We lost one of my own personal musical heroes on Sunday. The passing of Slinger Francisco (aka Mighty Sparrow) at the age of 91 brings to an end a magnificent 70 year career that started with "Jean And Dinah" in 1956.
Sparrow was as adept at political and social commentary as he was at double (and sometimes single) entendres. In my opinion, as a lyricist his catalogue compares with any of your Bobs and Bruces or your Coles and Noels (that's Porter and Coward, not Lloyd and Gallagher). Don't let the bouncy backbeat persuade you otherwise.
This is not the first time there have been reports of Sparrow's death, as the penultimate selection explains. Sadly this time they are true.
"Jean And Dinah" - Mighty Sparrow
"English Diplomacy" - Mighty Sparrow
"Phillip My Dear" - Mighty Sparrow
"Capitalism Gone Mad" - Mighty Sparrow
"Sparrow Dead" - Mighty Sparrow
"Memories" - Mighty Sparrow
Sparrow did a nifty line in cover versions as well. In fact his biggest hit in Europe was a rendition of "Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart" which topped the Dutch charts in 1978. Here he is in 1996 having a bit of fun crooning some tunes you'll all know.
RIP Sparrow, the mightiest of them all.
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