Mardi Gras is synonymous with vibrant parades, colorful beads, and infectious music that gets everyone dancing in the streets of New Orleans. The right songs can transform any gathering into an authentic carnival celebration, blending traditional brass band sounds with contemporary beats that define the unique musical culture of Louisiana. Whether you’re planning a Fat Tuesday party, attending a parade, or simply want to capture the spirit of Mardi Gras season, these 20 tracks represent essential anthems that have soundtracked celebrations for generations while welcoming fresh new voices into the tradition.
Carnival Time – Al Johnson
Al Johnson’s “Carnival Time” stands as the definitive Mardi Gras anthem, recorded in 1960 with Dr. John on piano. This song didn’t catch on immediately but has since become a standard that signals the official start of carnival season for New Orleans residents. The infectious lyrics about Claiborne Street rocking “from one side to the other” perfectly capture the street party atmosphere, making it impossible to experience an authentic Mardi Gras without hearing this track multiple times throughout the festivities.
Go to the Mardi Gras – Professor Longhair
Professor Longhair first recorded this essential carnival song in 1949, creating the blueprint for New Orleans Mardi Gras music with his rumba-boogie piano style. The song’s gentle encouragement to visit New Orleans and “see the Mardi Gras” has welcomed countless visitors to the city’s celebrations over seven decades. Longhair’s unique blend of Caribbean rhythms and blues laid the foundation for much of the funk and R&B that would define New Orleans music, making this track historically significant beyond its catchy melody.
Mardi Gras Mambo – The Hawketts
Released in 1954 by The Hawketts, a high school R&B band featuring a young Art Neville, this immediate hit brought rock and roll energy to Mardi Gras celebrations. The song’s lyrics about LaSalle and Rampart Street where “the combo’s there with a mambo beat” root it firmly in New Orleans geography and culture. The Meters, led by Art Neville, would later record their own version in 1976, showing how this classic transcends generations and continues to evolve while maintaining its essential carnival spirit.
Iko Iko – The Dixie Cups
Originally recorded as “Jock-A-Mo” by James “Sugar Boy” Crawford in 1954, this Mardi Gras Indian chant became a pop culture phenomenon when The Dixie Cups recorded it in 1964. The story behind the recording is legendary: the singers were simply playing around with drumsticks on ashtrays when producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller captured the rhythm on tape. The call-and-response chant “Jock-a-mo fee-no ah-na-nay” comes from the battles between Mardi Gras Indian tribes, preserving an important cultural tradition in one of the most recognizable carnival songs ever recorded.
Hey Pocky A-Way – The Meters
The Meters brought their signature funk sound to Mardi Gras traditions with this 1974 masterpiece inspired by Mardi Gras Indian street chants. The infectious groove captures what many describe as the bohemian essence of Mardi Gras, earning love from The Grateful Dead and countless other musicians who appreciate its deep pocket rhythm. The title comes from early Native American vernacular meaning “get out of my way,” reflecting the competitive spirit of Mardi Gras Indian processions while creating an irresistible dance track.
When the Saints Go Marching In – Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong’s legendary rendition transformed this Christian hymn into a joyous celebration anthem that embodies the spirit of New Orleans. Originally performed at a slow tempo for funerals, Armstrong’s 1938 recording brought energy and celebration to the song, making it the most closely associated track with Mardi Gras parades and New Orleans culture in general. No brass band performance is complete without this classic, and you’ll hear it played countless times during carnival season by both traditional and contemporary ensembles.
Second Line
This instrumental track captures the essence of New Orleans’ unique funeral and celebration tradition where crowds dance behind brass bands through neighborhood streets. Interestingly, session musicians created this recording in the 1970s after discovering no existing recording of the popular street performance existed. The song needs no lyrics because the rhythm itself tells the story of the second line tradition, where mourners transform grief into celebration through dance and music.
Do Whatcha Wanna – Rebirth Brass Band
Rebirth Brass Band’s signature song has become synonymous with the freedom and uninhibited celebration that defines Mardi Gras philosophy. Formed in 1983, the band has remained at the forefront of New Orleans’ modern brass band scene for over four decades with this track as their calling card. The powerful horn arrangements combined with the message of doing whatever you want perfectly encapsulates the carnival spirit, making it a staple at parades and street celebrations throughout the season.
