Iko Iko feat. Dr. John, members of Grateful Dead + more | Playing For Change | Song Around The World

We're happy to share our Song Around The World version of the New Orleans classic and Mardi Gras favorite, "Iko Iko." This song features Dr. John in one of his last known recordings, along with the Grateful Dead's Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, New Orleans' luminaries Ivan Neville, Donald Harrison, and George Porter, Jr., and more. Uniting musicians from Central Africa’s Congo to New Orleans’ Congo Square, this video serves to reconnect hearts and minds around the world through music.
In loving memory of Dr. John (1941 -2019)
Written by: James Crawford, Barbara Hawkins, Rosa Hawkins and Joan Johnson
Music produced by: Mark Johnson and Kentyah Fraser
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Playing For Change (PFC) is a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music, born from the shared belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. The primary focus of PFC is to record and film musicians performing in their natural environments and combine their talents and cultural power in innovative videos called Songs Around The World. Creating these videos motivated PFC to form the Playing For Change Band-a tangible, traveling representation of its mission, featuring musicians met along their journey; and establish the Playing For Change Foundation-a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting music programs for children around the world. Through these efforts, Playing For Change aims to create hope and inspiration for the future of our planet.
To learn more about the work of the PFC Foundation, visit www.playingforchange.org

[@user-bh4ge1pm2t]

This is what World Beat is all about. Take a good song, send it to all parts of the globe, and record what comes back.

[@JimmyNails27]

4 years gone but never forgotten. Rest in Power Dr. John. And Bonne Mardi Gras my friends

[@shahrukhalimirza4470]

Rest in Peace Doctor John. The world misses you.

[@alittlegreenjean]

i can't believe he died so long ago.

[@ccjmanray8202]

Certainly, I do.

[@rocketrose2165]

Mac was the most generous musicians I ever met. Miss him to this day.

[@davecannon4431]

Nice to see Ivan Neville still in the game!

[@kurtputerbaugh8667]

@@alittlegreenjean I

[@steveresa2342]

I just can't see enough of these world-music classics. So much musical talent in every corner of the world, and it is visually stunning.

[@buffalothief]

AGREED!!! I share them with my students all the time--especially the ones with the Arts and Turnaround schools (I teach preservice teachers). So uplifting! Healing power of music and the arts!!!

[@larissashirley7524]

How did we grow up listening to these wonderful songs in the early 70s but they are a nearly lost art today. Thanks for bringing them back to their glory.

[@pamelajoy67]

Amazing! I love Playing for Change!

[@p.socoski8731]

The only thing wrong with this song is that it ends.

[@glennclarke9442]

Yep!

[@mousiebrown1747]

But the Second Line goes on....

[@freakbennett2263]

and on, jűs sāyīn !😎✌️😎!

[@jamescolpas]

R.I.P. DR JOHN thank you for all the wonderful music you will be missed❤❤❤

[@donaldpalmer5859]

Mickey playing the beam like nobodies business and Billy just grooving out as always.

[@user-xy8ph1fk3r]

with music With the belief that we can change the world. People who sing love and hope. When I listen to Playing For Change, I want to volunteer, too.

[@kurtsaxton823]

These are the best produced videos ever, RIP Dr John we miss you on the Gulf Coast. NOLA will never be the same.

[@normitos]

From Nola, this is not a Dr J song it is from the Dixie Cups.

[@kurtsaxton823]

@@normitos I know that, didn't say it was. Just a shout out seeing he is featured in the video.

[@davebeach2343]

Our society's musical world won't ever be the same. He was my first introduction to the joyous musical world in NOLA. I've loved him since 1969 seeing him on Don Kirshners rock concert when I was 11.

[@kevinegan8956]

@@normitos We can still miss him!

[@charlesbradshaw8673]

Dr. John, you will be missed by many, play them some good tunes in heaven brother.

[@enorton335]

RIP Art, Charles and Doctor John. 3 Great NOLA legends who are sorely missed!

[@Giles29]

Grandpa Elliot now too. The passing of an age, it seems.

[@brianthomas2434]

Watching this again to see Dr. John. We miss you, Mack!

[@dellamcgowan7502]

That was just fabulous. Dr John has left an everlasting legacy for the world to share & these talented people from around the world have brought all of us watching, grooving & singing together. Wasn’t it fun? Going to replay it immediately!

[@terrym5023]

Thanks for a bright 🌞 spot in a kinda dark world lately....

[@RobC-jp8bw]

Still the same FIRE that burns like hell to get the positivity into the hearts of the ones fortunate enough to hear it

[@elizabethharttley4073]

Played it to watch, played again to listen, ah hell play it again to sing along. Well done

[@janetownley]

One more time to dance ! 😊

[@joshuamarsella]

Seeing these beautiful people from all corners of the world come together to play music gives me chills and brings me to tears.

[@roseartspoonbill477]

From The Congo to Congo Square...amazing!!

[@Voo504Doo]

Much love from New Orleans . Sitting on Claiborne right now on my lunch break. Nothing like the heart of this city and the diversity of culture found nowhere else in the world .

[@kurtsaxton823]

So true, I've lived there on and off since 1985. I now live in Gulfport Mississippi but still go there quite often.

[@carolinaerickson4903]

Your beautiful state is on my wish list and hopefully I will visit it soooooon!

[@crazymissamy]

This song gets better every time I watch ❤

[@atiredfloridian777]

The perfect tribute. Godspeed, good Doctor.

[@JohnnyBeegood1]

Possibly the best version of Iko Iko ever. The village drummers and dancers are joyous. 😍 😍🎼🥁🥁🥁 🎹 🎷 🎺 🎸 🎻 ☮️ ☮️ ☮️

[@paulinwoburn9680]

I was thinking the same thing..

[@sandraragole2411]

🌬🎸🎵🎶🎶🎵🔥🔥🔥💞

[@user-uz8fl8yn7t]

هن١

[@robg9236]

great music, but I still like the Dixie cups.

[@tonyfrancesco3701]

Certainly 100% in agreement ✌️

[@Myxolydian2001]

Dr. John, PFC, and the quintessential Mardi Gras tune. It don't get no mo Nawlins than this!

[@mousiebrown1747]

Yeah you rite !

[@dldave1978]

I absolutely love Playing For Change videos. Absolutely stunning music. All of it.

[@adaml.8300]

Not enough love for Ivan Neville’s part in the comments. He absolutely killed the vocals.

[@Judedudenkelly2]

Yes he sure did love that love that man to

[@carolinep.m.8979]

I totally agree with you Adam

[@marijotells]

Sho DID!

[@jodyneal4969]

My thoughts exactly

[@neiltrotter5933]

@Adam L.: Yay, I loved (& still do!) the Neville Bros take on Iko Iko / Brother John. Now "Dr John is gone", I guess. I love everything about this video, a work of joy.

[@parthadebbarma9143]

Masterpiece ❤❤❤

[@lulassong6524]

Crying all over the place, so BEAUTIFUL.

[@toreshi8119]

Glad it wasn't just me. 💙

[@jeanengstrom1267]

The Dixie Cups did this ditty in the 60's. Seeing this WAY MORE MUSCULAR rendition elevated it from hum-along/foot tapping to full-on chant and war-dance sing along. (Doc John, we miss ya!). 💖🎶💖

[@guillembg9535]

Misss him ❤

[@effiemooney8477]

Incredible as always!!! ❤❤❤

[@onesjshrk]

I have come back to this PFC video many times...to relive the amazing musical talent, but especially Dr John. I remember distinctly the first time I watched this many, many months ago and the visceral shock to learn at the end that Dr. John had passed. Devastated. I saw him at the Shoreline Amphitheater during the New Orleans By The Bay shows and danced on the stage mere feet away from him. I will never forget that experience...thank you Dr. John for ALL you've brought us and left us with.

[@paulusmarticus]

Happy trails, Dr. John the Night Tripper. Thanks everyone on all continents who join in Playing for Change!

[@user-ut5vn8qf8m]

Ordinary people making magic, beauty, joy and yes, love, love for musique from and to all people !

[@gabrielmcollazo6675]

Rest on Doctor John! and for all I say this!!!! I challenge all world leaders to strive for all out world peace! Why does it have to be war always???? Is it greed??, Empowerment of ego?? or the fact of knowning that we live only once so hell with the rest of us?? I dare them all on all out WORLD PEACE!!!!!! IT STANDS AS IS!! HOW ABOUT IT?? WE need this! Our planet needs it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DanPurdy1]

One good song and many great musicians. Goodness in this world. Dr. John has been a favorite fiordecades.

[@milly5678899]

Wonderful music, musicians, dancers and a great homage to Dr John. I love it!

[@blairsinclair4076]

a talent gone !! RIP Dr John again brilliant on the part of Playing for Change !! bravo

[@nakro101]

Thus channel is amazing in every way. The music and the raw feeling you get from each artist is body piercing.

[@kathysquared]

Thank you for this great version of this song! Dr John would be proud. This makes my heart and every other part of me so happy!

[@kathawanda]

😅

[@jeffbrehove2614]

I think he was proud. He was a part of it after all.

[@thejonegcle7759]

Love Dr. John ... Playing For Change music videos are the absolute BEST

[@shelll9254]

Nothing like musicians playing for change around the world!!!✌️&💗

[@elizabethhjenkins6172]

Rest in peace, Dr.John. What a great talent.

[@alainmatalas3408]

I recently adopted a Rhodesian ridgeback and named him IKO.. i always loved this song and after finding out the origins and meaning it's a perfect fit! RIP Dr.John !!

[@pv3Hpv3p]

Out of all this beautiful awesomeness, Dr. John still shines brightest

[@VCT3333]

Mos scocius!! It's so great to see legends like Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr., Donald Harrison, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart and the Good Doctor who have played this wonderful tune for decades and still played it every time with a Nawlins Joie de vivre. Just great.

[@katerilevasseur8119]

🌺💛🌺 I am French and I use to sing this song as a Very Young Child. Probably 5-6 years old. I NEVER knew where it came from & neither did my family members.,,, until RECENTLY. I found it on a old CINDY LAUPER Vinyl from the 80's that she released. This is where she covered that song..🎆 I always knew the song wasn't French and when my Hubby would hear me sing it, he thought it sounded African..🎇 So funny to think of myself as a 5 year old going around my friends & family singing this classic & having no clue what I'm saying. My guess is that I most likely heard it on the radio back then & it just stuck with me! Still remember all the lyrics and I continue to sing it around the house........lol🐦 🌺Peace & Love to all around the world!

[@djcochondelait1138]

I got to see Dr. John and Cyndi Lauper on the same bill a few years ago, and they played the song together.

[@amyrevere8982]

New Orleans's famous Mardi Gras song! RIP DR.JOHN 🎵🎵IKO IKO ❤️🇺🇸❤️

[@jimwilliams6151]

My dog is named Iko ... he loves this version! Ivan Neville, The Doc, Billy, Mickey plus tons of great musicians ... what's not to love!💀

[@patlatorres7000]

There is SO MUCH damned talent in this video, but for Iko, the props will ALWAYS go to the percussion section! Having heard this song so many times over the last fifty plus years, this version just knocks it out of the park!

[@LucasUmbreit]

Everyone in pain needs this 💊! Loss doesn't exist!

[@Robertahausen]

What a wonderful thing to have come out of a pandemic!!

[@avaleas3664]

what a treat to be blessed with music.....thank you ..R.I.P. Dr John

[@edoneill5708]

Every Playing for Change song\video brings a smile to my face, especially this one !

[@brianbishoff194]

Magnifique!! If we wanted to show a being from another planet what joyous celebration looks like, this video would do nicely.

[@LilyMarsWrites]

The perfect tribute to Dr. John.

[@gabrielmcollazo6675]

" The true nature of change starts from within. Touching people's heart with something they can relate to so they can start on the task before them!" Unfortunally The world has three poisons in their heart as per Buddha. Those are GREED! HATE! and IGNORANCE. WE are all the man in the mirror!...May all men of good will, rest well under their noble brow . God on to all!

[@gregthornton4209]

Aw hell yes! thank you all!!

[@deedee0958]

My Grandma and your Grandma, Sittin' by the fire! Love It!

[@markknopflerisnot]

This is absolutely brilliant.....the energy, the collaboration, the musicians, the vocals, the production and the presentation

[@harpar1028]

SUPERFICIAL.......KIDS STILL STARVING WHILE U DANCE

[@drsss4625]

I'm pleased to say I've seen both dr. John & the Dead both in one lifetime 👌

[@weezerptooie926]

Ditto

[@BlueFlameJay]

Me too!

[@jeffreycrum9023]

@@BlueFlameJay me three

[@JohnnyBeegood1]

Me three. Dr. John & the Dead & Neville Bros -- all of them Kings. ​👑 ​👑 ​👑

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

@@JohnnyBeegood1 Seen the Dead and The Nevilles....never Dr. John:-(

[@imjelo]

Rest in peace Dr. John. Thank you for the music.

[@neoxenia7014]

Dr. John was such a treasure, Miss him dearly.

[@AnnelMartin]

I enjoyed this music from around the world so much and will never Dr. John. Thanks for sharing it.

[@ThePetalumadeadhead]

BIG smile!!!!

[@AAPHomestead]

Music for the soul👋😊

[@jonpetersdronemedia4142]

As per usual, another brilliant composition. Been following PFC for around 10 years now!!

[@beimsteiner]

Much love to all, Dr John is the King, and yes please I'll have me some more Mickey Hart!!!

[@finallybrainunderstood479]

Indeed.,☮️

[@echodelta9]

The beam!

[@sosmra]

One of my faves , great to see all the people from around the world , and the drum core of the GD !

[@christopherdaly1399]

Iko Iko All Day. RIP Dr. John

[@norbertandresen4359]

I love this Song🏖😍💕

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

This is awesome. My very first Dead show was up at Alpine Valley, Wisconsin and the opening song in the first set was Iko Iko.... Brings back fine memories.

