Iko Iko

About this episode

The episode explores the origins and versions of the Mardi Gras song 'Iko Iko', tracing back to its roots in the 1950s.

Consider this Fat Friday! - we're doing the legendary Mardi Gras tune "Iko Iko" this week but first we have to reverse the parade back to the 50s to hear the source, James 'Sugar Boy' Crawford & His Cane Cutters and "Jockomo." It's got a real carnival feel and Sugar Boy blows out the mic! The spy boys then scout rival krewe The Dixie Cups version, "Iko Iko," from 1965. We dispute the lore that the song was totally spontaneous, but that doesn't stop us from loving the rhythm and the subdue...

People in this episode

Hosts: Weldon Hunter, Erik Komarnicki

Topics covered

• Mardi Gras
• music history
• carnival tunes
• song analysis
• cultural commentary

Keywords

• Iko Iko
• James 'Sugar Boy' Crawford
• The Dixie Cups
• Mardi Gras
• carnival music

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: His Cane Cutters, The Dixie Cups

Books & works: Iko Iko, Jockomo

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