Trinidad is the origin of the down home, earthy, good feel music of Calypso. Renowned performers of calypso, such as Harry Belefonte and Calypso Rose, do well to portray the joy and feel good sense of this rhythmically strong and universally joyous style.

Rose and Belafonte are Trinidad and Tobago natives and are largely responsible for bringing Calypso to North America. Listening to their music is guaranteed to prove that Calypso's rhythms & melodies are soulful, joyous & contagious. Belafonte's album Calypso from 1956 verifies the universal appeal of Calypso - it was the first album ever to sell one million copies and stayed in the top of the U.S. charts for seven months. Belafonte's best known song is Day-o ("Day-o, dayyyyy-o, day light come and me want go home...") - aka., Banana Boat song. This is certainly a classic of classics, but he has many other great Calypso, feel good songs, including Land of the Sea and Sun, Done Laid Around (aka Gotta Travel On) & Island in the Sun.

With a name like Calypso Rose it is no surprise she has played a large role in spreading the peace of Calypso. Rose is a glowing woman who appears to have Trinidadian sun inside of her. As with Belafonte, her warm energy and joyous smile is a perfect fit for a Calypso singer. Here great song "Fire in Me Wire" (1966) is a classic of classics in the world of Calypso. And she is among the best of the best in the world of Soca music.

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Calypso is an example of music helping people overcome and survive. It began in the 18th century among plantation slaves who were forbidden to speak to one another. In response they began singing and chanting their political concerns, jokes and sexual innuendoes into melodic patois. The music and lyrics was influenced by the slaves heritage, Africa and the West Indies as well as the local island fold philosophies, humor and wise-cracks. Some songs, such as "Mama, Look at Bubu" or "Angelina" by Belafonte, capture the sarcasm & raw humor in so much of calypso. But any insulting sense is simultaneously assuaged by the pleasing rhythms and harmonious voices and instruments. The lyrics in Calypso reveal the obvious folk origin of the music; many of Belafonte's songs are songs school children may sing. But Calypso can have a serious side as Calypso Rose shows in her 1990 songs "The Balance Wheel" and "Gun Play on the Parkway", both which address social and political issues. Afro-Cuban & Jamaican reggae influences are also found in Calypso and help make it the choice of music for island festivals and carnival. But just like any complete art or music form it also touhes the depths of the soul and is historically used in more sobering events such church processions and everyday life.

Calypso Music History - A deeper look into the history a Calypso

What is Soca music?

Calypso Rhythms

The Rhythmic Cosmos

Rhythmic Styles