A few years ago a national poll conducted by the

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) determined that Eric Donaldson’s

This is the Land Of My Birth was the

all-time favourite festival song since the competition’s inception in 1966. Many

people have their favourites and over the years several outstanding artistes

have emerged due to this national platform, going on to become household names

in their own right.

So what makes a tune worthy of being called a festival

song? For some it’s the patriotic lyrics, others say it is the feeling of nostalgia

it may evoke while many feel it is the good old mento flavour and vibe that

makes you want to get up and dance. One thing we all can agree on, a good

festival song should make your heart swell with so much pride that you feel

like that organ will burst out of your chest.

Check out the songs that made the cut and let us know

in the comments if you agree.

1.  Pomp and Pride by Toots and the Maytals

(1972)

2. Give Thanks

and Praises by Roy Rayon (1987)

3. Cherry Oh Baby by Eric Donaldson (1971)

4. Born

Jamaican by the Astronauts (1979)

5. Sweet and Dandy

by Toots and the Maytals (1969)

6. Play The Music by Tinga Stewart (1974)

7. Come Sing with Me by Stanley and The Turbines (1980)

8. Intensified/

Music Like Dirt by Desmond Dekker (1968)

9. Nuh Wey Nuh Better

than Yard by Tinga Stewart (1981)

10. Mek We Put Things

Right Heather Grant (1992)

11. Fi We Island

a Boom by Stanley Beckford (2000)

12. Jamaica

I’ll Never Leave You Again by Ras Karbi (1983)

13 Proud to be

Jamaican by Eric Donaldson (1984)

14. Mek We Jam

by the Astronauts (1982)

15. This is the Land of My Birth by Eric Donaldson (1978)