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Sep 1, 2024 · “Day-O” Has An Interesting Origin. “The Banana Boat Song” is believed to have originated around the beginning of the 20th century in Jamaica. Beetlejuice uses Harry Belafonte’s version of “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”, which is the best-known one, but the song wasn’t his.
- Adrienne Tyler
The lyrics describe how daylight has come, their shift is over, and they want their work to be counted up so that they can go home. The best-known version was released by American singer Harry Belafonte in 1956 (originally titled "Banana Boat (Day-O)") and later became one of his signature songs.
Apr 24, 2024 · Belafonte fell in love with the infectious rhythm and the power behind the lyrics. He adapted the melody and the lyrics, adding the iconic “Day-O” chorus, which symbolizes the end of a long day’s work when the workers count their banana bunches and prepare to go home.
Apr 26, 2023 · Belafonte brought the sway of the Caribbean to an American audience by popularizing the Calypso genre. Perhaps the best testament to that claim is one of his biggest hits “Banana Boat (Day-O ...
- Staff Writer
- 4 min
Jul 3, 2024 · “Day-O” is a repeated phrase throughout the song, which derives from the Jamaican term “daylight come and me wan’ go home.” This phrase represents the desire for daylight to come, signaling the end of a long night shift and the workers’ yearning to return to their homes.
Sep 16, 2023 · The song’s lyrics depict the arduous and monotonous work of Jamaican dock workers loading bananas onto ships in the early morning hours. The song’s chorus, which repeats the word “Day-O” several times, is believed to be a call-and-response element, providing rhythm and unity among the workers.
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The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) by Harry Belafonte song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position.