He was born in Spring Gulley, SC, USA, and raised in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended South Philadelphia High School with Frankie Avalon and Fabian. The wife of American Bandstand's host Dick Clark suggested the name "Chubby Checker" to Evans as a take-off on then-popular singer Fats Domino. In 1964, he married Catharina Lodders, a Dutch girl who had been Miss World in 1962.
His material during his 1960s heyday was recorded for Cameo-Parkway Records and along with the label's other material, became unavailable after the early 1970s because of the company's internal legal disputes. For decades, almost all compilations of Checker's hits consisted of re-recordings.
Jamaica Farewell
Chubby Checker Lyrics
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And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
Down the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
`Akey' rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year
Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
The lyrics of Chubby Checker's song "Jamaica Farewell" describes a trip to Jamaica where the singer took a sailing ship to get there. He's obviously had a great time in the country where the sun shines daily on the mountain top and the nights are gay, where there are sounds of laughter everywhere and dancing girls sway to and fro. He states that his heart is in Jamaica even though he has been from Maine to Mexico. But, he's sad to say that he's on his way and won't be back for many a day. His heart is down and his head is turning around because he had to leave a little girl in Kingston town. He reminisces about the local market where ladies cry out while on their heads they bear 'akey' rice, salt fish are nice, and the rum is fine any time of the year. In this stanza, he highlights the excellent food and drink available in Jamaica. The singer expresses the greatness of the Jamaican culture, music, and people that have captured his heart.
The song "Jamaica Farewell," is about leaving behind something precious in Jamaica after enjoying the sun, music, culture, and people, which have captured the singer's heart. The song is a representation of the feelings many people have when leaving Jamaica after an enjoyable visit. The song is spoken in a calypso tone, and the lyrics reflect the joy and the sorrow of the singer. The song is an ode to the natural beauty of Jamaica and the richness of its culture, food, and people. It's a nostalgic piece that will leave many people with a strong sense of reminiscence for their time on the island.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the bay where the nights are gay
Starting from a beautiful shore where the night is filled with joy and fun
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
Even the landscape is beautiful under the sun's bright ray on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
I went on a journey while sailing on a ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
As I finally got to Jamaica, I decided to make a stop
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Unfortunately, I have to say that I am about to leave
Won't be back for many a day
I won't be returning for many days to come
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I am heartbroken, feeling sad and confused at the same time
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I am leaving behind a beautiful girl whom I met in Kingston town
Down the market, you can hear
In the marketplace, you can see and hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Women are shouting while carrying objects on top of their heads
`Akey' rice, salt fish are nice
They are selling `Akey' rice and tasty salt fish in the market
And the rum is fine any time of year
You can enjoy the good quality rum sold here at any time of the year
Sounds of laughter everywhere
You can hear people laughing and having fun all around
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
Beautiful girls are dancing and swaying to the beat
I must declare my heart is there
I have to admit that my heart is still in Jamaica
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
Despite having traveled across different places, my heart still belongs to Jamaica
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Irving Burgie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind