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.
Your Own Comes First
Van Dyke Parks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I try to talk to the people of Trinidad
If I talk again it could set me mad
I'm tired if talkin' to the people of Trinidad
All kinds of people come and doin' well
And you the Trinidadians only catchin' hell
How many times do you want to be told
Your own comes first all over the world
If you think I lie, I invite you please
Just take a trip through the West Indies
Make your first stop at Grenada
Tell them that you come to look for labor
If you miss and say you're from Trinidad
They lick you from Grenada down to Fyzabad
But you can't blame them on a whole
My friend, that's the policy of the world
So, Granadians for Granadians
Jamaicians for Jamaicians
Even Barbados take the same route
Trinidadians, buck up and follow suit
Well now you really lookin for blows
If you think you goin' anchor in Barbados
The Bajuns goin tell you bloomin' fast
Don't you know Bajuns first and outsiders last
Then you heist your anchor to Jamaica
Feelin' that your chances might be better
But as I've led you to understand
Boy, we only have work here for Jamaicans
I'm not all selfish, I love to give
And I believe in the slogan live and let live
If the other islands aren't doin' that
Well I don't see why we should be Miss Howard's cat
It's time to go into the reverse
Do like other nations put your people first
You must do as you are told
Or you would be the laughing stock of the world
Van Dyke Parks’s song "Your Own Comes First" highlights the issue of nationalism and favoritism within Trinidad and Tobago's society. The lyrics express the frustration felt by the singer towards how Trinidadians are treated poorly in the West Indies. The opening lines highlight the exhaustion felt by the singer, suggesting that the issue has been talked about before, but with no avail. The line "your own comes first all over the world" suggests the idea of national priorities within Caribbean society.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more critical of the situation. The lyrics show how Trinidadians are struggling to find work in neighboring countries such as Grenada and Barbados, as they prioritize their own citizens over others. However, the singer also expresses his belief in equality and fairness, singing "I'm not all selfish, I love to give, And I believe in the slogan live and let live," while encouraging Trinidadians to lead the change towards prioritizing their citizens.
Overall, "Your Own Comes First" is a critique of the nationalism and favoritism that exists within Trinidad and Tobago's society. The song calls for a change not only in behavior but also in attitudes towards outsiders. It highlights the importance of empathy towards others in creating a society that is inclusive towards all.
Line by Line Meaning
If I talk again it could drive me mad
I am fed up with talking to the people of Trinidad, it's driving me crazy.
I try to talk to the people of Trinidad
I have attempted to speak with the citizens of Trinidad.
If I talk again it could set me mad
Continuing to talk to the Trinidadians could drive me insane.
I'm tired if talkin' to the people of Trinidad
I have grown weary of conversing with Trinidadians.
All kinds of people come and doin' well
People of various backgrounds are succeeding.
And you the Trinidadians only catchin' hell
While everyone else is succeeding, Trinidadians are struggling.
How many times do you want to be told
I have already conveyed this message numerous times.
Your own comes first all over the world
Every nation prioritizes their own citizens over outsiders.
If you think I lie, I invite you please
If you doubt my words, I encourage you to verify them.
Just take a trip through the West Indies
Travel through the Caribbean islands.
Make your first stop at Grenada
Begin your journey in Grenada.
Tell them that you come to look for labor
Inform them you are seeking employment.
If you miss and say you're from Trinidad
If you mistakenly reveal that you originate from Trinidad.
They lick you from Grenada down to Fyzabad
You will face severe consequences and rejection in many places.
But you can't blame them on a whole
While these repercussions may seem harsh, it is a universal policy.
My friend, that's the policy of the world
The prioritization of citizens is a worldwide policy.
So, Granadians for Granadians
Grenadians prioritize their own people.
Jamaicians for Jamaicians
Jamaicans prioritize their own people.
Even Barbados take the same route
Barbados prioritizes their own citizens above all else.
Trinidadians, buck up and follow suit
Trinidadians should adopt this same strategy.
Well now you really lookin for blows
If you continue to deny this reality, you will suffer negative consequences.
If you think you goin' anchor in Barbados
If you believe you will receive a positive reception in Barbados.
The Bajuns goin tell you bloomin' fast
Barbadians will quickly remind you of their prioritization of their citizens.
Don't you know Bajuns first and outsiders last
Barbadians always prioritize their own people over outsiders.
Then you heist your anchor to Jamaica
If you then attempt to travel to Jamaica.
Feelin' that your chances might be better
Believing that you may find work there more easily.
But as I've led you to understand
As I have previously explained.
Boy, we only have work here for Jamaicans
Jamaicans are favored and given priority over outsiders when it comes to employment.
I'm not all selfish, I love to give
I am not completely self-centered and enjoy helping others.
And I believe in the slogan live and let live
I support allowing individuals to live their lives without interference.
If the other islands aren't doin' that
If other nations are not abiding by this philosophy.
Well I don't see why we should be Miss Howard's cat
There is no reason for Trinidad to be subservient or inferior.
It's time to go into the reverse
It is time for a change in policy to prioritize Trinidadian citizens.
Do like other nations put your people first
Trinidad should follow the example of other nations and prioritize its citizens.
You must do as you are told
It is imperative that Trinidad prioritize its own citizens.
Or you would be the laughing stock of the world
Failing to prioritize citizens would bring ridicule and humiliation from other nations.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DURRIE PARKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind