Versions of the Song
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Next we have the three known recordings of “Rum and Coca-Cola” by Lord Invader:
Port of Spain - 1950 The third one is not ready yet.
no notes yet
Next we present the five versions of the song which were recorded in the U.S. in late 1944 and early 1945 without Invader’s knowledge or permission. (Note: in addition to these five versions I have also seen mention of “Rum and Coca-Cola” being recorded in 1945 by Al Trace on the National label and “Porky” Freeman on the ARA label. See BILLBOARD magazine April 28, 1945, p.23.)
Finally, a sampling of “R&CC” videos found on the web. There are nineteen of them so please scroll down.
Jeri Sullavan - 1945
Jeri Sullavan made this "soundie" in early 1945, right around the time she was in Hollywood being screen tested by Warner Bros. It was a test she apparently did not pass. She would remain a lounge singer for the rest of her life. She seems a little stiff in this clip. (See also, “Jeri Sullavan and the V-Disc” on this site.)
(A "soundie" was a 16mm. film loop which was rear-projected in an elaborate early version of a video juke box.)
This is the version recorded by the Andrews Sisters on October 18, 1944. Note that Morey Amsterdam alone is credited. I will explain why in a later chapter.
The Monroe version made the top ten Billboard chart on March 3, 1945. It featured vocals by the Norton Sisters and Rosemary Calvin.
The Lyman version, with vocals by Rose Blane, probably has the most bang for the buck. It has six verses, including some of the racier ones. It spent four weeks on the Billboard top ten chart in March, 1945.
A reader from Berkeley, California pointed out that the site did not contain a transcription of Lord Invader’s original version of “Rum and Coca-Cola”. So here it is, below on the left. The text is scanned directly from the page of the famous booklet, “Victory Calypsoes - 1943”. It is as close as we can come to the version of the song as performed by Invader in Trinidad in 1943.
On the right is the Andrews Sisters’ version which was recorded in New York City on October 18, 1944. It presumably matches the version which Morey Amsterdam copyrighted on September 27, 1944, although I am not sure of that. (At the “Khan vs. Feist” trial only the first verse and chorus were transcribed.) I have not seen Amsterdam’s actual copyright submission. The spelling, or misspelling, of the place names is taken from the sheet music as published by Feist in late 1944. (Mona’s = Monos; Koo-Mah-Nah = Cumana; Chica-chi-carry = Chacachacare; Manzinella = Manzanilla)
Also, “Der Bingle” is another name for Bing Crosby.
The Andrews Sisters version - October 18, 1944
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 Koo-mah-nah
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
(Oh, you vex me, you vex me)
From Chica-chi-carry to Mona's Isle
Native girls all dance and smile
Help soldier celebrate his leave
Make every day like New Year's Eve
(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 Bingle croon
Out on Manzinella Beach
G.I. romance with native peach
All night long, make tropic love
Next day, sit in hot sun and cool off
(It's a fact, man, it's a fact)
Chubby Checker - 1962
Chubby Checker recorded "Rum and Coca-Cola" for his 1963 album, "Let's Limbo Some More" which also contained another calypso classic, "Mama, Look a Boo-Boo" by Lord Melody.
The version playing above may be slightly different than the one on the album. The audio and video were obviously recorded separately.
Gigliola Cinquetti and Joe Dassin - c. 1973
These two performers were very big in Europe in the early 70’s when they collaborated on a medley of Andrews Sisters’ hits. This clip appears to be from a TV performance, probably in Italy - una bellisima versione della cancione!
I have also seen on the web a clip of Signorina Cinquetti doing a solo version of the song while twirling a hula hoop!
The Busters - 1997
Ok, this is a different song, but it shows the extent to which the term, “Rum and Coca Cola” is recognized all over the world as a shorthand description of tropical pleasures.
This clip features some very nice horn work from this German ska band at the E-Werk concert in Cologne.
When I’m depressed I listen to this version. Snaps me right out of it.
Trinidad Rio - 1998
Trinidad Rio is a second tier, but well-respected, calypsonian. The best information I have is that this audio only clip is from an album called “Past, Present, and Future”.
The above copyrighted photo was taken by me in Port of
Spain in February, 1980
The Satin Dollz - c. 2006
Although they are only the size of paper clips in this window, these long-legged, scantily-clad young ladies create quite an impression.
The Satin Dollz is a California group and this appears to be a live performance, not a lip sync.
Arielle Dombasle - 2004
Trinidadians of Lord Invader’s generation loved the Hollywood film noir of the 1940’s so it’s a safe bet that the man who wrote “Rum and Coca-Cola” would approve of this video clip.
Arielle Dombasle was born in Connecticut in 1958 of French parentage and raised in Mexico.
