Fronted by Nicky Bomba (Bomba, John Butler Trio), with his professional, fun and impulsive conducting style, Melbourne Ska Orchestra (MSO) is a fun-loving big band experience with music from the golden ska period of 1963 through to modern day classics. A massive hit at festivals everywhere, the MSO is fast becoming a must-see institution with members hailing from some of the best ska and reggae bands in Australia. Founded in 2003 as a way of celebrating this uplifting music, the MSO is dedicated to educating and entertaining audiences with the sweet sounds of ska – and dancing is compulsory!
The MSO’s repertoire covers tracks from 1963 (Skatalites, Wailers) through to the British Two Tone craze (Madness, Specials etc) and anything positive or significant in between. With original tunes, reggae, rocksteady classics and Latin-based ska in the mix, the MSO energises audiences.
MSO members hail from some of Australia’s leading ska and reggae bands, with past shows featuring special guests including Joe Camilleri, Jali Buba Kuyateh, Dereb Desalegn, Nadee and international reggae greats such as Carlos Malcolm, Dawn Penn and Stranger Cole. The MSO’s first international invitation was to Jamaican singing legend Owen Gray, resulting in a massive sold-out show. As a result Nicky and Owen recorded the track “Inna One Yard” (featured on the “Weekend Sessions 2” CD compilation).
First started in 2003 by musical dynamo and John Butler Trio drummer, Nicky Bomba and PBS FM announcer / Jamaican music historian Mohair Slim, MSO is dedicated to educating and entertaining audiences to the sweet sounds of Jamaican ska and roots music and the evolution of the genre. MSO is fast becoming an institution in the Australian music scene with recent performances at the Byron Bay Blues Festival proving without a doubt, the international calibre of this mighty orchestra.
Paradiso
Melbourne Ska Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With nothing much to show
Hear the money pool is drying up
With twice as many ...
Well if you're carrying the load
Its makes the day grow old
Before its even just begun to wake
There's a trick to flick the page
I heard the message from a sage
Close your eyes and feel the great escape
Paradiso
It's all in the mind
You can take a holiday any old time
Paradiso
It's how you perceive
Find the best in every test and set yourself free
If you think you're on the chain gang line
With no chance of parole
If the treadmill has you magnetized
With your back against the wall
With a clean up you will find
You will get to know your mind
A happy disposition's not far away
With a simple re-adjust
You will blow away the dust
Placid super power activate
Paradiso
It's all in the mind
You can take a holiday any old time
Paradiso
It's how you perceive
Find the best in every test and set yourself free
The more you think about reality
The more the questions arise
The more you read about humanity
See it's far from simplified
There's a key to every soul
There's a place where you belong
Where nothing will affect the goal within
You will know and recognise
When you meet the walking wise
Muscles on your face become a grin
Paradiso
It's all in the mind
You can take a holiday any old time
Paradiso
It's how you perceive
Find the best in every test and set yourself free
Paradiso
It's all in the mind
You can take a holiday any old time
Paradiso
It's how you perceive
Find the best in every test and set yourself free
Paradiso!
The Melbourne Ska Orchestra's "Paradiso" is a song that encourages listeners to change their perception in order to live a happier life. The song begins by acknowledging that many people are working tirelessly to move up in life, but without much to show for it. Meanwhile, the "money pool" is running dry and the treadmill of life can often leave people feeling trapped. However, the song suggests that by simply changing your outlook and approach to life, you can find your own personal paradise or "paradiso."
The song acknowledges that reality can be complicated and raises more questions than answers as we try to understand humanity. But by connecting with the "walking wise," finding the key to our own soul, and recognizing the things that truly make us happy, we can find true inner peace and happiness. The overall message of the song is that we have the power to take control of our own happiness and wellbeing, and that our perception of the world around us can be a powerful tool in achieving that.
Overall, "Paradiso" is a song that encourages listeners to shift their mindset and focus on finding happiness and fulfillment in their own lives. Through this shift in perception, individuals can find their own personal "paradiso" and live a more fulfilled life.
Line by Line Meaning
See the people slaving to the top
Notice those who are struggling to reach the peak of success
With nothing much to show
Despite their efforts, they have not achieved much
Hear the money pool is drying up
Hear that the sources of wealth are decreasing
With twice as many ...
With twice as many people vying for the same opportunities
Well if you're carrying the load
If you are bearing the burden
Its makes the day grow old
It makes the day seem long and tedious
Before its even just begun to wake
Before the day has even properly started
There's a trick to flick the page
There is a technique to turning things around
I heard the message from a sage
I learned this wisdom from a wise person
Close your eyes and feel the great escape
Close your eyes and imagine a peaceful getaway
Paradiso
A state of paradise
It's all in the mind
It is a mental state of being
You can take a holiday any old time
You can mentally escape anytime
It's how you perceive
It is all about how you see things
Find the best in every test and set yourself free
Find the positive in every situation and free yourself from negativity
If you think you're on the chain gang line
If you feel trapped in an unending cycle of work
With no chance of parole
With no way to escape or be released from the cycle
If the treadmill has you magnetized
If you are mesmerized by the monotony of daily life
With your back against the wall
Feeling like you have no options
With a clean up you will find
If you clean up your mindset
You will get to know your mind
You will understand your thoughts and feelings better
A happy disposition's not far away
Happiness is within reach
With a simple re-adjust
With a small change in perspective
You will blow away the dust
You will get rid of the negative and stagnant energy inside you
Placid super power activate
The power of calmness is activated
The more you think about reality
The more you ponder about life's truths
The more the questions arise
The more questions you have
The more you read about humanity
The more you learn about human nature
See it's far from simplified
Understand that it is complicated
There's a key to every soul
There's a way to unlock everyone's true nature
There's a place where you belong
There's a place where you will feel a sense of belonging
Where nothing will affect the goal within
Where nothing will distract you from your ambitions
You will know and recognise
You will have a clear understanding
When you meet the walking wise
When you encounter those who have found inner peace
Muscles on your face become a grin
You will find yourself smiling with joy
Writer(s): Nicholas Caruana, Shalane Maria Edith Connors
Contributed by Elliot S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.