OLDIES SUNDAY: Happy Birthday @HarryBelafonte x Banana Boat Song (1956)

Today’s Oldies Sunday is dedicated to Singer, Actor and Activist, Harry Belafonte who celebrates his 88th birthday. His most famous song, “Banana Boat Song (Day O)” is the featured selection. Released in 1956 by RCA and written by Irving Burgie and William Attaway, this was adapted from the song Jamaican Banana Workers would sing while they toiled on the docks. The song was also featured on Belafonte’s million unit selling “Calypso” album. Harry achieved great success with this single as it peaked at #5 on the Billboard charts in 1957, made its debut performance on The Muppet Show, made an appearance in the 1988 film “Beetlejuice“, has over the years been covered by many artists, and sampled by Lil Wayne on the track “6 Foot 7 Foot“. Despite the previous version of the song and the covers, Harry Belafonte’s version stood out the most and has become one of his signature songs.