Pimpa's Paradise
Damian Marley/Damian Marley/Damian Marley Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

And yes y'all, you now rocking with the best
Black Thought from the legendary Roots crew in the flesh
I split up in here with the brothers from the Marley family
Creston--we gon' say it for y'all

She loves to party, have a good time
She looks so hearty, feeling fine
She loves to smoke, sometimes shifting coke
Hey, she'd be laughing when there ain't no joke

Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was now
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was now
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was

Cause coke was a thing that once she first try
Was once a blue moon to once a blue sky
Now she's wondering who else wants to go buy
She don't got no money and wants to get high
Story sounds familiar,
Like born to be wild but she sillier
Not quite the same, but she similar
A waste of my sarsaparilla
Used to look good in the videos, now she look hideous

Now it's broken crack pipes with lipstick traces
Walks the cold nights red district places
She seen more hotels than my tour suitcases
More male customers than Old Navy's
She love lime light more than John Swaby's
Seen more miles than a Rent-A-Avis
She don't slow down then someday maybe
She lost and can't find her way to safety

Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was now
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was now
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was

Check it out
She keep her head up in the space like a satellite
Because she got an insatiable appetite
For staying out late nights with all the parasites
Plotting on a way to cop a little piece of paradise
Her dignity the only thing that she could sacrifice
Just get the monkey off her back and she'd be back in line
Five minutes she stay on the move,
She'd done smoked up the stone that the builder refused
All coked up alone, she ain't even in tune
And it's sad cause she ain't really have a reason to use

She was pretty girl
Cleaner than the Board of Health
Studied and enjoyed herself, I don't know what drove her to avoid herself
Destroyed herself and took a taste of the yay'
And now she on the track, working while she wasting away
It's safe to say, she looking for a someplace to stay
Who ever got a little paper to play
Can get a slice of this

Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was now
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was now
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was

For no reason a seasoned splif was the first thing
One spring season while she's out flirting
Now she season in and don't need rehearsing
Esteem get a beating, life is uncertain
Ego need feeding, now the wants worsen
Beneath the demons she's a warm person
When she's not fiending, swearing and cursing
Behind the curtains, she's really hurting
And while her people don't even trust her at home
The dealer dem grin and cook the rocks down
And she without sin will spark the first stone
The feeling kicks in she's in the dark zone
Old friends walk pass going 'bout their own
As if she is someone that they don't know
Then the King of Kings lift her off the floor
Saying, "Life is a thing when you learn you grow."

Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was now
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was now
Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was

She rise and she fall like a star
Her life write off like a car
Her face full of all kinda scar
Always quick fi start a war
She can't keep herself up to par
She plays like a broken guitar
She always want tek it too far
I doubt she a-go mek it too far

She rise and she fall like a star
Her life write off like a car
Her face full of all kinda scar
Always quick fi start a war
She can't keep herself up to par
She plays like a broken guitar




She always want tek it too far
Mi wonder how she mek it so far

Overall Meaning

The song "Pimpa's Paradise" by Damian Marley is a poignant commentary on the dangers of drug addiction and the life of a woman named Pimpa whose addiction to cocaine led her down a path of destruction. The song is a collaboration between Damian Marley and Black Thought from The Roots, with both artists sharing their perspectives on how addiction can ruin lives. The lyrics describe Pimpa as a woman who loves to party, smoke, and sometimes sell drugs. She is depicted as a once-beautiful girl who has now lost everything to her addiction. The song takes its name from Pimpa's drug of choice, "paradise" or cocaine.


In the first verse, Black Thought describes Pimpa's initial introduction to cocaine and how it quickly became an addiction, leading her to sell her body for money to feed her habit. He describes how her life has been ruined by her addiction and how her once-beautiful appearance has been replaced by drug-induced behavior and a dependency on her next hit.


In the second verse, Damian Marley gives his perspective on Pimpa and her drug addiction. He portrays her as someone who is always looking for a way to escape her reality and find her own “paradise”. He talks about her desire for attention and how her addiction has led her to a life of prostitution and danger. He also reflects on the sad irony of Pimpa’s life – that she was once a pretty girl who studied and enjoyed herself but was driven to avoid herself by addiction.


