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Discover Simply the Best by Harry Belafonte released in 1993. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.
- 3 min
- Simon Vozick-Levinson,Jonathan Bernstein,Kory Grow
- “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” (1956) The song that made calypso a household word in the Eisenhower-era U.S. began decades earlier on the docks of Jamaica, where day laborers sang it during their long shifts loading bananas onto export ships.
- “Jamaica Farewell” (1956) Belafonte’s next hit was this bittersweet ballad, where the narrator laments everything he left behind in Kingston, from the national dishes (“Ackee, rice, salt fish are nice”) to the girl he loved.
- “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” (1956) Instances of Harry Belafonte’s wisdom and intelligence are well documented, but the moment that should top any list of Belafonte’s intellectual achievements may be in recording “Man Smart (Woman Smarter).”
- “A Hole in the Bucket” (1960) Belafonte’s 1960 duet with Odetta of this “old German folk song,” as Pete Seeger later described it, not only became one of his most popular recordings, it also served as further proof of the breadth and scope of the singer’s inspiration.
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- "Cocoanut Woman"
- "Brown Skin Girl"
- "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)"
- "Jamaica Farewell"
- "Matilda"
- "Island in The Sun"
- "Hava Nagila"
- "This Land Is Your Land"
- "Will His Love Be Like His Rum?"
- "Suzanne (Every Night When The Sun Goes Down)"
Whether or not you're a fan of the fruit, "Cocoanut Woman"—complete with its glorious gang vocals on the "coconut!" chant—can appeal to almost anyone.
Before Beyoncé and Blue Ivy teamed up with SAINt JHN and Wizkid, Belafonte delivered "Brown Skin Girl." The sweet melody, restrained vocals and soft guitar may camouflage the message: A searing protest against American colonization and exploitation of Black Caribbean women and the land on which they lived.
Whether or not you agree with the song's sentiment (ahem), you absolutely cannot deny that "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" is a banger. Play it at a party and see how many sing-alongs and arguments you can start. The live version is particularly fun because you can hear Belafonte chuckling at the cheeky lyrics.
You may have heard "Jamaica Farewell," a reworked classic folk song, in Barry Season 1, episode 8, or in Rabbids Go Home.
Before there was "Hit 'Em Up Style" and Blu Cantrell, there was "Matilda." Get money, girls. Related: Harry Belafonte's Net Worth
Belafonte is credited as a co-writer on "Island in the Sun," released for the film of the same name in which he starred. In 1999, 42 years after the song's release, it was adapted into a picture book.
Oh yes, Belafonte delivered his own rendition of this Jewish wedding staple. It's as glorious as it is unexpected, whether or not you're a member of the faith.
With an almost audible grin and a tone of firm resolve, Belafonte's civil rights and social justice activism are wrapped up in "This Land Is Your Land," a cover of the Woody Guthrieclassic. Related: 50 Songs About America
Talk about being ahead of his time—this precedes "Drunk in Love" by an entire generation. Related: Read an Exclusive Excerpt From Harry Belafonte's My Song
Belafonte sounds just as good when he's sad as he does when he's ready to party, as evidenced in "Suzanne (Every Night When the Sun Goes Down)."
Explore the tracklist, credits, statistics, and more for Simply The Best by Harry Belafonte. Compare versions and buy on Discogs
- (3)
- Jazz
- 10
- Easy Listening
Subscribe → http://bit.ly/1XmUMNY ♫ Listen to full album on Youtube → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO3cm27c_GM&list=PLbqlYXEyLVwZwtGsfdynpMEA4qqAItIsq
Recommendations. Wicked Game. Chris Isaak. Released. 1991 — Europe. CD — Compilation. La Septième Vague. Laurent Voulzy. Released. 2006 — Europe. CD — Album. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1993 CD release of "Simply The Best" on Discogs.