Bourbon Street Parade – Preservation Hall Jazz Band
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been keeping traditional New Orleans jazz alive since 1961, and this track showcases the authentic sound of the French Quarter’s musical heritage. Featuring classic instrumentation of trumpet, trombone, clarinet, and rhythm section, the song provides an essential connection to the jazz roots that gave birth to Mardi Gras musical traditions. While focused on preservation, their performances remain vibrant and relevant, ensuring new generations understand the foundations of carnival music.
Come Back – Trombone Shorty
From Trombone Shorty’s 2023 album “Lifted,” this modern track represents the evolution of Mardi Gras music into the contemporary era. The song captures the explosive energy of his legendary live shows while combining classic New Orleans sounds like funk, gospel, and second line rhythms with modern production. Trombone Shorty, also known as Troy Andrews, grew up in New Orleans’ Tremé neighborhood and carries forward the city’s musical legacy while pushing it into new territory that appeals to both traditionalists and modern music fans.
Lifted – Trombone Shorty
The title track from Trombone Shorty’s 2023 album lands somewhere between Earth, Wind & Fire and his former tour mate Lenny Kravitz, delivering pure hard-charging funk about love’s grip. This electrifying song features huge guitars and sneering horns alongside Shorty’s virtuoso trombone playing, showing how Mardi Gras music continues to evolve. Whether you’re enjoying this through premium headphones or blasting it at a party, the track’s high-octane energy perfectly encapsulates the spirit of modern carnival celebrations.
Everybody In The World – Trombone Shorty featuring New Breed Brass Band
This uplifting collaboration from the “Lifted” album finds common ground in our universal desire for love and acceptance while maintaining authentic New Orleans brass band traditions. The New Breed Brass Band, led by Shorty’s nephew Jenard Andrews, brings traditional second line energy to this contemporary track. The combination of Trombone Shorty’s modern approach with New Breed’s street-tested brass band sound creates a bridge between generations of Mardi Gras music.
This Black Girl – Tank and the Bangas
Released in December 2024, this powerful spoken word track from Tank and the Bangas’ Grammy-nominated album “The Heart, The Mind, The Soul” brings contemporary New Orleans energy to Mardi Gras playlists. Lead vocalist Tarriona “Tank” Ball calls it “one of the best poems in history,” as it celebrates the beauty and transformative power of Black womanhood. The band’s unique fusion of funk, soul, hip-hop, and spoken word represents the latest evolution of New Orleans music, proving carnival traditions remain vibrant and continue to address modern themes.
Quick – Tank and the Bangas
This track won Tank and the Bangas the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest, launching them to national prominence and introducing their unique New Orleans sound to a wider audience. NPR’s Bob Boilen praised the organic interactions among lead singer Tank and her bandmates that made the performance feel spontaneous and joyful. The band’s lively fusion of funk, soul, hip-hop, and spoken word captures the contemporary spirit of New Orleans celebrations, making it perfect for modern Mardi Gras parties that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Cassanova – Rebirth Brass Band
This blaring, bouncy funk instrumental from Rebirth Brass Band reworks LeVert’s 1987 “Casanova” into pure New Orleans brass band energy. The Grammy Award-winning band transforms the R&B track into something completely New Orleans-ified, demonstrating how brass bands adapt contemporary music to fit carnival traditions. The infectious rhythm makes you feel like you’re walking in a Mardi Gras parade, and the track’s all-ages appeal ensures it remains a favorite across generations.
Funky Miracle – Rebirth Brass Band
Rebirth Brass Band demonstrates their mastery on this high-energy track that blends traditional brass band instrumentation with contemporary funk and hip-hop influences. The extended instrumental sections allow each band member to showcase virtuosity while maintaining the collective groove that defines great brass band music. This track represents over four decades of evolution in the brass band scene, showing how the form continues to stay relevant while honoring its roots.
Mr. Big Stuff – Kermit Ruffins & Rebirth Brass Band
This collaboration between vocalist Kermit Ruffins and Rebirth Brass Band brings a brass band arrangement to Jean Knight’s classic 1971 funk hit. Ruffins, a legendary New Orleans trumpeter who was a founding member of Rebirth, brings his distinctive vocals to this carnival favorite. The brass band treatment transforms the already-funky original into something perfect for Mardi Gras parades, demonstrating how New Orleans musicians continually reinterpret classics through their unique musical lens.
Come Down To New Orleans – Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Big Sam’s Funky Nation invites listeners directly to the Crescent City with this energetic invitation to experience Mardi Gras firsthand. Led by trombonist Big Sam Williams, the band combines traditional brass band elements with contemporary funk and hip-hop in ways that feel both rooted and forward-thinking. This track captures the welcoming spirit of New Orleans, where visitors are invited to join the celebration and experience the unique musical culture that makes Mardi Gras special.
