History of Yellow Bird - Harry Belafonte, Lawrence Welk, Kingston Trio

Yellow Bird was first recorded in 1957, but existed in other variations before that. Here are some early illustrations.
1) Kingston Trio - Yellow Bird
2) Harry Belafonte - Don't Ever Love Me - 1957 LP "Belafonte Sings Of the Caribbean", and on single with Mama Looka Booboo.
3) Lawrence Welk - Yellow Bird - 1961 hit

People say that Harry Belafonte recorded and popularized this song. What has been lost in the years is that he recorded a different variation not titled Yellow Bird, but Don't Ever Love Me. But he worked closely with Norman Luboff, and led him to create the modern version of Yellow Bird in 1957. The Luboff Choir had it on a 1957 LP Calypso Holiday, the first recording of Yellow Bird. And I expect that's the Luboff Choir backing Belafonte here.
They were both on RCA.
The melody is based on the West Indian song Petit Oiseaux (Little Bird), later to become Choucoune. Apparently Choucoune was on an LP by Nina and Frederick. I haven't heard Choucoune yet. If you have it place it as a video response.
Harry Belafonte had everything to do with bringing all this together in the 1950s.
Yellow Bird charted three times in the US:
The Mills Brothers #70 1959, Arthur Lyman #4 1961, Welk #71 1961.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• pop
• calypso
• 1950s

[wonderingstar1936]

Yellow bird is the sound of the classic movie "Son of fury" 1942 with Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, George Sanders. personally I don't like all the versions here in Youtube. I have two for me the most fantastic versions ever made of Yellow bird.

[GeoSilverMore]

They must have used the melody from old versions of the folk song. Sounds interesting.

[jackr2010]

This music is a traditional Haitian folk song that called Ti'zwazso "little bird". Harry Belafonte made the original English version "yellow bird". I love this song. It reminded me of my childhood.

[chris68167]

wonderful

[animefanfreak4u]

my grandmother recently passes away and they played this at the funeral. it brought tears of happiness to everyones eyes. she loved this song so much seh even named her dog after it

[maurice935]

@25centQuarter It is spelled garbage

[25centQuarter]

Sure beats the garbgage that heard today

[Mollywoo18]

@orosol Haitian hun x I agree why not just enjoy it. My husband has ruined many a good song by telling me what it is all about - I could cheerfully throttle him at times ;o)

My Dad used to sing this to me when I was little. First a stroke robbed him of his voice them pancreatic cancer robbed him of his life, almost a year ago. I miss him so so much and would give anything to hear him sing this song. He had a beautiful voice.

[orosol]

I don't understand how narrowed minded people, may narrow a piece of music that is so beutiful, to political discussion, why just don't enjoy and relax, if there is heavenly music this piece is part of it. This is a real master piece. The first time I listen to it I understood it was part of Jamaican's folklor.

[kalisgram]

@wonderingstar1936 

[kalisgram]

@wonderingstar1936 where are your versions .. can I hear them?

[beenn15]

This brings back memories. My grandmother used to sing this song in creole when I as a kid.

[RJKT1]

@GSMusicMoments I am sorry I don't remember .