Rum and Coca-Cola

The Andrews Sisters

About Rum and Coca-Cola

"Rum and Coca-Cola" is a popular calypso song composed by Lionel Belasco with lyrics by Lord Invader. The song was copyrighted in the United States by entertainer Morey Amsterdam and became a hit in 1945 for the Andrews Sisters, spending ten weeks at the top the Billboard Pop Singles chart.


Year:
2000
2:36
52 
#1

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If you ever go down Trinidad
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
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Oh, beat it man, beat it

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

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
Make 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 girl, the native swoon
When she hear Der Bingo 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
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

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The Andrews Sisters

The Andrews Sisters were a highly successful close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews (July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967), soprano Maxene Angelyn Andrews (January 3, 1916 – October 21, 1995), and mezzo-soprano Patricia Marie "Patty" Andrews (born February 16, 1918). Throughout their long career, the sisters sold well over 75 million records (the last official count released by MCA Records in the mid-1970s). Their 1941 hit "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" can be considered an early example of rhythm and blues or jump blues. more »

7 fans

Written by: Morey Amsterdam, Paul Baron, Jeri Sullavan, Al Stillman

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Origins
"Rum and Coca-Cola" by The Andrews Sisters is an American adaptation of a song originally sung in Trinidadian dialect by Lord Invader.
Latin Influence
The song is grounded in Calypso music, a genre that originated in Trinidad and Tobago, reflecting the cultural influence of this Caribbean nation on American music.
Controversial Topic
The song's lyrics, which hint at the socioeconomic effects of American soldiers visiting Trinidad during World War II, stirred controversy for focusing on controversial topics like prostitution and substance use.
Success
Despite the controversy surrounding its lyrics, "Rum and Coca-Cola" proved to be a major hit for The Andrew Sisters, topping US billboard charts in 1945.
Copyright Lawsuit
The song became the subject of a copyright lawsuit, when Lord Invader asserted his ownership of the original Trinidadian song. He eventually won the case.
Popular Covers
Numerous artists, including Barry Manilow and Julio Iglesias, have covered "Rum and Coca-Cola", a testament to the song's enduring appeal.
Film Appearance
"Rum and Coca-Cola" was featured in the 1945 movie, "Hollywood Canteen".
Best-Selling Record
The song is one of the best-selling records by The Andrew Sisters, testifying to its huge commercial success.
Social Commentary
The lyrics of the song are a social commentary on the effects of foreign military presence on a local economy, a topic still relevant today.
Accusation of Appropriation
The song was seen by some as an example of cultural appropriation, as it was derived from Caribbean music but performed by a white American group, sparking debates about credit and compensation in the music industry.

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    "Rum and Coca-Cola Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3521015/The+Andrews+Sisters/Rum+and+Coca-Cola>.

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