Although the song was published in the United States with Amsterdam listed as the lyricist and Jeri Sullavan and Paul Baron as musical composers, the melody had been previously published as the work of Trinidadian calypso composer Lionel Belasco on a song titled "L'AnnΓ©e PassΓ©e," which was in turn based on a folksong from Martinique.[2] The original lyrics to "Rum and Coca-Cola" were written by Rupert Grant, another calypso musician from Trinidad who went by the stage name of Lord Invader.[3] (The true credits for music and lyrics were restored in a plagiarism lawsuit won by famous attorney Louis Nizer, the account of which can be read in his book, "My Life in Court.")
According to Lord Invader, "Calypso is the folklore of Trinidad, a style of poetry, telling about current events in song. Back home in the West Indies, Trinidad, where I'm from, it's a small island, I'm proud of it. I was traveling on a bus, someplace they call Point Cumana, a bathing resort, and I happened to see the G.I.s in the American social invasion in the West Indies, Trinidad. You know the girls used to get the candies and stuff like that, and they go to the canteens with the boys and so on, have fun. So I noticed since the G.I.s come over there, they generally chase with soda, ordinary soda, but the chaser was Rum and Coke. They drink rum, and they like Coca-Cola as a chaser, so I studied that as an idea of a song, and Morey Amsterdam had the nerve to say that he composed that song back here."[4]
The song became a local hit and was at the peak of its popularity when Amsterdam visited the island in September 1943 as part of a U.S.O. tour. Although he subsequently claimed never to have heard the song during the month he spent on the island, the lyrics to his version are clearly based on the Lord Invader version, with the music and chorus being virtually identical. However, Amsterdam's version strips the song of its social commentary. The Lord Invader version laments that U.S. soldiers are debauching local women, who "saw that the Yankees treat them nice / and they give them a better price." Its final stanza describes a newlywed couple whose marriage is ruined when "the bride run away with a soldier lad / and the stupid husband went staring mad." The Amsterdam version also hints that women are prostituting themselves, preserving the Lord Invader chorus which says, "Both mother and daughter / Working for the Yankee dollar."
Since the Yankee come to Trinidad
They got the young girls all goin' mad
Young girls say they treat 'em nice
Make Trinidad like paradise
The Andrews Sisters also seem to have given little thought to the meaning of the lyrics. According to Patty Andrews, "We had a recording date, and the song was brought to us the night before the recording date. We hardly really knew it, and when we went in we had some extra time and we just threw it in, and that was the miracle of it. It was actually a faked arrangement. There was no written background, so we just kind of faked it."[5] Years later, Maxine Andrews recalled, "The rhythm was what attracted the Andrews Sisters to 'Rum and Coca-Cola'. We never thought of the lyric. The lyric was there, it was cute, but we didn't think of what it meant; but at that time, nobody else would think of it either, because we weren't as morally open as we are today and so, a lot of stuff - really - no excuses - just went over our heads."[6]
The song was the top single of 1945 in the United States.[1] Despite its popularity, it was controversial and was banned by network radio stations because it mentioned an alcoholic beverage. The fact that it mentioned a commercial product by name also meant that it could be construed as free advertising when broadcast.
After the release of the Andrews Sisters version of "Rum and Coca-Cola," Belasco and Lord Invader sued for copyright infringement of the song's music and lyrics, respectively. After years of litigation, both plaintiffs won their cases, with Lord Invader receiving an award of $150,000 in owed royalties. However, Morey Amsterdam was allowed to retain copyright to the song.[2] Lord Invader also wrote a follow-up song to "Rum and Coca-Cola," titled "Yankee Dollar."
Leonard Cohen sometimes quoted a line from the song in live performances of his song "Field Commander Cohen". A version is available on the live album of the same name released in 2000.
Julio Iglesias recorded a Spanish edition of this song, titled "Ron y Coca-Cola", on his album Hey!.
Rum and Coca-Cola
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They make you feel so very glad
Calypso sing and make up rhyme
Guarantee you one real good fine time
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Oh, beat it man, beat it
If a Yankee come to Trinidad
They got the young girls all goin' mad
Young girls say they treat 'em nice
Make Trinidad like paradise
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Oh, you vex me, you vex me
From Chicachicaree to Mona's Isle
Native girls all dance and smile
Help soldier celebrate his leave
Makes every day like New Year's Eve
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
It's a fact, man, it's a fact
In old Trinidad, I also fear
The situation is mighty queer
Like the Yankee girls, the native swoon
When she hear Der Bingle croon
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Out on Manzanella Beach
G.I. romance with native peach
All night long, make tropic love
The next day, sit in hot sun and cool off
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
It's a fact, man, it's a fact
Rum and Coca-Cola
Rum and Coca-Cola
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
The Andrews Sisters' song "Rum and Coca Cola," though musically upbeat and fun, has more than meets the eye in terms of its lyrics. The song is a commentary on American soldiers stationed in Trinidad during World War II, and the way they took advantage of the island's people and resources. The lyrics describe Trinidad as a place where soldiers could drink rum and Coke and enjoy the local calypso music, while also engaging in romantic and sexual relationships with young Trinidadian women. The song reveals the exploitation and commodification of Trinidadian culture and people by American soldiers, who saw the island as a playground and opportunity for personal gain.
The lyrics of "Rum and Coca Cola" were controversial at the time of the song's release in 1944, as they were seen as crude and offensive by some listeners. However, others recognized the song's social commentary and satirical edge. The song went on to become an enormous hit, topping the charts for ten weeks straight and remaining a popular tune for decades to come. Interestingly, the song was actually based on a traditional Trinidadian calypso tune called "L'annΓ©e PassΓ©e," which was initially performed by Trinidadian performer Lord Invader.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ever go down Trinidad
When you visit Trinidad
They make you feel so very glad
You get a warm welcome and feel happy
Calypso sing and make up rhyme
Music is an important part of the culture in Trinidad
Guarantee you one real good fine time
You're sure to have a great time
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Indulging in local drinks
Go down Point Koomahnah
Head to a specific place in Trinidad
Both mother and daughter
Women of all ages
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Working to earn money from Americans
Oh, beat it man, beat it
Go away, leave me alone
If a Yankee come to Trinidad
When an American visits Trinidad
They got the young girls all goin' mad
The American men are popular with the local girls
Young girls say they treat 'em nice
The girls enjoy the Americans' company
Make Trinidad like paradise
They make the island feel like a perfect place
Oh, you vex me, you vex me
You're bothering me
From Chicachicaree to Mona's Isle
From one end of Trinidad to the other
Native girls all dance and smile
Local girls are happy and friendly
Help soldier celebrate his leave
The girls participate in festivities for soldiers taking time off
Makes every day like New Year's Eve
It's always a party atmosphere
It's a fact, man, it's a fact
It's true
In old Trinidad, I also fear
However, there's a downside to the situation
The situation is mighty queer
There's something strange or unsettling about it
Like the Yankee girls, the native swoon
The local men are attracted to the American women
When she hear Der Bingle croon
When they hear Bing Crosby sing
Out on Manzanella Beach
On a specific beach in Trinidad
G.I. romance with native peach
American soldiers romantically involved with local girls
All night long, make tropic love
Spending the night in romantic activities
The next day, sit in hot sun and cool off
Resting the next day in the sun after a passionate night
Rum and Coca-Cola
The signature drinks of Trinidad
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
The locals make money from the Americans' tourism
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jeri Sullivan, Morey Amsterdam, Paul Baron
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@noahloewe
Even 77 years later, it's still an iconic song.
@D14mond_A
Queen platinum jubilee
@colliric
Greatest free advertising for a product ever....
@balkanleopard9728
After 77 years and you still don't know what this song's about? "Both mother and daughter working for the Yankee Dollar".
@Video-Mix-1775
#QueenPlatinum #TheAndrewSister
@garrynewnham
@Balkan Leopard I think everyone knows what it's about smartypants
@roberttelarket4934
Their voices are unique and supreme along with Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, the Everly Brothers!!! Brings chills up and down the spine and tears to the eyes!!!
@cccool089
The Andrew Sisters are pure bliss to my ears, this is what relaxation to the ears feels π
@sharanshanthy1204
This song has sweet memories for my mom too. She was in Singapore doing her nursing and they played this song for nurses beauty pageant .
My darling Mummy would be 85 years old if she is alive.
I miss her so very much....π
@GypsyRoaddog
LOVE !!!