The song was released in various remixed forms and was a sizeable hit. It was also featured in her music documentary A One Man Show, in which Grace kisses her own image.
LL Cool J sampled the song for his 1995 single, "Doin It", and subsequently Keri Hilson sampled it for her song, "Do It".
12" version
The US and the UK 12" versions of the track differed substantially; the US version (7:01) was in fact the unedited and unremixed album master and was later included on the 1998 compilation Private Life: The Compass Point Sessions. The UK 12" mix opens with the first four minutes of the Living My Life album version, then cuts to the three last minutes of the dub version "J.A. Guys" - the full length version of which in turn was released as the B-side of the US 12" "Cry Now, Laugh Later". Both the UK 12" mix of "My Jamaican Guy" and the "J.A. Guys" dub remain unreleased on CD.
Cover
The iconic image on the single cover was created by Jean-Paul Goude. A version of it was later used as a cover of her final "best of" compilation to date; see The Ultimate Collection.
Chart
The song was a UK #56 hit in 1983.
My Jamaican Guy
Grace Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never standing by the door,
Just stretching out pan de floor,
That way him don't fall over,
No way him gwan fall out pan me,
That way him won't fall over,
No way him gwan fall out pan me.
Layed back, not worried back,
Layed back, not thinking back,
Layed back, never holding back,
My Jamaican guy, My Jamaican guy.
When my dread start to sw..
Him no think if it hot nor cold,
We just come in a de riva cold,
Dat way him don't waste him wata,
No way it gwan run out pan him,
Dat way him don't waste him wata,
No way it gwan run out pan him.
'Cause he's layed back, not worried back,
Layed back, not thinking back,
Layed back, not laying back,
Layed back, never holding back,
My Jamaican guy, My Jamaican guy.
My J.A. guy.
Take my life for a drive,
Never need to change his tools,
Him drive like a stubborn mule,
Dat way him naw go plop plop,
No way gas gwan bun out pan him,
Dat way him naw go plop plop,
No way gas gwan bun out pan him.
'Cause he's layed back, not thinking back,
Layed back, not worried back,
Layed back, not laying back,
Layed back, never holding back,
My Jamaican guy,
My J.A. guy.
The lyrics to "My Jamaican Guy" by Grace Jones are an ode to a laid-back and carefree Jamaican man. The song paints a vivid picture of a man who is always in control and never rushes. He takes his time smoking his herb, stretching out on the floor, and driving his car like a slow but steady mule.
The lyrics capture a sense of ease and relaxation that is characteristic of Jamaican culture. The man that Grace Jones sings about is never worried, never thinking too much, and never holding back. He is the perfect embodiment of a carefree island lifestyle.
Grace Jones's delivery of the lyrics is equally laid-back, with her deep voice giving the impression of a woman who is just as carefree as the man she sings about. The simplicity of the lyrics and the repetitive nature of the chorus are reflective of the uncomplicated life that the Jamaican man leads.
Overall, "My Jamaican Guy" is a celebration of a certain way of life that values taking things slow and not getting caught up in the frantic pace of the world. It is a reminder to take a breath, inhale some smoke, and enjoy the ride.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a toke from the smoke,
To smoke marijuana together
Never standing by the door,
He doesn't stand by the door to look out for anyone
Just stretching out pan de floor,
He is relaxing on the floor
That way him don't fall over,
He stretches out on the floor so he doesn't fall over
No way him gwan fall out pan me,
He won't fall on me
'Cause he's laid back, not laying back,
He is relaxed and not reclining
Laid back, not worried back,
He is relaxed and not worried
Laid back, not thinking back,
He is relaxed and not thinking too hard
Laid back, never holding back,
He is always relaxed and never holding himself back
My Jamaican guy, My Jamaican guy.
He's her chilled-out Jamaican boyfriend
When my dread start to sw..
When my hair starts to sway
Him no think if it hot nor cold,
He doesn't care about the weather
We just come in a de riva cold,
They have been in the river and are now cold
Dat way him don't waste him wata,
This way he doesn't waste water
No way it gwan run out pan him,
The water won't run out on him
'Cause he's laid back, not worried back,
He is relaxed and not worried
Laid back, not thinking back,
He is relaxed and not thinking too hard
Laid back, not laying back,
He is relaxed and not reclining
Laid back, never holding back,
He is always relaxed and never holding himself back
My Jamaican guy,
He's her chilled-out Jamaican boyfriend
My J.A. guy.
Her Jamaican boyfriend
Take my life for a drive,
He takes her on a journey
Never need to change his tools,
He never needs to switch things up
Him drive like a stubborn mule,
He drives like a reliable workhorse
Dat way him naw go plop plop,
This way he won't die on the drive
No way gas gwan bun out pan him,
The gas won't run out on him
'Cause he's laid back, not thinking back,
He is relaxed and not thinking too hard
Laid back, not worried back,
He is relaxed and not worried
Laid back, not laying back,
He is relaxed and not reclining
Laid back, never holding back,
He is always relaxed and never holding himself back
My Jamaican guy,
He's her chilled-out Jamaican boyfriend
My J.A. guy.
Her Jamaican boyfriend
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GRACE JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MsAngelaSunshine
Grace Jones needs more recognition for her unique style that so many artists imitate.
@justzee1574
Yep the whole 90s was copied by grace. The earsier top. A women started
@88feji
And she made a lot of taboo imageries ... I believe the guy kissing her in this music video is her twin brother, in fact I remember he even posed naked in her album sleeves (his manhood hanging out !) !
@IorekB92
I think you meant imitated but she's (personally) a little intimitating lol
@MsAngelaSunshine
@IorekB92 Yes, if you knew why ask. 🤪 I think her intimidation gave/gives her the cool edge she has today.
@adonaiyah2196
Absolutely
@daddyeyez740
Unapologetically original. Grace definitely did HER OWN thing HER OWN way. Respect!
@BijouBakson
She is still alive you know! and still performing. I imagine you are talking about her hayday. I understand
@ceegh5386
Always loved how powerful her image was...Jamaican sophistication at its most eccentric and totally stylish
@EstebanDeSade
Grace is one of the most unique and intriguing artists ever. And stunningly beautiful. I love how she can make such a drastic contrast of masculine and feminine appearance. She's definitely one of the most gorgeous women I've ever seen. And graceful, Grace is!