Jamaica
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics


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When will these dark clouds disappear from view
When will the sun begin to shine
When will I once again be near to you
When will I know for sure you're mine

Dreaming of those Jamaican nights
Longing to hold you
Jamaica take me away
Take me away with you
Jamaica, I'm wasting away
Take me away with you
Jamaica take me away
Take me away with you
Jamaica, I'm wasting away
Take me away with you

When will these dark days disappear again
When will I finally see the light
How long must I wait
To have you here my friend
I want to be with you tonight

Dreaming of those Jamaican nights
Longing to hold you
Jamaica take me away
Take me away with you
Jamaica, I'm wasting away
Take me away with you
Jamaica take me away
Take me away with you




Jamaica, I'm wasting away
Take me away with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bachman-Turner Overdrive's song "Jamaica" express an intense emotional longing for a distant lover. The opening lines set the tone by expressing a sense of despair and impatience, as the singer asks when the "dark clouds" will disappear and the "sun" will shine again. The first verse goes on to express the singer's deep desire to be reunited with their beloved.


However, the chorus reveals that the true object of the singer's desire is not just the person they long for, but also a specific time and place - Jamaica. The chorus describes the singer "dreaming of those Jamaican nights" and "longing to hold" their lover there. The repeated refrain of "take me away with you" emphasizes the singer's desire to escape to Jamaica, as if it is the only place where they can be truly happy.


The second verse continues in the same vein as the first, with the singer expressing frustration at the "dark days" that obscure their vision and the perceived distance between themselves and their lover. The closing lines reiterate the singer's intense longing for their lover, expressing the desire to be with them "tonight."


Overall, the lyrics to "Jamaica" communicate a sense of yearning and romantic longing that is heightened by the song's upbeat, driving rhythm and catchy melody. The specificity of the setting - Jamaica - adds an exotic, escapist element to the song, and the repeated refrain of "take me away with you" reinforces the sense of desperation and the singer's desire for escape.


Line by Line Meaning

When will these dark clouds disappear from view
When will the problems in my life go away and things become clear


When will the sun begin to shine
When will things start looking up for me


When will I once again be near to you
When will I be able to be with the person I love


When will I know for sure you're mine
When will I have complete confidence that the person I love loves me back


Dreaming of those Jamaican nights
Thinking back on happier times when everything was idyllic


Longing to hold you
Wanting to be close to the person he loves


Jamaica take me away
The singer wants to escape from his problems, imagining a better life in Jamaica


Jamaica, I'm wasting away
He feels trapped, and is struggling to survive day to day


Take me away with you
Desperately wanting to leave his current situation


When will these dark days disappear again
When will things improve and he can see a brighter future ahead


When will I finally see the light
When will he be able to see more clearly and solve his problems


How long must I wait
How much longer will he have to suffer before things get better


To have you here my friend
Wanting to be reunited with the person he loves


I want to be with you tonight
Longing to spend time with the person he loves, and escape his problems




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES DOUGLAS VALLANCE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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