Bombay
Golden Earring Lyrics


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Bombay seems lost in dreams
When the pipes let off steam
In a backroom, somewhere, anywhere in L.A.

Next payday comes, I'll be gone
By boats and planes, it's pre-arranged
You can't catch me, I'm on my way back to Bombay
Bombay, Bombay, Bombay, Bombay
Ain't gonna leave no trace
Gonna wash away my face
In the Bombay river
I'm gonna settle
I'm gonna stay in Bombay

I'm gonna trade my past
For a new life at last
Sit back and have another blast
If I die, Kamasutra's the reason why
Kama, kama, kama, kamasutra,
Kama, kama, I surrender

Bombay, Bombay, Bombay, Bombay
Ain't gonna leave no trace
Gonna wash away my face
In the Bombay river
I'm gonna settle
I'm gonna stay in Bombay





Bombay, Bombay...

Overall Meaning

The song Bombay by Golden Earring is about a person who dreams of leaving behind their current life and heading to Bombay, India. The first stanza sets the scene in Los Angeles where the person is dreaming about Bombay while listening to the pipes let off steam. The second stanza explains that the person will be leaving on the next payday and has pre-arranged means of transportation to leave the town without leaving any trace behind. They plan to disappear to Bombay and settle there. In the third stanza, the person is certain that they will stay in Bombay and will trade their past for a new life. The repetition of the word KamaSutra indicates that the person is looking for a new and exciting life in Bombay.


The lyrics of the song suggest that the person is longing to find freedom from their current life and start over in Bombay. They are in search of unknown adventures that will satisfactorily replace their current life's dullness. The repetition of the word Bombay throughout the song signifies the person's desire to be in the city and how it speaks to them on a deep level.


Line by Line Meaning

Bombay seems lost in dreams
The city of Bombay appears like a dream world


When the pipes let off steam
When one releases their inner tension


In a backroom, somewhere, anywhere in L.A.
Hidden away in the city of Los Angeles


Next payday comes, I'll be gone
As soon as I get paid, I will leave


By boats and planes, it's pre-arranged
I have already made the necessary travel arrangements


You can't catch me, I'm on my way back to Bombay
No one can stop me from returning to Bombay


Bombay, Bombay, Bombay, Bombay
Reiterated references to Bombay


Ain't gonna leave no trace
I won't leave any evidence behind


Gonna wash away my face
I will start my new life afresh


In the Bombay river
By cleansing myself in the river, I will leave my past behind


I'm gonna settle
I plan to make Bombay my home


I'm gonna stay in Bombay
I'm not leaving Bombay again


I'm gonna trade my past
I'm willing to give up my past


For a new life at last
I'm ready for a fresh start


Sit back and have another blast
I will relax and have fun


If I die, Kamasutra's the reason why
My death would have been due to overindulgence in physical pleasure


Kama, kama, kama, kamasutra,
Reiterated references to the Kamasutra - an ancient text on sex, love and life


Kama, kama, I surrender
I have given in to my temptations




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HAY, KOOYMANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Teacher 1300

Great track!Good to hear again...

TheJetfighter666

Love it!

Sarahsblues

Er wordt goed gespeeld, Hay zingt goed!

beemer396

Greatest mix is this followed by Tokyo Joe by Brian Ferry then The Great Pretender by Brian Eno. No space between tracks!

Bert Spierings

Gasten uit m'n oude buurt. Heerlijk Helder Haags

Tamas Cs

Excellent

Gerda Batist

Dit is een van de beste nummer

Pratika Yashaswi

"If I die, Kamasutra's the reason why"???
why. positions too hard? someone explain pliss

Rayboss302

Typically Earring ofcourse

Rayboss302

It's not the positions.. But the quantity they say years ago in a Dutch interview 😂

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