M.A. Numminen - 2004
“Rum and Coca-Cola” in Finnish! with a lazy reggae beat by the avant garde recording artist Mauri Antero Numminen. (Audio only)
The circumstances surrounding the January, 1945 recording (on Decca!) by Wilmoth Houdini were filled with enough intrigue to support a website of its own - if we only knew the details.
Houdini must have known that he was stealing from Lord Invader, not just copycatting the Andrews Sisters. This six-minute rendition is probably a combination of both sides of the disc.
The Louis Prima version, with Lily Ann Carol on vocals, was the only “big band” version not to make it to the charts. The “official” Prima discography gives the date of this recording as June 1944, but this is clearly inaccurate. It is probably January, 1945 or very late 1944.
Note that this version was the only one which restored Invader’s original lyric, “And they give (pay) them a better price.”
Laurel Campbell - 2010?
This one def wins the prize in the “high altitude” category. I am told that Laurel (or “Lori”) Campbell is a British folk singer. Check her out at: http://www.myspace.com/laurelcampbell
Sestry Allanovy - 1946
Audio only. Just when I thought I had heard everything, this comes along on YouTube. “Sestry Allanovy” translates as “Allan Sisters”. They were a Czech vocal group of the 1940’s. Real names: Jiřina Salačová, Máša Horová, Věra Kočvarová. Unlike the Andrews Sisters they were not blood relatives.
Their version was officially titled, “Na Ostrově Trinidadu” (“On The Island of Trinidad”). I can’t actually hear the words “Coca-Cola”. Perhaps this was in anticipation of the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in February, 1948. I doubt that the airwaves of Prague would have made much mention of Yankee soldiers or the American soft drink after that.
Peter Ricardo - 1957
Peter Ricardo (1917-2008), I’m told, was a Grenadian who released the album, “HI-FI CALYPSO” in London during the Calypso boom of 1957. He is the only one, aside from Abe Lyman, to have recorded the racy “grass skirt” verse and the “Trinidad dad” verse. For more on Peter Ricardo - click here.
Golden Earring - 1966
(Audio only)
After officially avoiding the song for two decades, the Coca-Cola Company commissioned this singing commercial by the Dutch hard rock band Golden Earring in 1966. It was released on a 45 rpm record which was reportedly available only in grocery stores. On the flip side was the Coca-Cola jingle, "Things Go Better With Coca-Cola". (Must be something about the Dutch. When Lord Invader visited Holland in 1958 he recorded a singing commercial for Heineken beer.)
Note: After 1966 the band “Golden Earrings” shortened its name and dropped the “S”.
Alys Robi - 1945?
(Audio only - in French.) Alys Robi was born Alice Robitaille in Québec City in 1923. I am guessing that this version dates from 1945. She was very active during the mid-40's and had a radio show called "Latin American Serenade"
Mlle. Robitaille has a fascinating, tragic life story which is well worth seeking out.
Mary Lo - 1948 - audio only (in Greek)
According to what I have seen on the web, Mary Lo (Greek: Μαίρη Λω) was born Maria Doukaki in Palaio Faliro, a suburb of Athens, in 1932. She first recorded in 1947 and her music career lasted until 1965. She was married to songwriter Nicky Yakovlev who wrote many of her songs.
This version has a bouncy big band beat and the matching video has some nice street scenes of Athens in the 40’s.
Remix by Tim Tim - 2009
This is a wild one. The soundtrack is apparently a remix of the Andrews Sisters’ version by the reggae fusion group Tim Tim. The visual is a “32 count, four wall” line dance choreographed by Ria Vos and led by Vivian Tu.
To see the original video, which is longer, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPM7aJwGjHU&feature=related
Prince Buster - 1967
Click here if you want to hear the song ruined by a lugubrious Rocksteady beat. (Audio only)
Prince Buster was born Cecil Bustamante Campbell in Jamaica in 1938. He is an important figure in the development of Reggae.
He released this version of "Rum and Coca-Cola" on the Bluebeat label which was a division of Melodisc.
Calypso Rose - 2011
If Lord Invader could go online,
He'd say, "My song is doing fine!
Let them sing it - I don’t care -
Even that fat lady with short hair!”
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola . . .
Stratovani Orchestra - 2008
Another “when you’re feeling blue” version by the Belgian orchestra, Stratovani. From a live performance at the Vorst Nationaal, a concert hall in Brussels.
(audio only)
My favorite thing about Wanda Jackson is that she dated Elvis Presley.
Luckily for us, Elvis is not known to have recorded "Rum and Coca-Cola". He would have been lost in a land of irony and double entendre.
Wanda Jackson - 2011