Born on the 31st January 1947 in Carshalton, Surrey, he has lived in Notting Hill since he was five years old, holds a degree in Philosophy from the University of Kent at Canterbury (1968), and worked as a schoolmaster for eleven years before going full time.
He was signed to the same company as The Beatles in 1966, and recorded his first single at Abbey Road in 1967. Some of his songs were covered during the 1960s by Cilla Black, Georgie Fame, and Helen Shapiro.
During the 1970s, Okinl became a well-known name in folk clubs, but also started to perform as support act in large venues, beginning with folk acts such as Ralph McTell and Fairport Convention. He progressed to opening for such varied performers as Jean-Luc Ponty and Van Morrison. however, it was the 1979 tour with Paul McCartney and Wings which prompted him to go full time. He also began to perform in jazz festivals.
In 1981, Okin appeared on The Parkinson Show and also, due to the comedy that he used in his folk-club act, was invited by Nigel Planer to perform at The Comic Strip comedy club. This led to his second career on the alternative comedy circuit, where he remains a headline act. However, his act continues to be a musical one.
In 1983, he also began to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe where he performed over 500 shows but has never neglected either his songwriting or development as a jazz singer/musician, with a special interest in the Brazilian music known as Bossa Nova. He gives concerts in Brazil from time to time, as well as touring his one-man show, a mixture of music and comedy.
He performs on television in several countries, but especially Brazil, Australia, and Germany. He has also performed at most major venues in London, from the Royal Albert and Festival Halls to The Palladium and Wembley Arena. Apart from self-published LPs, he has had CDs issued by BMG in Germany and Austria and SONY in the U.K.
He has recorded two CDs, one of jazz and bossa nova, Bossa Britanica, and, more recently a CD of his songs in various genres called Songs from a Garden Shed.
Bahia
Earl Okin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My heart longs to feel Bahia
How many were the times, that I danced with her
Kissed her
But the last time I kissed was to say
Adeuz
I know I must go to Bahia
My love waits for me in Bahia
Will she still be mine?
Bahia
How many were the times, that I danced with her
Kissed her
But the last time we kissed was to say
Adeuz
I know I must go to Bahia
My love waits for me in Bahia
Will the moon still shine?
Will she still be mine?
Bahia, Bahia, Bahia, Bahia, Bahia
The lyrics to Earl Okin's song Bahia are a love letter to a place and a person. Bahia, a state in northeastern Brazil known for its beautiful beaches, music, and culture, holds a special place in the singer's heart. His eyes long to see it, and his heart longs to feel it. He reminisces about the times he spent there dancing with and kissing his love, but the last time they kissed was to say farewell, and he now longs to return to her and to the place they shared those memories.
The singer's longing for Bahia is evident in the repetition of the chorus as he questions whether the moon will still shine and whether she will still be his. The song is a representation of the power that love has to transport us to a specific time and place, making it feel as though it holds an eternal essence. The singer's love for Bahia is intertwined with his love for the person waiting for him there, making it a deeply romantic and sentimental song.
Line by Line Meaning
My eyes longs to see Bahia
I wish to see the land of Bahia with my eyes.
My heart longs to feel Bahia
My heart desires to experience the entirety of Bahia.
How many were the times, that I danced with her
I danced with someone from Bahia many times before.
Kissed her
I have kissed her before.
But the last time I kissed was to say Adeuz
The last kiss I shared with her was to say farewell.
I know I must go to Bahia
I am aware that I must travel to Bahia.
My love waits for me in Bahia
The person I love is waiting for me in Bahia.
Will the moon still shine?
I wonder if the moon still shines like it did before.
Will she still be mine?
I am uncertain if the person I love still has affection for me.
Bahia
The name of the land that I desire to see and feel.
Bahia, Bahia, Bahia, Bahia, Bahia
Repetition of the name of the desired land.
Contributed by Ella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Threlfall
Very clear recording , a refreshing change from much of the modern style of cluttering up recordings and submerging the vocals. Nice arrangement and performance.
Rose Tait
This is a fine piece of work, Earl - so wistful x
Wim D.
Wonderful bossa nova, written by Earl Okin !
Jan Bailey
Enjoyed listening to this Johnny,thank you!!
SpatsLondon
I wonder who posted this recording of mine...
Oliver Detmers
This is Okin.
andybaldman
You may be displeased, but I’m glad they did! Your music is wonderful. I wish I was in Europe, I would gladly pay to see you live. You have many more fans from this video!