Jeff Barry
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Montego Bay

Jeff Barry has been fascinated by Afro-Caribbean sounds ever since he and Ellie Greenwich honeymooned in Jamaica back in October of 1962.  They first showed up in his songs that same year (Della Reese's "Blow Out The Sun" and Tony Mitchell's "Write Me A Letter"), but the general public first heard their influence on him in "Iko Iko," the 1965 Dixie Cups hit that he produced.  Later, Jeff would employ Caribbean rhythms to spice up Andy Kim numbers like "How'd We Ever Get This Way" and tropical-flavored Archies records like "Sunshine."  The single he wrote and produced for Ron Dante in 1970, "Let Me Bring You Up" has a very heavy island influence.  However, if you want to talk about reggae and calypso-tinged Jeff Barry songs, nothing surpasses the Bobby Bloom classic, "Montego Bay."  The lyric, co-written by Jeff and Bobby, alludes to the latter's experiences while vacationing in the islands.  Jimmy Buffett makes a living out of singing this kind of tune, which is basically a travelogue set to music.  Can't you almost taste the mangos and papaya?  Bobby's gruff "Smokey Bear" vocal provides the perfect counterpoint to this lighthearted number, which was later covered successfully by British group Amazulu.  Jeff and Bobby are the only musicians who appear on Bobby's record; they perform every whistle, handclap, sound effect and harmony vocal.  Listen carefully, and you'll hear Jeff create a damn good approximation of Trinidadian steel drums by hitting the metal sides of his snare.

Montego Bay
Words and music by Jeff Barry and Bobby Bloom
 
 
Vernon will meet me when the BOAC lands
Keys to the MG will be in his hand
Adjust to the driving and I'm on my way
It's all on the right side of Montego Bay

Sing out
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
Come sing me la
Come sing me Montego Bay
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
 
And Gillian will meet me like a brother would
I think I remember but it's twice as good
Like how cool the rum is from his silver tray
I thirst to be thirsty in Montego Bay
 
Sing out
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
Come sing me la
Come sing me Montego Bay
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
 
I lay on the Lilo 'til I'm lobster red
I still feel the motion here at home in bed
I tell you it's hard for me to stay away
You ain't been till you've been high in Montego Bay
 
Sing out
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
Come sing me la
Come sing me Montego Bay
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-whoa-oh-oh-oh
 
 
 
 
 
Unart Music - BMI

Return to the Lyrics Page
 
 

Please visit Laura's Oldies Sites for a list of other sites I run, including those for The Dixie Cups and Ron Dante of The Archies.
 
 

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