Attila The Hun – ‘Treasury Scandal’

Treasury Scandal is a classic calypso piece from Trinidad by musician Attila the Hun. This piece, like many from the Carribean (for instance, Money Talks), is meant to be a social commentary about the problems facing people in the Carribean. More specifically, Treasury Scandal talks about government corruption and how the government can just “lose” $200,000 without so much as a slap on the wrist because they’ll be “living the life of a millionaire” once they get out of prison. Like other calypso pieces, the song maintains a laid back, happy tone while describing a very serious, devastating issue. The song’s instrumentation consists of “jazz” winds, such as trumpet and clarinet with a lead vocalist. 

I chose this song because I really enjoy old calypso pieces like this one (although Money Talks is my favorite). Coming from history, calypso gives listeners a glimpse into the experience of the time and place where the song was made.