Six time winner Eric Donaldson.

There was a time in Jamaica when the annual Festival Song Contest was an event eagerly anticipated by the entire country, man, woman and child.

This was a time when the lyrics captured the festive occasions of Jamaica's independence and emancipation celebrations. The contestants toured the entire island and the songs were extensively aired on the radio (and later television), in the dancehalls and bars in every nook and cranny of the island.

People everywhere could sing most of those songs that were in the top ten. Nowadays, after the festive season has passed people are asking questions as to whether there was a competition and who was the winner.

Iconic songs

Apart from having a festive beat, a number of the songs had lyrics pertaining to the struggles the country was going through and hopes for the future.

Caught in the throes of patriotic ecstasy, some artistes, while singing the praises of this fair isle, promised not to leave and some not to migrate. And, predictably, before the ink was dry on the record label, they had migrated to another country!

Those were the days! We cannot forget iconic festive songs like Bam Bam by Toots and the Maytals, the first winners in 1966.

These were followed in ensuing years by Baba Boom by the Jamaicans, Intensified by Desmond Decker and the Aces and Sweet And Dandy by Toots and the Maytals, just to name a few.

The procession of fine songs continued with Boom Shakalaka by Hopeton Lewis in 1970, Cherry Oh Baby by Eric Donaldson in 1971 and Pomps And Pride by then third-time winner, Toots and the Maytals in 1972.

All these songs and many others have cemented themselves in our culture, some identifying with the deep struggle our forefathers went throught so we could gain our 'freedom'.

One in particular, Cherry Oh Baby, stands out in my mind. I truly believe that something more needs to be said about this mega hit. It was played with a slower beat and for all intents and purposes represents a love song.

However, the exceptional vocals of Eric Donaldson and its catchy beat ensured its success. Lest we forget, the rhythm was also re-released in the early 1990s and several prominent Jamaican artistes including, Tony Rebel and Mad Cobra, had songs on it. Some of those songs were vey popular among Jamaicans.

Other popular festival winners included songs like Play The Music by Tinga Stewart in 1974, Sweet Jamaica also by Eric Donaldson in 1977, Give Thanks And Praises by Roy Rayon in 1987 and Fi Wi Island A Boom by Stanley Beckford in 2000.

Century jinx

However, it is my belief that the new century must have brought with it a jinx on the festival song competition because early into this period the programme seemed to have nosedived. Not only were good quality songs hard to come by, but the situation may have been helped along by officialdom.

Some genius came up with the utopian idea to rename the contest the Jamaica Popular Song Competition.

This suggests that emphasis was shifted from being a festival song to a popular one ... in effect putting a damper on this much-loved competition.

And, after other changes, good sense prevailed when it reverted to its original name in 2008.

It should be pointed out that the competition has been plagued by a number of allegations of 'foul' play over the years. People were said to be 'rented' to make sure that after voting a particular song came out the popular choice at specific venues. I can recall that at one stage in order to restore some credibility, the results had to be entrusted to a national pollster.

However, it is doubtful whether the competition will ever return to its halcyon years, notwithstanding some late attempts. For one, there are at least two other yearly musical competitions which have already overshadowed it. These competitions are heavily sponsored and financing appears to be a major handicap of the national programme.

The task is huge but nothing beats a selfless, genuine try in the national interest.

Questions, comments, observations? You can email me at elgin1225@yahoo.co.uk.