In her newly released calypso, Ah Nation on Medication, Shirlanee Hendrickson offers a deceptively simple yet piercing reflection on Trinidadian life. The song's message is basic: she states that every nation has its problems, but in Trinidad, we meet ours with a peculiar mix of complaint, humor, and resignation. The production by Jr. Soy Production Studios is lively and foot-tapping, making this one a song that will eventually 'creep up on you!'
She explains that this is a Trini thing and that “we like it so.” It’s a well-known Trini phrase about how we complain about just everything on a daily basis—griping about issues yet accepting them as part of the rhythm of daily life. Rather than dramatize or despair, the singer frames the nation’s response as one of quiet endurance, likening it to taking a Tylenol or Panadol. As simple as the message is, the idea is clear: medication dulls the pain but doesn’t cure the cause, and in the same way, society finds ways to cope without demanding any major attitude change.
This calypso is not about grand solutions or fiery protest. Instead, it mirrors the everyday attitude of “such is life.” It’s a commentary on resilience, but also on complacency—how a people can normalize dysfunction while still finding joy in the music, the humor, and the shared experience of survival. C'est la vie!
Shirlanee’s delivery is light; the video makes everything look humorous with contorted facial expressions, making the message resonate beyond politics or policy. A simple song? Listening to her rendition, one may think so, but listen carefully and you will understand that it is a reminder that calypso thrives not only on sharp satire but also on capturing the subtle ironies of Caribbean living.
Ah Nation on Medication is a mirror held up to Trinidadian society: witty, understated, and deeply familiar. It asks us to reflect on whether our coping mechanisms are a strength or a weakness—and whether “liking it so” is a cultural badge of resilience or a symptom of deeper malaise.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Ah Nation on Medication
Artist/Performed by: Shirlane Hendrickson
Written by: Pending
Produced by: Jr. Soy Productions Studios
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Calypso 🎶
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