Born in Houston, Texas, Nash began as a pop singer in the 1950s. He became famous for singing the theme song for The Mighty Hercules cartoon in the early 1960s (which song he also wrote). His biggest hits were the early reggae tunes Hold Me Tight, I Can See Clearly Now, and Stir It Up, written by Bob Marley prior to Marley's international success.
Nash was last active as a composer in the Swedish romance Vill så gärna tro (1971) in which he portrayed Robert. For many years he seemed to have dropped out of sight; however, in May 2006 he was singing again at SugarHill Recording Studio in his native Houston.
Cupid
Johnny Nash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cupid draw back your bow
And let your arrow flow
Straight to my lover's heart for me
Nobody else but me hey hey hey
Cupid please hear my cry
And let your arrow fly
Straight to my lover's heart for me
Listen I don't want to bother you but I'm in distress
There's danger of me loosing all of my happiness
Cause I love a girl who doesn't know I exist
Ah and this you can fix so.
[Chorus]
Now Cupid if your arrow makes her love strong for me
I swear I'm gonna love her until eternity
I know that tween the both of us her heart we can steal
Cupid help me if you will so.
[Chorus]
Hey Cupid Cupid I'm calling
Don't you hear me I'm calling you
(fade)
The lyrics of Johnny Nash's song "Cupid" explore the singer's plead for Cupid's help to make a girl fall in love with him. The chorus of the song, which is repeated three times, is directed to Cupid asking him to draw back his bow and let his arrow flow straight to the singer's lover's heart. The desperation in the singer's voice is evident as he begs for Cupid's assistance to avoid losing his happiness. He confesses his love for a girl that doesn't seem to know or doesn't acknowledge his existence, hence wants Cupid to fix it.
The second verse of the song carries an undertone of some assurance as the singer promises to love the girl for eternity if Cupid's arrow can make her fall in love with him. He believes that his love and the girl's heart are a perfect match, and Cupid's help will seal their future. The repetition of the chorus after each verse emphasizes the urgency and desperation in the singer's plea as he calls for Cupid's help.
Line by Line Meaning
Cupid draw back your bow
Cupid, please prepare your weapon
And let your arrow flow
And shoot the arrow towards my lover
Straight to my lover's heart for me
Directly into her heart, for my sake
Nobody else but me hey hey hey
No one else should be the target of your arrow, only me
Cupid please hear my cry
Cupid, I beg of you to listen to my plea
And let your arrow fly
Shoot your arrow
Listen I don't want to bother you but I'm in distress
I am in trouble, and I do not want to inconvenience you
There's danger of me loosing all of my happiness
I am at risk of losing all that brings me joy
Cause I love a girl who doesn't know I exist
Because I am in love with a girl who doesn't acknowledge me
Ah and this you can fix so.
You have the power to amend my situation.
Now Cupid if your arrow makes her love strong for me
If your arrow inspires her to love me deeply
I swear I'm gonna love her until eternity
I promise to love her forever
I know that tween the both of us her heart we can steal
I believe that together we can capture her heart
Cupid help me if you will so.
Please help me make this a reality, Cupid.
Hey Cupid Cupid I'm calling
Cupid, I am summoning you
Don't you hear me I'm calling you
Can't you hear me calling you?
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Sam Cooke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lucille Cyr
Johnny each time I hear your version...Cupid you gave me wings to fly. 🧚♂️
john woody
Just seen an old live version of Johnny singing "I can see clearly now", what a great tuneful voice.
Mark B
Rest In Peace Johnny your music brings back great childhood memories of the good old days way back when music was real🎤🎤🎶🎶🎶🎶
LaKara Childers
Rip Johnny! You have now joined the heavenly choir!
Angela DeFoe
Rest in Power!! There’s a party in Heaven tonight... Your legend lives on!!
Shellyandtim Bell
Love it.what a voice.💓💓
Jake Jon
What a voice and what a beautiful song Sam wrote. I love this version. So similar but sooo different at the same time.
tisme Denis
R. I. P Sir, thank you for your talent. Never forgotten. 👏
Solo
Great song, great memories, great singer. RIP Johnny
Irundi Oliveira
Rest in peace,great singer.