Gray won his first talent contest at the age of nine, and by the age of twelve he was already appearing in public, playing drums, guitar, and keyboards. He attended the Alpha Boys School and turned professional aged 19. Gray was a dynamic performer on stage, who could be gritty or suave as the song dictated. He was the first singer (of many) to praise a sound system on record, with his "On the Beach" celebrating Clement Dodd's Sir Coxsone Downbeat system in 1959, one of the first releases on Dodd's Studio One label. He was one of the first artists to be produced by Chris Blackwell, in 1960, and his "Patricia" single was the first record ever released by Island Records. His first single, "Please Let Me Go", reached the top of the charts in Jamaica, and featured a guitar solo from Ernest Ranglin (Ranglin's first recording session). The single also sold well in the United Kingdom, as did subsequent releases, prompting Gray to emigrate there in 1962. He toured Europe in 1964, and by 1966 he was well known as a soul singer as well as for his ska songs. In the rocksteady era, he recorded for producer Sir Clancy Collins. His popularity continued throughout the 1960s, working with producers such as Clement Dodd, Prince Buster, Arthur "Duke" Reid, Leslie Kong, and Clancy Eccles, including work as a duo with Millie Small, with songs ranging from ska to ballads. He continued to record regularly, having a big hit in 1968 with "Cupid". His 1970 track "Apollo 12" found favour with the early skinheads, and in 1972 he returned to Island Records, recording reggae versions of The Rolling Stones' "Tumblin' Dice" and John Lennon's "Jealous Guy", although they met with little success. During this period, he regularly had releases on Pama and sister label, Camel Records, and one single on Hot Lead Records. He had greater success in Jamaica, however, with "Hail the Man", a tribute to Emperor Haile Selassie, which was popular with the increasing Rastafari following. Gray spent a short time living in New Orleans before returning to Jamaica where he turned his hand to roots reggae, working with producer Bunny Lee, and achieving considerable success. In the 1980s relocated to Miami. He has continued to release new material regularly, often concentrating on ballads and Gospel music.
On The Beach
Owen Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on down on the beach.
I was dancing to choose, start to make my date
The girls says listen to me daddy, its starting to get late
one the beach, come on down to the beach.
I was dancing to the music ---- on the beach.
In the song "On the Beach" by Owen Gray, the lyrics depict a carefree and joyful experience of being at the beach on a Sunday morning. The singer invites listeners to join him and sets the scene for a lively day by the shore. The first line, "I so feeling on the beach on a Sunday morning," suggests that the singer is in a relaxed and contented state as he enjoys the seaside atmosphere.
As the song progresses, the singer expresses his excitement about dancing and socializing at the beach. He encourages others to join him by saying, "Come on down on the beach." The mention of dancing implies a lively and energetic scene, where people are moving to the rhythm of the music. This indicates a festive and celebratory atmosphere, where the beach is transformed into a dancefloor.
The lyrics then introduce a girl who catches the singer's attention. She advises him to listen because it is getting late, hinting at the passing of time and the need to make the most of the day. Her comment might also suggest a potential romantic interest or a playful interaction between the two. Regardless, it adds an additional layer of urgency and excitement to the singer's experience at the beach.
Lastly, the repeated phrase "on the beach, come on down to the beach," emphasizes the singer's enthusiasm and the inclusive nature of his invitation. Through this repetition, he encourages everyone to join the gathering and experience the joy of dancing and enjoying the music in this idyllic setting. Overall, the lyrics of "On the Beach" capture the carefree and exhilarating atmosphere of a Sunday morning by the seaside, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere and let the music guide their movements.
Line by Line Meaning
I so feeling on the beach on a sunday morning
I am experiencing a strong emotion while being on the beach on a peaceful Sunday morning
Come on down on the beach
Join me and come down to the beach
I was dancing to choose, start to make my date
I was dancing to select a partner, beginning to make plans for a romantic encounter
The girls says listen to me daddy, its starting to get late
A girl insists on me paying attention, indicating that time is passing quickly
on the beach, come on down to the beach
On the beach, I encourage you to come and join me on the beach
I was dancing to the music ---- on the beach
I was moving rhythmically to the musical tunes while being on the beach
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GRAY, OWEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dj Rickey Ricardo
Pull up dis 🔥🔥🔥 have you heard the orginal from the 60s i love owen gray 🙏
Mogli puma
yes love the original too
colin balfour
I prefer the Coxsone version.