In 1971 the band shortened its name to The Crusaders, which made sense seeing as they were playing much more funk than jazz. The core group of Sample, Felder, Hooper, and Henderson remained and they added guitarists Larry Carlton and bassist Robert "Pops" Popwell. Henderson left the Crusaders in 1975, with Hooper leaving in 1983.
Henderson subsequently revived the "Jazz Crusaders" moniker (over Sample's objections) for 1995's Happy Again, and was joined by Wilton Felder and Larry Carlton. This new group (officially known as "Wayne Henderson's Jazz Crusaders") released a series of recordings in the late 1990s, but the music bore little resemblance to the acoustic, hard bop style of the original group. In 2003, Sample, Felder, and Hooper revived The Crusaders.
Jamaica
The Jazz Crusaders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
too bizarreAnd all of my friends seem ordinaryAs
compared to the RastafarNo, I can't wait to see
the cityHave a drink inside my favorite barSo if you
leave me, that's a pityMaybe I'm better off by
farOh, JamaicaHold meCome let your arms
enfold meForever and everSomeone told meLove
grows Here in JamaicaLeaving you, how could I
I'd said my last goodbyeAnd now my life seems so
contraryAs the stars fill the evening skyOh,
JamaicaHold meCome let your arms enfold meForever
and everSomeone told meLove growsHere in
JamaicaLeaving you, how could I ever
The Jazz Crusaders' song "Jamaica" is a captivating melody that tells a story of someone who seeks solace and reassurance in Jamaica. The opening lines, "When the world gets too much to carry, and when life becomes too bizarre," showcases the struggles the singer faces in their everyday life. They feel unfulfilled and alienated from their friends until they discover the Rastafarian way of life.
The singer describes their longing to be in Jamaica, where they can relax and rejuvenate. The chorus, "Jamaica, hold me, come let your arms enfold me, forever and ever," expresses their desire to stay in Jamaica and never leave. The singer believes that Jamaica's love is pure and everlasting, as expressed in the line, "someone told me love grows here in Jamaica."
The final lines, "Leaving you, how could I ever," implies the singer's reluctance to leave Jamaica behind. The song's smooth jazz sound and captivating lyrics are a testament to the Jazz Crusaders' exceptional musicality and songwriting skills.
Line by Line Meaning
When the world gets too much to carry
When I feel overwhelmed and burdened by the troubles of the world
And when life becomes too bizarre
And when life becomes too strange and unpredictable
And all of my friends seem ordinary
And when all of my friends seem unremarkable
As compared to the Rastafar
As compared to the Rastafarians, who I look up to and admire
No, I can't wait to see the city
I can't wait to see the city, despite my troubles
Have a drink inside my favorite bar
I will have a drink at my favorite bar to ease my troubles
So if you leave me, that's a pity
If you leave me, it would be a shame
Maybe I'm better off by far
Maybe I am better off without you
Oh, Jamaica
Oh, beautiful Jamaica
Hold me
Embrace me
Come let your arms enfold me
Come and hug me tightly
Forever and ever
For an eternity
Someone told me
I heard that
Love grows Here in Jamaica
Love thrives in Jamaica
Leaving you, how could I ever
How could I ever leave you
As I ran for the ocean ferry
As I boarded the ferry to leave Jamaica
Well, I knew I'd said my last goodbye
I realized I had said goodbye to Jamaica for the last time
And now my life seems so contrary
And now my life seems so different and difficult without Jamaica
As the stars fill the evening sky
As I look up at the stars in the night sky
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, THE MUSIC FORCE LLC
Written by: BOBBY CALDWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Kirk
Sweet voice of Bobby Caldwell forever with jazz lovers..