The band… Read Full Bio ↴Amazulu was a British ska and new wave band from the 1980s.
The band formed primarily as an all female band, except one member, Nardo Bailey on drums. The name "Amazulu" is taken from the Zulu language word for the Zulu people. Former manager for X-Ray Spex and Adam & the Ants, Falcon Stuart discovered the act and helped promote their first single, "Cairo" to modest success in the UK.
The band started gaining appearances on Top of the Pops (1985) and The Young Ones (1984) which helped trigger their fame amongst a wider audience with hits such as "Moonlight Romance" and "Excitable." The band broke into the United States with the "Montego Bay" in 1986. That same year saw the release of their self-titled full length album released on Island Records.
Breaking up in 1987, Anne-Marie Ruddock, Sharon Bailey and Lesley Beach continued to play on as Amazulu II, to little success. Ruddock went on to perform in the Alex Cox film Straight to Hell. The most notable member of the band with later success is Clare Kenny who went on to join Coming Up Roses, and eventually becoming a popular session player performing with Sinead O'Connor, Shakespears Sister and Damien Dempsey.
Montego Bay
Amazulu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keys to th M. G. will be in his hands
Adjust to the driving 'n' I'm on my way
It's all on the right side in Montego Bay
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Come sing me la! Come sing me Montego Bay
'N' Gillian'll 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
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Come sing me la! Come sing me Montego Bay
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
I'll lay on a lilo till 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 been high in Montego Bay
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Come sing me la! Come sing me Montego Bay
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
The Amazulu's song "Montego Bay" depicts the singer's excitement before embarking on a trip to Montego Bay, a popular tourist attraction in Jamaica. The main character is meeting up with his friend Vernon, who will give him the keys to his car - a Montego Bay, and they will be driving on the right side of the road. He is looking forward to being reunited with his friend Gillian, who he regards just like his own brother, and to have a taste of the rum he serves from a silver tray. The song also captures his eagerness to be in Montego Bay as he plans to lay on a lilo, till he turns lobster red with the sun, and to relish the feeling of the motion that will still be with him even when he is back in his bed at home. The song conveys a sense of fun, adventure, and freedom typically associated with summer vacations and gives another meaning to the famous phrase, “Don’t worry, be happy”.
Line by Line Meaning
Vernon'll meet me when the boat lands
I will meet Vernon upon arrival and he will be in possession of the keys to the car.
Keys to the M. G. will be in his hands
Vernon will be in possession of the car keys.
Adjust to the driving 'n' I'm on my way
Upon arrival, I will adjust to driving on the opposite side of the road and continue my journey.
It's all on the right side in Montego Bay
Driving is on the right side of the road in Montego Bay.
Come sing me la! Come sing me Montego Bay
Expressing the desire for someone to sing about Montego Bay.
'N' Gillian'll meet me like a brother would
My friend Gillian, who treats me like a brother, will also meet me.
I think I remember but it's twice as good
I have fond memories of my previous visits to Montego Bay, and I am excited to return.
Like how cool the rum is from his silver tray
I recall how refreshing the rum served in a silver tray by Gillian was.
I thirst to be thirsty in Montego Bay. Sing out
I am looking forward to the feeling of thirst from the heat and humidity and want someone to sing joyfully.
I'll lay on a lilo till I'm lobster red
I plan to lounge on an inflatable mattress until I am sunburnt.
I still feel the motion here at home in bed
The memory of being on the water still feels real, even when I am in my own bed.
You ain't been till you been high in Montego Bay
People cannot understand the experience of Montego Bay unless they have been, and experienced the intoxicating effect of the environment.
Come sing me la! Come sing me Montego Bay
Expressing the desire for someone to sing about Montego Bay.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bobby Bloom, Jeff Barry, Robert Bloom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
james robinson
Great summer song. I will never understand why this wasn't a bigger hit here in the US. I loved it back in the 80s and I still love it today.
ATACX GYM STREET WARRIOR CAPOEIRA
You said EXACTLY what I was thinking. I love this joint. I hadn't thought of it in DECADES. Then? Alluva sudden? In this suffocating, unhappy SoCal traffic? I was reaching for some happy...and outta nowhere this big happy SING OUT: MONTEGO BAY!! came roaring into my ears. Activating my Jamaican and ALKEBULAN miscalled African blood. Suddenly? I'm pulling this song up on my YouTube and singing smiling and dancing along.
And just like that? I was Montego Bay Happy.
QuantumRift
@Marcus Rob Like you would know. I remember when it came out in 1970 and I'd have my transistor radio ready to crank when it came on. It's 2021 and I'm still remembering Bobby Bloom.
Marcus Rob
@PatienceZero
Waaaaaaay better than that Bobby Bloom mess!!!
Marcus Rob
@QuantumRift , @patiencezero
Both of you are crazy! This is waaaaaaay better than that Bobby Bloom mess!!!!
SooooWhat?
Bobby Bloom’s version was big. (1970) An explanation is that Jamaican music always seems mis-promoted in the States.
Like Bob Marley who recorded “Stir it up” in 1967 then re-released in 1972 only did it become widely listened to once “Legend s” was released in 1977.
retrorhythms
When I was growing up, "Video Soul" used to show this video on the regular. I was so enthralled with it and bought the 12" single with my allowance. There are several great versions of this song, but this one will always be dearest to me. I loved the feel-good nature of the video and people singing and dancing together!
mrsmullins
retrorhythms Yes. I remember Video Soul and Video Vibrations. Donnie Simpson hosted Video Soul, I think.
mrsmullins
This song makes me want to go to Montego Bay. So I will put that on my bucket list.
GetajobUAhole
She is truly a joyful person.