The year 1979 saw many changes of national leadership in countries across the world. These included military leaders, elected leaders, heads of racist regimes and all manner of dictators.

In 1980 the world famous calypso singer and songwriter, the Mighty Sparrow, in a commentary on the year released his famous song 'Wanted Dead or Alive.'  In it he gives a commentary on the year and many of the world leaders who were deposed in some way.

In this project we look back at 1979 through analysing the lyrics of the song (see below) and have produced pages on each of the leaders mentioned and also on some of the countries.

LISTEN: Wanted Dead or Alive - (Soca 101).mp3

Lyrics

The rule of the tyrants decline

The year, 1979

From Uganda to Nicaragua

It's bombs and bullets all the time

So they corrupt, so they vile

So it's coup after coup all the while

Human rights they violate

They thought they were too great

So in disgrace now they live in exile

Gairy is a wanted man

Idi Amin is a wanted man

Shah of Iran fighting hard to survive

He too was wanted dead or alive

Strikes, demonstrations & wars

Injustice is always the cause

Politicians turn too soon from

poor people into tycoons

Corruption must bring horrors

South African Vorster resign in disgrace

Muzurewa take away Ian Smith place

The Uganda devil was easily cat straddled

Beaten up and chased, what a waste.

Gairy is a wanted man

Patrick John is a wanted Man

The Shah of Iran fighting hard to survive

He too is wanted dead or alive

The Shah have a short time to live

Because the Ayatollah don't forgive

When you see church ruling state

With pure vengeance and hate

Situation must be explosive

General Somoza from Nicaragua

Thought it was easy with the Sandanista

With the help of Venezuela, Panama and Cuba

They kick him straight to America

Gairy is a wanted man

Bokassa is a wanted man

Ali Bhutto tried so hard to survive

He too was wanted dead or alive.

Grenadian Mongoose was bad and so brave

The send the old Bishop straight to his grave

After that, well Gairy skip town

With his diary  and him obeah gown

No more people to enslave

Trinidad neighbours all expecting mayhem

Anytime anything could happen to them

Eric Williams taking a back seat to avoid banana

but everyone know he 'fraid Carl

Gairy is a wanted man

Park Chung Hee was a wanted man

Achempong tried so hard to survive

He too was wanted dead or alive