Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 1942) is an American Grammy Award-winning blues musician who incorporates elements of world music into his music. A self-taught singer, songwriter, and film composer who plays the guitar, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his 50 year career by fusing it with non-traditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific.

After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.

He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.

Coconut Man
Taj Mahal Lyrics

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Saw a sign of you, yes, I understand
You're trying to make a fool out of me
Oh, yes I know, yes, I understand
You're trying to make a fool out of me

Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Hawaiian man
Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me

Talking about the Fijian man

Bula vinaka, moce vinaka too
Listen down in Fijiland
Ni sa bula, ni sa yandra too
Singing down in Fijiland

Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Hawaiian man
Ayai yai, ayai yai, talking
About one big Hawaiian man
Oh, aloha, mahalo too
They say in old Kauai
Oh talking, so cute, talking down in Kauai

Ayai yai, ayai yai, baby, listen to me
Talking about the Hawaiian man
Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Hawaiian man
Joe Naves, Robbie Kaholaku too, in old Kauai
Oh, oh, so many more to say

Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Hawaiian man
Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Fijiman
Ni sa bula, moce vinaka too
Singing down in Fijiland
Kiora kiora too, they say down in Kiwiland

Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Fijian man
Ayai yai, ayai yai, tui maui, I'm talking
About the Maui man

Moce vinaka, ni sa yandra
Yo, yo, yo
You singing down in Fijiland

Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Fijian man
Ayai yai, ayai yai, I'm talking
About the Hawaiian man
Malahini, Kamaina, talking
About the island man
Yes, I know, yes, I understand
Talking about the Hawaiian

Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Hawaiian man
Ooh, ooh, ooh

Ayai yai, ayai yai
Ayai yai

Heard a sign of you, yes, I understand
You are talking about the Fijian man
Oh, viti levu, talking about the Fiji Island

Ayai yai, ayai yai, when we're talking
Talking about the Fiji Island
Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Fijian man
Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Talking about the Fijian man

Ayai yai, ayai, baby, baby listen to me
Won't you listen, listen
Oh écoute moi
Ayai yai, ayai yai
Ayai yai, ayai yai

Ayai yai, ayai yai
Ayai yai, ayai yai

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Taj Mahal & the Hula Blues's song Coconut Man are all about celebrating and acknowledging the different island cultures of Hawaii and Fiji. The singer seems to be aware that there are those who are trying to make a fool out of him by confusing him with their cultural references, but he confidently asserts that he understands what they are trying to say. He goes on to talk about the different people and places in Hawaii and Fiji, mentioning the Hawaiian man, Fijian man, Maui man, and Island man among others. The chorus, "Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me," is a plea to the listener to pay attention to what he's saying about these island cultures.

Overall, the song seems to be a tribute to the beauty and diversity of these Pacific island cultures, and a reminder to appreciate and celebrate them. The use of different languages, including English, Fijian and Hawaiian, adds to the multicultural and inclusive feel of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Saw a sign of you, yes, I understand
I am aware of your intentions

You're trying to make a fool out of me
You are attempting to deceive me

Ayai yai, ayai yai, listen to me
Pay attention to what I am saying

Talking about the Hawaiian man
Referring to a man from Hawaii

Talking about the Fijian man
Referring to a man from Fiji

Bula vinaka, moce vinaka too
Greetings and farewell in Fijian language

Ni sa bula, ni sa yandra too
Greetings and goodnight in Fijian language

Singing down in Fijiland
Expressing joy in Fiji

Oh, aloha, mahalo too
Greetings and thank you in Hawaiian language

They say in old Kauai
According to tradition in Kauai

Joe Naves, Robbie Kaholaku too, in old Kauai
Mentioning some names in Kauai