Cornell, or Cornel, Campbell started recording in 1956, cutting shuffle and… Read Full Bio ↴Cornell, or Cornel, Campbell started recording in 1956, cutting shuffle and early ska tunes like "My Treasure" and "Don't Want Your Loving" at the ubiquitous Studio One for Coxsone Dodd. His singing style is delicate and ephemeral, making heavy use of falsetto. His stint at Studio One produced some beautiful tunes like Stars, Queen Of The Minstrels, Magic Spell, Trick In The Book and many others. His sister, Cecille Campbell, also sang at Studio One and was a member of the Soulettes with Rita Marley. As well as cutting solo sides, Cornell was also at various times a member of singing groups like The Sensations, The Eternals, The Uniques and The Jays.

In the '70s Cornell left Studio One and started an immensely profitable alliance with Bunny Lee. Hit after hit soon followed, and such was the dominance of the pair that Cornell was sooned nicknamed the Gorgon.

Towards the end of the '80s and in the '90s Cornell was less prolific, but still carried on producing singles, such as "Hell In A Yard" for King Tubby's Firehouse label (with the Jays). Towards the end of the 80s he took a few years off to concentrate on his family's farm, though he recorded sporadically.

Today, after 50 years in music, he still finds time to get into the studio and play the occasional gig. Recent tunes include the haunting "King In My Empire" with german dubmeisters Rhythm & Sound and a couple of tracks with Dub Syndicate.

For a longer biography, see http://www.reggae-vibes.com/concert/ccampbell/ccampbell.htm

Where Ever I Lay My Hat
Cornell Campbell Lyrics

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By the look in your eye I can tell you're gonna cry, is it over me?
If it is, save your tears for I'm not worth it, you see.
For I'm the kind of guy who is always on the roam,
Wherever I Lay My Hat That's My Home.

You had a romance, did you break it by chance over me?
If it's so I'd like for you to know that I'm not worth it, you see.
For I'm the type of guy who is always on the roam,

Wherever I Lay My Hat That's My Home,

You keep telling your friends that I'm your man.
What do I have to do to make you understand?
For I'm the kind of guy that gives girl the eye, everybody knows.
But I love them and I leave them, break their hearts and deceive them
everywhere I go.

I'm the type of guy who is always on the roam,
Wherever I Lay My Hat That's My Home.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cornell Campbell's song Wherever I Lay My Hat explore a theme of a man who is always on the move, never settling down with one woman or in one place for too long. The opening lines suggest that the woman he is speaking to is upset and may be shedding tears over their relationship. However, the song implores her not to waste her tears on him, implying that he is not worth the emotional investment. Instead, he declares himself to be the kind of guy that is always on the move, and wherever he lands, that is where he calls home.

The lyrics continue to describe this man's habits of moving from relationship to relationship, never staying with one woman for long. Despite the woman professing her love for him to her friends, the man seems uninterested in settling down and committing to her. He admits to being the type of guy who gives "the eye" to girls, but subsequently breaks their hearts and deceives them wherever he goes. The chorus reiterates his preference for a life of constant movement and change, suggesting that he is simply not capable of remaining in one place or relationship for too long.

In summary, the song is an introspection into the life of a man who loves to move around and never settle down. The lyrics suggest that he is not worthy of the emotional investment of a relationship since he cannot commit to anything for too long.

Line by Line Meaning

By the look in your eye I can tell you're gonna cry, is it over me?
I can see from the expression in your eyes that you're about to cry. Did our relationship just end because of me?

If it is, save your tears for I'm not worth it, you see.
If our relationship ended because of me, don't cry for me because I don't deserve it.

For I'm the kind of guy who is always on the roam, Wherever I Lay My Hat That's My Home.
I'm the type of person who is always moving around, and I don't have a permanent home. I feel at home wherever I am.

You had a romance, did you break it by chance over me?
Did our relationship end because of something I did? Or was it just a coincidence?

If it's so I'd like for you to know that I'm not worth it, you see.
If our relationship ended because of my actions, just know that I'm not worth the pain you're feeling.

You keep telling your friends that I'm your man. What do I have to do to make you understand?
You keep telling people that we're in a committed relationship, but I haven't been acting like it. What do I need to do to make you believe me?

For I'm the kind of guy that gives girl the eye, everybody knows. But I love them and I leave them, break their hearts and deceive them everywhere I go.
I'm known for flirting with women, but my relationships never last long. I end up hurting and lying to them, no matter where I am.

I'm the type of guy who is always on the roam, Wherever I Lay My Hat That's My Home.
Because I'm always moving around and never staying in one place, wherever I am becomes my temporary home.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barrett Strong, Marvin Gaye, Marvin P Gaye, Norman Whitfield, Norman J. Whitfield

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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