Line by Line Meaning

She loves to party, have a good time
She enjoys social activities and likes to have fun


She looks so hearty, feeling fine
She appears healthy and happy


She loves to smoke, sometimes shifting coke
She enjoys smoking and sometimes using cocaine


Hey, she'd be laughing when there ain't no joke
She laughs excessively and inappropriately


Pimpa's paradise! that's all she was now
She's trapped in a life of prostitution and drug abuse


Cause coke was a thing that once she first try
Cocaine was something she tried once


Was once a blue moon to once a blue sky
She used to use cocaine infrequently, but now it's constant


Now she's wondering who else wants to go buy
She's looking for others to buy cocaine with


She don't got no money and wants to get high
She's broke and wants to use drugs


Story sounds familiar,
Her story is common


Like born to be wild but she sillier
Her behavior is reckless and foolish


Not quite the same, but she similar
Her situation is unique, but still shares similarities with others


A waste of my sarsaparilla
Her behavior is a waste of time and resources


Used to look good in the videos, now she look hideous
She used to be attractive, but now her appearance is unpleasant


Now it's broken crack pipes with lipstick traces
She's using crack and leaving traces on the pipes


Walks the cold nights red district places
She works in the dangerous and seedy parts of town


She seen more hotels than my tour suitcases
She's been to more hotels than the artist has toured cities


More male customers than Old Navy's
She has more clients than a large clothing store chain


She love lime light more than John Swaby's
She enjoys attention and being in the spotlight


Seen more miles than a Rent-A-Avis
She's traveled more than a popular car rental company's cars


She don't slow down then someday maybe
She doesn't slow down her lifestyle, which may lead to disaster


She lost and can't find her way to safety
She's lost and unable to find her way out of her dangerous situation


She keep her head up in the space like a satellite
She's detached and distracted from reality


Because she got an insatiable appetite
She has an uncontrollable desire


For staying out late nights with all the parasites
She spends her nights with dangerous people


Plotting on a way to cop a little piece of paradise
She's always trying to find a way to get escape her reality


Her dignity the only thing that she could sacrifice
She's willing to give up everything, except her dignity


Just get the monkey off her back and she'd be back in line
If she could quit drugs, she could turn her life around


Five minutes she stay on the move,
She's constantly on the move


She'd done smoked up the stone that the builder refused
She's used up all the drugs, even the leftovers


All coked up alone, she ain't even in tune
She's high on cocaine and disconnected from reality


And it's sad cause she ain't really have a reason to use
She doesn't have a valid reason to use drugs


She was pretty girl
She used to be attractive


Cleaner than the Board of Health
She used to be very clean and hygienic


Studied and enjoyed herself, I don't know what drove her to avoid herself
She used to be educated and happy, but something caused her to turn to drugs and prostitution


Destroyed herself and took a taste of the yay'
She ruined her life by trying cocaine


And now she on the track, working while she wasting away
She's now a prostitute, and her life is deteriorating


It's safe to say, she looking for a someplace to stay
She's looking for a way to escape her current lifestyle


Who ever got a little paper to play
She's willing to do anything for money


Can get a slice of this
She's offering herself for money


For no reason a seasoned splif was the first thing
She began using drugs for no apparent reason


One spring season while she's out flirting
In the spring, while flirting with someone, she tried drugs


Now she season in and don't need rehearsing
She's experienced with drug use and doesn't need to practice


Esteem get a beating, life is uncertain
Her self-esteem has suffered and her life is unpredictable


Ego need feeding, now the wants worsen
She needs to boost her ego, so her desires become stronger


Beneath the demons she's a warm person
She's a kind person, but drugs have taken over her life


When she's not fiending, swearing and cursing
When she's not using drugs, she still has a bad attitude


Behind the curtains, she's really hurting
She's hiding her emotional pain


And while her people don't even trust her at home
Her family and friends don't trust her


The dealer dem grin and cook the rocks down
Her drug dealer is happy and prepares the drugs


And she without sin will spark the first stone
She's willing to be the first to use drugs


The feeling kicks in she's in the dark zone
The drugs take effect and she's in a dangerous place