[@rackmaster1031]

If I'm not mistaken that would have been June 27th, 1987. The second night of the 3 night run at Alpine. I too was there my friend, tripping balls and loving life. To this day I still have a tye dye from that show that was given to me by a complete stranger. Good times.

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

@@rackmaster1031 Yup, you would be right! I remember it being a beautiful early summer evening... I've been a big fan since 1981, when i was first introduced to their music.... But it wasn't until '87, when they got more mainstream attention, that my friends were willing to see a show... I wished i woulda got to see them earlier, but hey, it was a great 8 year run....saw the 2nd to last show at Soldier Field..............

[@rackmaster1031]

@@CorneiliusLibowitz definitely a beautiful summer night. My friends and I took a train from NJ to Milwaukee and hitchhiked to East Troy. What a magic moment to look back on. That was when the world was still beautiful to me. Glad you were at the show. It was truly a great one. Phil was out of his mind

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

@@rackmaster1031 Wow, back when hitch hiking was somewhat still acceptable.... The Dead provided me with some great memories...lately, i've been listening to complete shows on YT.... But that all said, i've been following Billy Strings' music... BMFS is to me now, like the Dead was to me 30 years ago... He's the future (tho he's doing a 3 day gig with Kreutzmann in Kauai this weekend).....

[@rackmaster1031]

@@CorneiliusLibowitz sweet. I'll have to check that out. Much love my friend

[@ellenmoreiram.5352]

I Love so much this Music! ❤🎵🎶 Thanks thanks so much for this vídeo!! 😊🤗💓👏👏👏 Eu sempre amei essa música desde de criança!! Acho uma música sensacional!! Linda a homenagem ao criador da música!! 💖🎼👏👏👏 Q Deus o tenha! 🙏❤ Muito obrigada pela postagem!! 🤗 Assisti aqui de Fortaleza - Ceará - Brasil! 😊💚💛🎵🎶😘💕👏👏👏

[@debsfaves919]

❤️‍🔥Rest in power, Good Doctor! ❤️‍🔥 Thank you for the healing!

[@hdavis8525]

Good to see Dr.John. This is a joyful romp.

[@gudrunhasivar]

The Playing for Change Foundation I love most, not only for playing the Best Music every, namly Real Soulmusic❤

[@muryllodelg5096]

The best band❤️❤️❤️😍🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@rob1248996]

Have to give a thumbs up with anything with Dr. John in it.

[@thaifold]

The best of my favorites.

[@Dyoumanslps]

Wish you were still here. Good doctor, God bless you!

[@raestrikke]

I've always loved this song; absolutely LOVE the beginning.

[@grassopaolo]

O reencontro, Dr. John um grandeeeee.

[@petersimons8666]

Hello world, still dancing to this , mostley at weddings and sits alonside Zorba , such good fum and yes I can sing the simple stuff, cant do the limbo as I used to but at 71 still give it a crack

[@OttoMack1]

Brilliant. RIP Dr John. Exceptional.

[@bryanluntz1603]

Doc, the Dead, PFC N the others Mahalo🤙

[@gabrielmcollazo6675]

Change is a methamorphic means of continued persistance by the presence on this earth of future generations. It is in them we master our pursuit towards being better than we were! Dr John! two years have passed and you as well as many others before you and after have passed on and so will we all! You are not alone! Rest on DOC! YOLO!

[@rhoadesjerry9696]

RIP, Dr. John. You are sorely missed.

[@ritastile8626]

Riposa in pace! Doctor John e grazie per le sensazioni che ci hai regalato!

[@tempvariable]

Thank you !

[@julieharpa9372]

As beautiful as always 🌈💛

[@stephenrice4554]

Love the feel and the groove . Rest in peace Dr John 👍🇬🇧

[@dirkevans3443]

THAT was F'ing AWESOME Thanks SO much for posting RIP Dr John, You are NOLA to me

[@cherylwatkins4649]

I stumbled upon this channel. I am loving the collective works. Thank you for this beautiful music that spoke to my soul early this morning!

[@Grandtrunk]

Cheryl. I can’t get enough of these videos! Enjoy and peace to you

[@jennyone8829]

Thank you Dr. John 🔥🎈🪶

[@boherupnielsen6355]

Greetings from Denmark. ❤ Embrace out past and love life and the world. ❤❤❤

[@ianjones415]

This is the world in which I want to live

[@thabisomarumoloa4958]

I loooooove music❤️

[@janicedeeter577]

Just in time...dealing with Corp.Thank you from my soul.

[@mousiebrown1747]

Prevail! You can handle this. Strength to you. And gentle hugs. 😊

[@n.ich.t]

...yes love this song - feel the Power of them all - this song make the world better - cheers!

[@damamae950]

Dr. John was magical