1) The Par… Read Full Bio ↴Three groups have recorded under the name "The Paragons".
1) The Paragons was an influential rocksteady band from Kingston, Jamaica, operating in the 1960s.
2) The Paragons was a doo wop group perhaps best known for their 1957 single Florence.
3.) Charlotte, NC, '60s garage band. "I saw Abba late last night."
1) If you're familiar with the song "The Tide Is High" you probably know it as a huge hit for Blondie, but before Deborah Harry and company got a hold of it, it was a 1960s hit in for the Paragons. Formed in Kingston Jamaica, the Paragons were originally made up of Garth "Tyrone" Evans, Bob Andy, Junior Menz, and Leroy Stamp. In 1964, just before they broke big in Jamaica, Stamp was replaced by John Holt, and Menz (who left to join another Jamaican vocal group the Techniques) was replaced by Howard Barret. The early Paragons sound is heavily influence by American soul music and the singing is in the familiar tight, interlocking harmony style of Jamaican vocal trios and quartets of the early '60s. In 1964, the group caught the attention of legendary producer Coxsone Dodd who immediately brought the group to Jamiaca's famous Studio One and under the watchful eyes and ears of Duke Reid (who became the group's mentor) cut a succession of popular singles such as "Love At Last" and "Good Luck and Goodbye" for Reid's label Treasure Isle.
Not long after this first flush of success Bob Andy quit the group and the Paragons stopped recording as John Holt (who by this point had emerged as the group's leader) decided that the group should soften their soulful sound and go for a more root-heavy rock steady approach. It turned out to be a good idea as the Paragons became the most popular rock-steady vocal act in Jamaica and in Britain. But money problems, specifically issues over why the group wasn't rich after more than a dozen number one Jamaican hits, led to the band's breakup. Of the members only John Holt went on to have a significant solo career. Still, the Paragons recordings, including "The Tide Is High," are some of the most wonderful and sublime moments in Jamaican pop.
Happy Go Lucky Girl
The Paragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah, what can I do?
Imagine how many pride you've broke
Imagine how many hearts you've stole
Everyone in town knows about you
Happy go lucky girl
Hard-headed girl
I have tried my best to change you
Oh, how much I'd love to control you
Ah, happy go lucky girl
Ah, happy go lucky girl
Imagine how many pride you've broke
Imagine how many hearts you've stole
Everyone in town knows about you
Happy go lucky girl
The life you live isn't good
Hard-headed girl
I have tried my best to change you
Oh, how much I'd love to control you
Ah, happy go lucky girl
Ah, happy go lucky girl
Ah, happy go lucky girl
The lyrics of The Paragons' song "Happy Go Lucky Girl" tell the story of a woman who lives a carefree life, breaking hearts and causing trouble wherever she goes. The singer is frustrated by her actions, feeling like he has no control over her and unable to change her ways. He laments the damage she has caused to others and to herself, acknowledging that her behavior is well-known in their town. The repetition of the lines "Ah, what can I do?" and "Happy go lucky girl" highlight the singer's sense of helplessness and resignation.
The song's lyrics reflect a common theme in music, particularly in the doo-wop and R&B genres of the 1950s and 60s, where male singers would often lament the actions of wayward women. In this case, the "happy go lucky girl" is portrayed as a figure of both desire and danger, with the singer acknowledging his love for her while also recognizing the harm she causes.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, what can I do?
The singer feels helpless to change the behavior of the subject of the song.
Ah, what can I do?
The singer reiterates their feelings of powerlessness in the situation.
Imagine how many pride you've broke
The subject of the song has caused many people to feel embarrassed or humiliated.
Imagine how many hearts you've stole
The subject has caused many people to fall in love with them or become attached to them.
Everyone in town knows about you
The subject is well-known and their reputation precedes them.
Happy go lucky girl
The subject appears carefree and happy, but the singer indicates that this is not entirely true.
The life you live isn't good
Despite appearances, the subject is living a life that is not fulfilling or healthy.
Hard-headed girl
The subject is stubborn and resistant to change.
I have tried my best to change you
The artist has attempted to intervene and influence the subject's behavior.
Oh, how much I'd love to control you
The artist expresses a desire to exert power over the subject and make them change their ways.
Ah, happy go lucky girl
The singer repeats their initial impression of the subject, suggesting that their appearance is deceiving.
Ah, happy go lucky girl
The repetition emphasizes the contrast between the subject's outward demeanor and their true state.
Ah, happy go lucky girl
The final repetition emphasizes the singer's feelings of frustration and helplessness.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: JOHN HOLT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vikki Smith
I just can't understand how these songs are not getting good ratings. These songs and artists of 60s, 70s and 80s are the BEST with clean Lyrics.
CSC Driver
People just don't know these tunes exist.
Scarlet Web
Me too
Jason Cummings
Because people's taste in quality are declining.
Marva Dh
These songs are the best everytime.
Oswald Thomas
These are the song they should be playing. This is Jamaica best of the best.
Vikki Smith
Put it on the radio so the world can hear it.
Scarlet Web
Wonderful song
Law - PhD
Fire !! 👊🏿 🇯🇲
Talles Rodrigues
What was being played in Arcueid's head during the resurrection: