Banana Boat Song by Tarriers (#5 in 1957)

Of course everyone knows the Harry Belafonte version that came out at the same time, peaked at the same position (for longer) and lives with us to this day. But there’s a certain charm to this version as well. Even though it looks to the naked eye like a white legitimacy cover, it is in fact a folk version of the song. Foreshadowing the Kingston Trio, the Tarriers play simple melody lines and small vocal flourishes and try to sound like “the people.” They do pretty good, but there’s no way they can call this song their own.