‘You wake up one day and a song you wrote nearly 30 years ago has 10 million+ views... Whut?!’ — Ryan Cayabyab

Over the weekend, a clip of the Baylor University Men’s Choir singing Ryan Cayabyab’s “Da Coconut Nut” on a plane went viral.

Of course it caught on with the maestro responsible for the song. On Facebook, Ryan Cayabyab was equal parts candid and informative in his reaction to the song.

“You wake up one day and a song you wrote nearly 30 years ago has 10 million+ views on the Internet in three days. Whut?!’ he began, before adding “It is ripe for its time.”

It was the Maestro who informed everyone that hey, the choir has been singing the song for seven years now—as in since 2010!

Apparently, “Da Coconut Nut” is a favorite among select American choirs, after Japan-based American conductor and arranger Randy Stenson got in touch with Cayabyab in 2008. “He narrated that he heard the song performed by an adult SATB [Soprano Alto Tenor Bass] choir in Hawaii and that he was interested in doing a TTBB adaptation.”

One thing led to another until in July 2008, when a publishing deal went through.
Cool no? Says Cayabyab, he channeled Yoyoy Villame’s spirit and style when he wrote the song, originally performed by The Smokey Mountain. — LA/KVD, GMA News