Among the hundreds of artists he's worked with include Phil Ochs, Tim Buckley, Haruomi Hosono, The Byrds, Rufus Wainwright, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, U2, Joanna Newsom, Inara George, Keith Moon, Frank Zappa, Harpers Bizarre, Little Feat, Ringo Starr, Silverchair, and Skrillex.
In addition to producing, Parks has released seven studio albums of his own recordings: Song Cycle, Discover America, Clang of the Yankee Reaper, Jump!, Tokyo Rose, Songs Cycled, and with Brian Wilson, Orange Crate Art. He has also released a live album, Moonlighting: Live at the Ash Grove. His first official release was the 1966 single Number Nine, a modernized version of Beethoven's 9th backed with Do What You Wanta.
Parks has also established himself in film scores, and over the years has directed, arranged, produced, and composed soundtracks for a great number of motion pictures and television shows.
During his childhood, Parks became extremely fond of old-style American music, most notably the sounds of Tin Pan Alley. This interest in Depression-era songwriting would correlate heavily with his artistic goals and interests during the 1960s and beyond. He was also deeply affected by musicians Spike Jones and Les Paul, which led him to develop an interest with studio experimentation in the form of pop music.
FDR in Trinidad
Van Dyke Parks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shouts of welcome were heard
Hummingbird, hummingbird, hummingbird
His visit to their island is bound to be
An epoch in local history
Definitely marking the new era
Between Trinidad and America
On a visit to Brazil and the Argentine
With Mr Cordell Hull in attendance
There they took part in a peace conference
Struck by his modest style
We were intrigued by the famous Roosevelt smile
In fact everybody was glad
To welcome Roosevelt to Trinidad
We were privileged to see the democratic
President of the great republic
With his charm and his genial personality
And his wonderful urbanity
To stop war and atrocity
And make the world safe for democracy
The greatest event of the century
In the interest of suffering humanity
Port of Spain threw open her gates
To the President of the United States
In fact everybody was glad
To welcome Roosevelt to Trinidad
The song "FDR in Trinidad" by Van Dyke Parks was written as a tribute to the visit of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the island of Trinidad during World War II. The opening lyrics of the song, "When Roosevelt came to the land of the hummingbird, shouts of welcome were heard," describe the warm reception that the President received from the people of Trinidad. The "hummingbird" mentioned in the song is a reference to the national bird of Trinidad and Tobago.
The song goes on to describe the significance of the President's visit, which marked a new era in the relationship between Trinidad and America. It also mentions the President's recent visit to Brazil and Argentina, where he took part in a peace conference. The lyrics praise Roosevelt's "modest style" and "genial personality," and express hope for his efforts to stop war and make the world safe for democracy.
Overall, the song celebrates the friendship between the United States and Trinidad, and the hope for a better future that President Roosevelt symbolized.
Line by Line Meaning
When Roosevelt came to the Land of the hummingbird
The arrival of Roosevelt in Trinidad and Tobago is being highlighted.
Shouts of welcome were heard
The locals were excited and happy to welcome the President.
Hummingbird, hummingbird, hummingbird
The locals were making noise and celebrating the occasion.
His visit to their island is bound to be
His visit will leave a permanent mark in the history of the island.
An epoch in local history
This event is significant in the history of Trinidad and Tobago.
Definitely marking the new era
This event symbolizes a new era.
Between Trinidad and America
The relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and America is being strengthened.
We understand that the president had just been
It is being explained that before his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, he visited other countries in South America.
On a visit to Brazil and the Argentine
He visited Brazil and Argentina before coming to Trinidad and Tobago.
With Mr Cordell Hull in attendance
Cordell Hull was accompanying President Roosevelt on this trip.
There they took part in a peace conference
They participated in a conference aimed at promoting peace in the region.
Struck by his modest style
The people were impressed by his humble personality.
We were intrigued by the famous Roosevelt smile
The people noticed his famous and infectious smile.
In fact everybody was glad
Everyone was happy and excited about the President's visit.
To welcome Roosevelt to Trinidad
The people of Trinidad and Tobago were eager to welcome and host the President.
We were privileged to see the democratic
The people felt fortunate to witness the arrival of the democratic and popular President.
President of the great republic
He is the President of a strong and influential country.
With his charm and his genial personality
The President's positive and cheerful attitudes were much appreciated.
And his wonderful urbanity
His refined and courteous manners were admired.
To stop war and atrocity
The President's agenda is to promote peace and prevent terrible events.
And make the world safe for democracy
The President's goal is to create a world where democratic principles are upheld and valued.
The greatest event of the century
This event will be remembered as one of the most significant events of the century.
In the interest of suffering humanity
The President's visit will benefit people who are oppressed or struggling.
Port of Spain threw open her gates
The capital city was welcoming the President with open arms.
To the President of the United States
The President of the United States was being addressed with respect and admiration.
In fact everybody was glad
Everyone was happy and excited about the President's visit.
To welcome Roosevelt to Trinidad
The people of Trinidad and Tobago were eager to welcome and host the President.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN DYKE PARKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sunkentree
Gotta be the most badass song about a president I ever heard
Christopher Stevenson
🌴🧡🤙🏻