Music Around the World: Anguilla

Let's hop over to the small Caribbean island of Anguilla for the next stop on our musical world tour. The island may be small, but it's packed with personality and is breathtakingly beautiful. Located east of Puerto Rico and north of Saint Martin, this British territory encompasses a total of eight islands. Here's some Quick Facts if you, like me, have never been able to visit:

-Capital City: The Valley

-Official Languages: English

-Government: Parliamentary dependency under a constitutional monarchy, currently under the leadership of Queen Elizabeth II and Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam

-While they seceded and gained their independence from Great Britain in July 1967, British control was restored in March 1969

-Land Area: 35 square miles (not included in world ranking)

-Population: 14,731 estimated as of 2018 (not included in world ranking)

-Religion: 22.7% Anglican, 19.4% Methodist, 10.5% Pentecostal, 8.3% Seventh Day Adventist, 7.1% Baptist, 6.8% Catholic, 4.9% Church of God, 1.1% Jehovah's Witness, 0.1% Plymouth Brethren, 0.2% Presbyterian, 4.5% no religious affiliation (as of 2011)

-Drive on the left side of the road

Anguillian music is heavily influenced by neighboring islands in the Caribbean and manifests itself mainly in the genres of reggae, calypso, soca (a sort of blend of calypso, African, and East Indian rhythms), and country (a unique genre to Anguilla as most of the other Caribbean islands don't pay as much attention to it). I went into research this past week with a preconceived notion that Anguillian music would be rather chill with it being an island and all, I have to say I was right. Let's go ahead and dive in!

God Bless Anguilla - Alan B. Campbell Orchestra (composer unknown)

Since Anguilla is a British territory, the official national anthem is God Save the Queen, but God Bless Anguilla is considered the national song or official local anthem of the islands. I've really loved exploring the national songs of all of these different countries and seeing national pride in where these people live. God Bless Anguilla is no exception - its citizens are proud to say they're from there.

God bless Anguilla, nurture and keep her/Noble and beauteous, she stands midst the sea/Oh, land of the happy, a haven we’ll make thee/Our lives and love we give unto thee/With heart and soul, we’ll build a nation proud, strong, and free/We’ll love her, hold her dear to our hearts for eternity/Let truth and light our banner be, we’ll march ever on

Still in Paradise by Bankie Banx (composer unknown)

Clement Banks, better known as Bankie Banx or the Anguillian Bob Dylan, recently celebrated his 67th birthday and has enjoyed a 54 year musical career thus far. Everything I read labeled him as Anguilla's most famous musician, and he's done a good job making a name for himself. While his primary genre is reggae, Banx has experimented with folk, R&B, and jazz and being described by many as a mixture of two of the most famous Bob's in music history: Dylan & Marley. He's released 10 studio albums since 1978 and has gotten to perform with the likes of Bob Dylan and Jimmy Buffett. His song Still in Paradise, featured on his 1999 album of the same name, was really nice and relaxing to listen to in classic beach music form. He's actually performed this song with Jimmy Buffett as a duet, which can be found on Buffett's 2007 album Live in Anguilla.

I got stuck in paradise, I’m free in my head/Changed my attitude and my head’s turned dred/I just met Mickey Maloney on the beach down the shore/Said to call him in New York and come knock on some doors/I thought it was kind, it’s not on my mind/I’m sitting here, doing some quality time

Around the World by Pantha Vibes International (composer unknown)

I couldn't find a lot of background information on this music group from Anguilla, but what I do know is that this song was a lot of fun to listen to. Featured on the 2015 compilation album Songs of Anguilla, this single is high energy and impossible not to move to when you listen to it. I wasn't able to find a good transcription of the lyrics, but definitely give it a listen wherever you stream music because it's dope.

Give these songs a listen this week - it's a shorter list than normal but the quality is just as high as the others, I can promise you that. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!