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Born in Kingston, Jamaica as Ripton Hylton, Eek-a-Mouse began his foray into reggae music when he was in college, but did not begin to garner a substantial audience until 1979 with his hit "Once a Virgin". This same year, he changed his singing name to "Eek-a-Mouse", the name of the racehorse he always bet on. In 1981, he cheered up the Reggae Sunsplash Festival, which was still mourning over the death of reggae icon Bob Marley. After this, his fame continued increasing through the year 1982 until 1988, when he released "Eek-A-Nomics", his last full-length CD until 1996.
Eek-a-Mouse is a regular at the Jamaican music festival Reggae Sunsplash and often teams up with reggae duo Michigan and Smiley. He has also been featured on Christian rock group P.O.D.'s (Payable on Death) album Satellite, lending his vocals to the rock-reggae track "Ridiculous".
05_-_Long_Time_Ago
Eek-a-Mouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long time ago
Woy-wa-hoy
Ba-dem, ba-dem, ba-deng
Let there be night and let there be day
It's a wonderful world that we live in today
Life should make you feel so happy
Everyone is easy, happy and free
We should live together in harmony
Let there be night and let there be day
It's a wonderful world that we live in today, wa-hoy
Woy-wa-hoy
pla-dem, pla-dem
Woy-wa-hoy
Oy-boy boy-en
Wa-hem, wa-hem, wa-eng
Small house and children with fortune and fame
They all go together, they're all in the game
Everyone is easy, happy and free
We should live together in harmony
So let there be night and let there be day
It's a wonderful world that we live in today, wa-hoy
We were best friends
Long time ago
Woy-wa-hoy
Pla-dem, pla-dem, pla-dem-da-den
Let there be night and let there be day
It's a wonderful world that we live in today
Loving one another, let the good things be
Life should make you feel so happy
Everyone is easy, happy and free
We should live together in harmony
So let there be night and let there be day
It's a wonderful world that we live in today, wa-hoy
We were best friends
Long time ago
Woy-wa-hoy
Pla-dem, pla-dem, pla-dem-da-den
Small house and children with fortune and fame
They all go together, they're all in the game
Everyone is easy, happy and free
We should live together in harmony
So let there be night and let there be day
It's a wonderful world that we live in today, Jah
We were best friends
Long time ago
Woy-wa-hoy
Pla-dem, pla-dem, pla-dem-da-den
Woy wa-hoy
ple-den ple-den ple-dedda ben, woy
Ee-woy woy woy-woy weh-weh-weh wen
Ee-woy woy woy-woy weh-weh-weh wen
Ee-woy woy woy-woy weh-weh-weh wen
ple-den ple-den ple-den, woy
Small house and children with fortune and fame
They all go together, they're all in the game
Everyone is easy, happy and free
We should live together in harmony
So let there be night and let there be day
It's a wonderful world that live in today, jah!
We were best friends
Long time ago
Oh, yeah know
ple-den ple-den ple-den
In Eek-a-Mouse's song "Long Time Ago", the artist reflects on a time characterized by friendship, harmony, and love. Through the lyrics, Eek-a-Mouse implies that such moments of happiness are still possible, and that we can all work together to create a better world. The song is a message of hope and unity, reminding listeners of the importance of kindness and cooperation.
The opening lines "We were best friends, long time ago" serves as a nostalgic reference to the past--as if the "long time ago" refers to a time that has since passed. However, the overall message of the song is to suggest that the positive attributes of the past can be present in the present, if we all make a concerted effort.
Line by Line Meaning
We were best friends
We used to be very close friends in the past.
Long time ago
This happened in the distant past.
Woy-wa-hoy Ba-dem, ba-dem, ba-deng
This is a repetitive line with no clear meaning, probably just adding rhythm to the song.
Let there be night and let there be day
Acknowledging the natural cycle of day and night, and how life goes on.
It's a wonderful world that we live in today
Despite its problems, the world is an amazing place full of beauty and wonder.
Loving one another, let the good things be
Encouraging people to love and respect one another, and enjoy the good things in life.
Life should make you feel so happy
Life is meant to be enjoyed and lived with happiness.
Everyone is easy, happy and free
Everyone should live life without worries, enjoying their freedom with happiness.
We should live together in harmony
People should live in peace and unity with one another.
pla-dem, pla-dem
This is another repetitive line without any clear meaning, included for stylistic purposes.
Wa-hem, wa-hem, wa-eng
This is another line with no clear meaning, likely added for stylistic purposes.
Small house and children with fortune and fame
This phrase acknowledges the desire for success, a family, and acquiring wealth.
They all go together, they're all in the game
These things are all part of the same thing: the game of life.
So let there be night and let there be day
This line repeats the importance of accepting the natural cycle of life.
Jah!
This is a religious phrase used to praise God and show gratitude for life's blessings.
ple-den ple-den ple-dedda ben, woy
This line is another example of a repetitive phrase added for style rather than meaning.
Ee-woy woy woy-woy weh-weh-weh wen
This line also does not have a definitive meaning, and is mostly just added for flair to the song.
Contributed by Chloe L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
UrkapuTT
It just doesn't get any better then this, pure performance power 💯✊
Josh P
He'll definitely go down in history! I can't believe how strong he's goin somnay years later
T Money
Untouchable swagger very original style respect
der Volldrosten
Swagger haha
Philippe Adele
Bon sthle
GIN&CHRONIC
"Respect" the word made your comment
James McBride
@T money yes Mouse got mad swag n originality big Respect
Ryan Jensen
Listened to Ganja Smuggling as a kid, now im coming back and rediscovering all his music at 23, love you eek a mouse!! youre a legend big up from California
Eddie
Same brother!! 23 as well.
Gustavo G.
Marcando presença nessa raridade, BRASIL 011 datando 2022 esse cara é foda!!! Que pedrada