Iko Iko

Album: The Big Easy Soundtrack (1965)
Charted: 23 20
Play Video
  • My grandma and your grand-ma were sit-tin' by the fire
    My grandma told your grand-ma "I'm gon-na set your flag on fire

    Talk-in' 'bout, hey now hey now I-ko, I-ko, un-day
    Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, jock-a-mo fee na-né

    Look at my king all dressed in red I-ko, I-ko, un-day
    I bet-cha five dol-lars he'll kill you dead, jock-a-mo fee na-né

    Talk-in' 'bout, hey now hey now I-ko, I-ko, un-day
    Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, jock-a-mo fee na-né

    My flag boy and your flag boy were sit-tin' by the fire
    My flag boy told your flag boy "I'm gon-na set your flag on fire"

    Talk-in' 'bout, hey now hey now I-ko, I-ko, un-day
    Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, jock-a-mo fee na-né

    See that guy all dressed in green I-ko, I-ko, un-day
    He's not a man, he's a lov-in' ma-chine jock-a mo fee na-né

    Talk-in' 'bout, hey now hey now I-ko, I-ko, un-day
    Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, jock-a-mo fee na-né

    Talk-in' 'bout, hey now hey now I-ko, I-ko, un-day
    Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, jock-a-mo fee na-né

    Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, jock-a-mo fee na-né Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Rotcod from OhioI always heard Joko mo fee na nay, was Inject-a morphine all day. Maybe that was hearing it at all those Dead shows in the 80s and 90s.
  • Martha Gotwals from New York, NyMy late sweetheart, Charles Honeyboy Otis, was the original drummer with the Dixie Cups on this song, and he came to NYC with them. Ladies, a lot of the write-ups seem to have made him disappear. It would be great for me and his kids if you could credit him.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 17th 1965, the Dixie Cups performed "Iko Iko" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was at #63 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; four weeks later on May 16th, 1965 it would peak at #20 {for 2 weeks} and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100...
    Between May 1964 and April 1965 the New Orleans trio had five Top 100 records; with one making the Top 10, and that one reached #1*, "Chapel of Love" for three weeks on May 31st, 1964...
    * The first week "Chapel of Love" was at #1, the #2 record was a Lennon-McCartney composition, "Love Me Do" and for its 2nd & 3rd week at #1, another Lennon- McCartney song was at #2, "A World Without Love" by Peter and Gordon.
  • Coffeegod from Brandon, MsIt bears saying that a remake of this by The Belle Stars was featured in 'Rainman'. The Belle Stars were pretty much a one hit wonder as well, at least in the US. The Neville Brothers have recorded it as well as just about every known act to come out of New Orleans. Great song and a good song to sing with your kids.
  • Camille from Toronto, OhCyndi Lauper also made a recording of this song which appeared on her albumn, "True Colors".
  • Jac from Miami, United States"Iko" is "suck the bone" good! (This is meant as an incredibly POSITIVE compliment.) Thank you for the info. Would like more scoop on the derivation and writer's intent regarding the lirics.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

Cy Curnin of The Fixx

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.