Zydeco Mardi Gras – C.J. Chenier
C.J. Chenier brings the Cajun and Zydeco traditions of Louisiana into the Mardi Gras celebration with this accordion-driven track. Zydeco music, with its African-Creole roots, represents an essential part of Louisiana’s musical heritage that extends beyond New Orleans into the bayou regions. The upbeat rhythm from washboards and accordions provides a different flavor to carnival celebrations, reminding listeners that Mardi Gras traditions vary across Louisiana with each region contributing its own musical character.
Sweet Home New Orleans – Dr. John
The Night Tripper himself, Dr. John (Mac Rebennack), celebrates his beloved city with this heartfelt tribute that captures both the joy and resilience of New Orleans. His distinctive gravelly vocals and swamp-funk piano style bring a touch of voodoo mysticism to Mardi Gras celebrations. This track works perfectly for moments when you want to appreciate the deeper meaning of carnival traditions and the city that keeps them alive through all challenges.
Mardi Gras music represents more than just party tracks—it embodies the cultural richness, historical resilience, and joyful spirit of New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole. From Professor Longhair’s pioneering rumba-boogie piano to Trombone Shorty’s contemporary fusion and Tank and the Bangas’ spoken word innovations, these 20 songs span seven decades of carnival celebrations. Whether you’re dancing in the streets of the French Quarter, hosting your own Fat Tuesday party, or exploring different types of songs through quality earbuds, these tracks will ensure your celebration captures the authentic spirit of Mardi Gras. The music continues to evolve while maintaining the essential elements that make carnival season one of the world’s greatest musical celebrations, proving that good times will keep rolling for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good Mardi Gras song?
Authentic Mardi Gras songs typically feature brass instrumentation, infectious rhythms that inspire dancing, and lyrics or themes connected to New Orleans culture and carnival traditions. Many classics incorporate elements of jazz, funk, R&B, and brass band music with syncopated rhythms that originated in the city’s unique cultural melting pot. The best Mardi Gras tracks make it impossible to stand still and create an irresistible urge to join the collective celebration that defines carnival season.
Are there modern artists creating new Mardi Gras music?
Yes, contemporary artists like Trombone Shorty, Tank and the Bangas, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and New Breed Brass Band continue creating music that honors Mardi Gras traditions while incorporating modern influences like hip-hop, rock, and contemporary production techniques. Trombone Shorty’s 2023 album “Lifted” and Tank and the Bangas’ 2024 Grammy-winning album “The Heart, The Mind, The Soul” prove that New Orleans music remains vibrant and continues to evolve. These artists grew up in the city’s rich musical culture and bring authenticity to their work while pushing the sound forward for new generations.
Why does Professor Longhair appear on so many Mardi Gras playlists?
Professor Longhair (Roy “Baldhead” Byrd) created the foundation of modern New Orleans piano playing and his influence on the city’s music cannot be overstated. His unique rumba-boogie style, which blended Caribbean rhythms with blues and boogie-woogie, created the rhythmic template for much of the funk and R&B that followed. Songs like “Go to the Mardi Gras” and “Tipitina” have become so essential to carnival celebrations that they’re played constantly throughout the season by musicians of all generations.
What role do brass bands play in Mardi Gras celebrations?
Brass bands are the heartbeat of Mardi Gras, providing live music for parades, second lines, and street celebrations throughout carnival season. These ensembles typically feature trumpets, trombones, saxophones, sousaphone, and percussion, creating powerful sound that can be heard blocks away and draws crowds to join the procession. Modern brass bands like Rebirth have updated traditional sounds with funk and hip-hop influences while maintaining the essential community celebration spirit that defines New Orleans music and makes Mardi Gras unique.
Can I celebrate Mardi Gras authentically outside New Orleans?
Absolutely, you can capture the spirit of Mardi Gras anywhere by embracing authentic music, traditional foods, and carnival customs. Playing genuine Mardi Gras music from artists like Louis Armstrong, The Meters, Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, and Tank and the Bangas creates the right atmosphere for celebration. Incorporating traditional elements like king cake, purple-green-and-gold decorations, festive costumes, and encouraging guests to embrace the “laissez les bons temps rouler” (let the good times roll) philosophy helps capture carnival spirit regardless of location.