The lyrics, about a white man lost in Jamaica, were based on a true story told by Moody Blues vocalist Justin Hayward about an experience he had had in Barbados; it was a rare excursion into reggae for the act. It became the act's third and final number one single in the UK, and final top 10 hit, spending a single week at the top in September 1978. The single peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA. The song was later covered by Boney M on their 1985 album, Eye Dance. A remade version using some of the lyrics, was released by the Eurodisco group French Connection under the title 'I don't like reggae' in 1993.
Dreadlock Holiday
10cc Lyrics
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Concentratin' on truckin' right
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked 'round in a state of fright
I saw four faces, one mad, a brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit and turned to each other
I say, I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
Well, he looked down on my silver chain
He said, "I'll give you one dollar"
I said: You've got to be jokin', man
It was a present from me mother
He said, "I like it, I want it, I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You better understand that you're alone"
(A long way from home)
And I say, I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it
I don't like reggae, I love it
Don't you cramp me style
Don't you queer me pitch
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I hurried back to the swimmin' pool, sinkin' pina colada
I heard a dark voice beside me say
"Would you like somethin' harder?"
She said, "I've got it, you want it
My harvest is the best, and if you try it
You'll like it and wallow in a dreadlock holiday"
And I say, don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her (dreadlock holiday)
"Dreadlock Holiday" is a song by the British rock band 10cc, released in 1978. The song features interesting lyrics that describe a tourist's holiday experience in Jamaica. The song tells the story of a man walking down the street, who encounters a group of Jamaican men who try to intimidate him. The man responds by proclaiming his love for cricket and reggae, and the lyrics cleverly play with the cultural differences between the tourist and the locals.
In the first verse, the man is walking down the street and concentrating on "trucking" (doing things right), when he encounters the Jamaican men. They look at him up and down and he becomes afraid. He then proudly proclaims his love for cricket, a popular sport in Jamaica and around the world. In the second verse, the man is confronted again, this time by a woman who offers him drugs. He responds by proclaiming his love for Jamaica, a place that he initially didn't like but has now grown to love.
The song is a celebration of cultural differences, and it takes a humorous and lighthearted approach to the topic. The catchy chorus features a call and response between the lead singer and backing vocalists, which adds to the playful feel of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walkin' down the street
I was strolling aimlessly on this road.
Concentratin' on truckin' right
I was focused on my way of walking.
I heard a dark voice beside of me
I heard a deep voice next to me.
And I looked 'round in a state of fright
I turned scared to see what was happening around me.
I saw four faces, one mad, a brother from the gutter
I saw four guys, one of them angry, ordinary people hailing from the slums.
They looked me up and down a bit and turned to each other
They examined me and conversed with one another.
I say, I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it
I mean that I adore cricket, I don't hate it.
Don't you walk through my words
Do not disregard what I am saying.
You got to show some respect
You have to show some courtesy.
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
You have to wait until I finish speaking.
Well, he looked down on my silver chain
The guy checked out my silver necklace.
He said, "I'll give you one dollar"
He declared, "I will pay you one dollar."
I said: You've got to be jokin', man
I replied, "You must be jesting, sir."
He said, "I like it, I want it, I'll take it off your hands
He stated, "I fancy it, I desire it, and I am buying it."
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You will regret going against me.
You better understand that you're alone
You must realize that you are alone in this situation.
And I say, I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it
I meant to say that I cherish reggae music, I don't hate it.
Don't you cramp me style
Don't restrict my behavior.
Don't you queer me pitch
Don't mess up my plans.
I hurried back to the swimmin' pool, sinkin' pina colada
I hastily returned to the swimming pool, enjoying a sinking glass of Pina Colada.
I heard a dark voice beside me say
I heard a deep voice beside me murmur.
"Would you like somethin' harder?"
"Do you want something stronger to drink?"
She said, "I've got it, you want it
She replied, "I have it, you are interested in it."
My harvest is the best, and if you try it
The product I possess is supreme, and if you sample it
You'll like it and wallow in a dreadlock holiday"
You will enjoy it and revel in an experience of feeling like a Rastafarian.
Don't you walk through my words
Do not ignore my speech.
You got to show some respect
You have to demonstrate respect.
Don't you walk through my words
Do not go past my words without considering them.
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
Since you haven't heard what I have to say yet.
I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't hate cricket, I like it a lot.
I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I like reggae music very much, not hate it.
I don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her (dreadlock holiday)
I don't dislike Jamaica, I fondly regard the place.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
I was walkin' down the street
Concentratin' on truckin' right
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked round in a state of fright
I saw four faces, one mad
A brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit
And turned to each other
I say
I don't like cricket (Oh no!)
I love it
I don't like cricket (No no!)
I love it
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
Well he looked down at my silver chain
He said "I'll give you one dollar"
I said you've got to be jokin' man
It was a present from me mother
He said "I like it, I want it
I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You'd better understand that you're alone
A long way from home
And I say
I don't like reggae (No no!)
I love it (Eh!)
I don't like reggae (No!)
I love it (Eh!)
Don't you cramp me style
Don't you queer me pitch
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I hurried back to the swimming pool
Sinkin' pina colada
I heard a dark voice beside me say
"Would you like something harder?"
She said, "I've got it, you want it
My harvest is the best
And if you try it, you'll like it
And wallow in a Dreadlock Holiday"
And I say
Don't like Jamaica (Oh no!)
I love her (Eh!)
Don't like Jamaica (Oh no!)
I love her (Oh yeah!)
Don't you walk through her words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through her words
'Cause you ain't heard her out yet
I don't like cricket (Oh no!)
I love it (Dreadlock Holiday)
I don't like reggae (Oh no!)
I love it (Dreadlock Holiday)
Don't like Jamaica (Eh!)
I love her (Dreadlock Holiday)
@LESMOIR
A long, long time ago I had a production company called Green Back Films and I directed this promo. The B&W picture the hero holds up is actually my mother!
@darthvaderken
Do you know the name of the guy in the Hawaiian shirt by any chance?
@simonoconor8149
Wow, cool story man.
@gofar6354
I don't like your story bro....I LOVE IT!
@chobbler
wikid :0)
@PlaybackTVS
Cool man :)
@user-oe1vw1yd7b
Just a kid when this song came out, but I never stopped loving it and I’m in my fifties now. Catchy melody, incredible harmonies and sing-a-long vocals with masterful musicianship - it had it all.
@weejim48
10cc were a brilliant band. And very clever with their song writing. Anyone that knows their songs will know just how all their songs tell a story. Brilliant. 👍
@321scully
This is their best.
@deanoh6414
Went to see Graham and the band last night. Absolutely superb. Small venue and they smashed it. To your point about the story telling... see Neanderthal Man as Exhibit A !!!