Play that Island Music!

3,833 views · Published 24 June 2010 · 4:11 · Indexed 13 October 2026

Channel: degcon · 2010 · Music

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This is my entry for the Ukulele Underground/Kanile'a "Spread the Aloha" video contest. It is a parody that I wrote of Wild Cherry's "Play that Funky Music".  The best way I know of to spread Aloha on the ukulele is to play Hawaiian music.  The following is loosely based on my own indoctrination into the best music in the world (IMHO):

Play that Island Music:
(Lyrics)
When I first got to Hawai'i,
I was strictly just a Rock & Roll man.
I thought Hawaiian music,
was something I could not understand.
And then, this sweet wahine,
she took me to the luau show.
and I decided quickly, 
that the music there was no ka oi.

'cause there was hula, and slack key, and 'ukuleles playing
and just when it hit me, some brahdah turned around and shouted,
"Play that island music, haole! Play that island music maika'i! 
Play that island music, haole! Lay down a mele and kanikapila 'til you die!"

(eh brah, come, we go beach...) 
(blazin' uke solo - recognize the tune?)

At first it wasn't easy,
that mid-west blood was in my veins.
I got lost in Honolulu,
'cause I couldn't read the street sign names.
now it's so much better ( eh, mo' bettah!)
I'm kama'aina in every way,
'cause I always keep that feeling,
of pau hana on Aloha Friday's

Where there is hula, and slack key, and 'ukuleles playing
and just when it hit me, some brahdah turned around and shouted,
"Play that island music, haole! Play that island music maika'i! 
Play that island music, haole! Lay down a mele and kanikapila 'til you die!

Play that Island Music...

Aloha to go! Download an MP3 of this song at: http://www.box.net/shared/h9tq2fhf1j

Translations brought to you by Haoles Anonymous:

Wahine: lady, female 
No ka oi: number one, the best
Luau: Hawaiian feast
Hula: Hawaiian dance
Slack Key:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slack-key_guitar
Haole: Not local Hawaiian person, foreigner
Maika'i : good, well
Mele: Song, anthem, story or chant
Kanikapila : Play Hawaiian kine music with your friends, song fest, jam session
Kama'aina: child of the land, native born Hawaiian, local person
Pau hana: finish work, quitting time 
Aloha Friday: Local expression similar to TGIF,  the practice of leaving work early on Friday's 'cause what's the point of living in paradise if you're stuck in the office?

Mahalo nui loa to my cameraman. Check him out at http://www.youtube.com/stupidmorrissey

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