Old friends walk pass going 'bout their own
Her old friends ignore her and go about their own lives


As if she is someone that they don't know
Her old friends don't recognize her anymore


Then the King of Kings lift her off the floor
God helps her and guides her in the right direction


Saying, "Life is a thing when you learn you grow."
God reminds her that life is a learning experience


She rise and she fall like a star
Her life is like a rollercoaster, with ups and downs


Her life write off like a car
Her life is like a ruined car


Her face full of all kinda scar
Her face is covered in scars


Always quick fi start a war
She's always ready to fight


She can't keep herself up to par
She can't maintain her standards


She plays like a broken guitar
She's like a damaged instrument, unable to function properly


She always want tek it too far
She's always taking things to the extreme


Mi wonder how she mek it so far
The artist wonders how she's survived this long




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY, DAMIAN ROBERT NESTA MARLEY, TARIK L. COLLINS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@andygabe2807

[Verse 1: Stephen Marley]
Hey!
She loves to party, have a good time
She looks so hearty, feeling fine
She loves to smoke, sometimes shifting coke
She's laughing when there ain't no joke

[Chorus: Stephen Marley & (Background Singers)]
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was now
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was now
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was

[Verse 2: Damian Marley]
'Cause coke was a thing that once she first try
Was once a blue moon to once a blue sky
Now she's wondering who else wants to go buy
She don't got no money and wants to get high
Story sounds familiar, like born to be wild, but she sillier
Not quite the same, but she similar
A waste of my sarsaparilla
Used to look good in the videos, now she look hideous
broken crack pipes with lipstick traces
Walks the cold nights red district places
She seen more hotels than my tour suitcases
More male customers than Old Navy's
She love lime light more than John Swaby's
Seen more miles than a rental, Avis
She don't slow down then some day maybe
She lost and she can't find her way to safety

[Chorus: Stephen Marley & (Background Singers)]
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was now
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was now
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was

[Verse 3: Damian Marley]
For no reason a seasoned spliff was the first thing
One spring season while she's out flirting
Now she season me and don't need rehearsing
Esteem get a beating, life is uncertain
Ego need feeding, now the wants worsen
Beneath the demons, she's a warm person
When she's not fiending, swearing and cursing
Behind the curtain, she's really hurting
her people don't even trust her at home
The dealer dem grin and cook the rocks down
she without sin will spark the first stone
The feeling kicks in, she's in the dark zone
Old friends walk pass going 'bout their own
As if she is someone that they don't know
Then the King of All Kings lift her off the flo'
Saying, "Life is a thing, when you learn you grow"

[Chorus: Stephen Marley & (Background Singers)]
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was now
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was now
(Pimpa's paradise!) That's all she was

[Outro: Damian Marley]
She rise and she fall like a star
Her life write off like a car
Her face full all kinda scar
Always quick fi start a war
She can't keep herself up to par
She plays like a broken guitar
She always want take it too far
I doubt she a-go make it too far
She rise and she fall like a star
Her life write off like a car
Her face full all kinda scar
She blamed dis a man box donger
She can't keep herself up to par
She plays like a broken guitar
She always want take it too far
Me wonder how she make it so far
Woiie



All comments from YouTube:

@dikambawaufolo4276

Classic.🖤
Who's listening to this on 2024?

@alexandresantiagodaschagas7299

✋🏽

@abeautifulhaze

Bob's soul smiles every time this is played. They made their father proud with this rendition.

@JamrockSMR

If anyone is to carry on Bob's message of Unity and Love, it would be his kids. Tears came to my eyes watching this. We lost The Legend way too young. They lost their Daddy way too young.

@russpc2

Bob is alive in these amazing Young men! Bob’s version was always my favorite, but his kids have taken it to another level! Close my eyes and Bob is still performing with the “Junior Gongs”. Love this!

@deanrussell466

The Prophets a go rise again,

@YSC2000

they lost their dad since they where in momas belly what you talking about

@seguyamuhsin2308

Who is here in 2020 and who will be here in 2030

@floydbarbieux6743

2035

@rennanbarbosa747

Stephen Marley singing with closed eyes make me feel the vibe.

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