks" with Maximus Dan.
In the recently held Copyright Organization of T&T (COTT) awards Shurwayne received Songwriter of the year and Song of the Year for "The Band Coming". In addition, Shurwayne also received Up-tempo Song of the Year-Male and Song of the Year at the Soca Awards held at the prestigious Queen's Hall, in Trinidad.
2007 RELEASES
Shurwayne Winchester - Alequa
Shurwayne Winchester - Heavy Load
Shurwayne Winchester - Open The Gate
Shurwayne & Peter Ram - Woman By My Side (Remix)
JMC 3Veni ft Shurwayne Winchester - Take It Off
2006 RELEASES
Shurwayne Winchester - Can't Wait (Soca Monarch'06)
Shurwayne Winchester - Don't Stop (Groovy Soca Monarch'06)
Shurwayne Winchester - No Surrender
Shurwayne Winchester - Roll It
Shurwayne Winchester & Calypso Rose - Tempo
Sheldon Douglas ft Shurwayne Winchester - Wine
Edwin Yearwood ft Shurwayne Winchester - We Ready To Go
2005 RELEASES
Shurwayne Winchester - Dead Or Alive (Road March'05)
Shurwayne Winchester & Bunji - Don't Waste Water
Shurwayne Winchester & Candy Hoyte - Jammin All Night
2004 RELEASES
Shurwayne Winchester - The Band Coming (Road March'04)
Dead or Alive
Shurwayne Winchester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whey, whey, whey, whey
Now, aye, now
Who say!
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Take out yuh flag take out yuh rag people time to get on bad
Dead or alive
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
2005
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(Fee, fi, fo, fom) Understand there is just no stopping
(For this day I’ll) Swim the sea, climb the highest mountain
(Rain or thunderstorm) Blaze the heat like a fire blazing
(Sorry Boss man) Carnival ain’t no way I working
Bossman threatening to fire me for sure
If I only leave work early once more
Bossman you better understand
Is time to take out yuh rag, take out yuh flag and jump up in a band
Dead or alive
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
2005
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Jump until morning
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Don’t even try) Telling me to forget the season
(Clear the way, the road is calling) I’f I’m not there I’ll end in prison
(Land Lord rent is due) That money spending on my costume
(Don’t Call me No) After Carnival I will call you
How I’m flying home I don’t know for sure
But I guarntee I’ll be there once more
Masqueraders when you reach town
Its the Return of the King!! says:
Ah want yuh take out yuh rag, take out yuh flag and jump and carry on
Dead or alive
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
2005
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
Come what may there’s just no stopping
Where we’d be Carnival morning
Free your mind your soul be bold
Let music take control
Can you feel it, Can you feel it
Come what may there’s just no stopping
Where we’d be Carnival morning
Free your mind your soul be bold
Let music take control
Dead or alive
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
2005
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(Still we coming)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Jump until morning
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Is the road calling
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Jump until morning
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Is the road calling
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Jump until morning
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Is the road calling
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Jump until morning
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
Is the road calling
The song "Dead or Alive" by Shurwayne Winchester is a lively and upbeat soca tune that celebrates the spirit and energy of Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival season. The song's lyrics convey a sense of urgency, as if the road is "calling" and the people need to jump up and start celebrating. The song also emphasizes the importance of music and the power it has to unite people and free their minds and souls.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "dead or alive," which could be interpreted in a few different ways. Perhaps it is a reference to the idea that people will be so caught up in the music and the festivities that they will feel more alive than ever before. Alternatively, it could be a nod to the fact that Carnival season often involves a lot of physical exertion and people push themselves to their limits, living life to the fullest.
The verses of the song touch on a few other aspects of Carnival season, including the pressure people feel to take time off work and participate, the challenges of paying for costumes and other expenses, and the excitement of reuniting with fellow masqueraders in the streets. Overall, the song celebrates the vibrancy and joy of Carnival season, and encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and jump up until morning.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, hey, yeah!
Excited exclamatory expression to kickstart the song.
Whey, whey, whey, whey
Repetitive vocalization to create a catchy rhythm.
Now, aye, now
Immediate call to action, urging the listener to get ready.
Who say!
Challenging anyone who dares to suggest that we don't party hard.
Is the road calling
The main event is happening, we need to hit the road and get moving.
Take out yuh flag take out yuh rag people time to get on bad
Get your flags and rags, it's time to let loose and enjoy ourselves.
Dead or alive
We're coming for the carnival, come what may!
(Still we coming)
No obstacle can stop us from having a good time.
2005
The year of the carnival, the year of the most epic festivities.
(Fee, fi, fo, fom) Understand there is just no stopping
A playful nod to a children's rhyme, underscoring our determination to party hard.
(For this day I’ll) Swim the sea, climb the highest mountain
No distance is too great, no obstacle too insurmountable to keep us from the carnival.
(Rain or thunderstorm) Blaze the heat like a fire blazing
No matter what the weather is, we'll keep the party going and make it hotter!
(Sorry Boss man) Carnival ain’t no way I working
We're not going to let work come between us and having a good time at the carnival.
Bossman threatening to fire me for sure
Even if the boss threatens to fire us, we won't let that stop us from having fun.
If I only leave work early once more
Our love for carnival is so strong that we can't resist leaving work early to get ready for the party.
Bossman you better understand
The boss should understand that the carnival is a big deal for us and we won't miss it for anything.
Masqueraders when you reach town
Addressing fellow carnival-goers who've come to join us in the festivities.
Its the Return of the King!! says:
Referring to ourselves as the kings of carnival, the ones who will keep the party going!
Ah want yuh take out yuh rag, take out yuh flag and jump and carry on
Commanding everyone to get ready, put on their carnival attire and have fun!
(We jumping up, start jumping up)
A continuous invitation to join in the revelry and jump up to the music.
Jump until morning
We're in it for the long haul and won't stop jumping and dancing until the sun comes up.
Don’t even try) Telling me to forget the season
No one can convince us to forget about the carnival and the excitement it brings.
(Clear the way, the road is calling) I’f I’m not there I’ll end in prison
We can't let anything get in the way of our participation in the carnival, even if it means getting arrested!
(Land Lord rent is due) That money spending on my costume
We may have bills to pay, but when it comes to the carnival, our costumes take priority!
(Don’t Call me No) After Carnival I will call you
We're not going to be available for anything other than the carnival. Don't call us, we'll call you.
How I’m flying home I don’t know for sure
We're so caught up in the carnival that we haven't even thought about the logistics of getting home!
But I guarntee I’ll be there once more
We know for sure that we'll be back the next year for more carnival festivities.
Free your mind your soul be bold
The carnival is all about liberation and expression. Let go of your inhibitions and have fun!
Let music take control
The music is the driving force behind the carnival, inspiring and energizing us to dance and celebrate.
Can you feel it, Can you feel it
A rhetorical question to hype up the atmosphere and create excitement.
Is the road calling
The carnival is happening and it's time to hit the road and join in the fun.
Writer(s): Shurwayne Winchester
Contributed by Eli S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@joannaworrell2869
One of the best intros in a soca song.... Still slapping in 2021😍😍😍🔥!
@antheafyffe4742
Still one of the best Road March eva... 2018 we coming... Is di road callin
@kareembrewster6181
listening to this in 2022 and still a hit.. Good Ole Days
@ThePeachez71
This is still my shyt since 2005 when I went to Trinidad for Carnival. The best time EVA!!
@rush5667
Finally! I've been looking for this song since 2005 😩
@chasonjohn8490
Hits so different 2021
@leiselthorne9289
Trinidad All Stars Youths coming in 2023 💓💓💓💓💓
@user-lf3iu8td4c
POV you found this song by searching for 2005 soca🤣
@monifadouglas
🔥🔥🔥
@raijayrovedas7654
Big tuneeee🥳🥳🥳🥳