βPatty Andrews, the lead singer of the Andrews sisters group was born in Mound, Minnesota on February 16, 1918 in a house that occupied the property where The Gillespie Center stands today.
During the 1920βs Laverne, Maxene and Patty Andrews spent their summers in Mound, living with their parents in a house across the street from the grocery store that was owned by Pete and Ed Sollie, bachelor uncles of the three girls. (Today, Green T Accounting occupies the Sollie grocery store building and The Gillespie Center is on the land where the Andrews Sistersβ house once stood.)β - From a commentary by Tom Rockvam that appeared in The Laker Newspaper during 2005.
They started their career as imitators of an earlier successful singing group, the Boswell Sisters. After singing with various dance bands and touring on Vaudeville, they first came to national attention with their recordings and radio broadcasts in 1937. Their music entertained Allied troops worldwide during World War II, sold war bonds, appeared in several films (including a few Abbott and Costello features), and performed for soldiers serving overseas. Their first film with Abbott and Costello, the pre-war comedy Buck Privates, introduced their best-known recording, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" which would win Best Song at the Academy Awards.
They also recorded many songs with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and other popular artists of the era. Their popularity was such that after the war they discovered that some of their records had actually been smuggled into Germany after the labels had been changed to read "Hitler's Marching Songs."
After a brief hiatus after the war, the sisters regrouped, performing in clubs throughout the United States and Europe. They broke up in 1953, with Patty's choice to go solo. Their last appearance together was in 1962 on The Dean Martin Show. Laverne, who had cancer, retired soon after; she died five years later, in 1967 at the age of 55.
After a long silence, the two surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded a cover of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Maxene and Patty appeared both together and separately throughout the 1970s, with Maxene releasing a solo album in 1986. Their most notable comeback; however, was in the Sherman Brothers' nostalgic World War II musical: "Over Here!" which premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1974. The musical featured the two then living sisters (Maxene and Patty) and was written with them in mind for the leads. It launched the careers of many, now notable theater and film icons (John Travolta, Marilu Henner, Ann Reinking, et al). Ironically it was the last major hurrah of the sisters and was cut short due to a frivolous lawsuit initiated by Patty's husband to the show's producers.
Throughout their long career, the sisters had sold over 60 million records. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
The last of the three sisters Patty Andrews died of natural causes at her home in Northridge, California on January 30, 2013, just 17 days before her 95th birthday. The sisters were interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California, close to their parents.
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 !!!