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 Formed in Kingston Jamaica, the Paragons were originally made up of Garth "Tyrone" Evans, Bob Andy, Junior Menz, and Leroy Stamp.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.
I Know a Place
The Paragons Lyrics
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You can't hear music and I can't see the snow
What happened?
Discarded masks and mistletoe
Discarded masks and mistletoe
So burn and inhale the smoke
Burn and inhale the smoke
It makes you stronger
I don't know what I want for Christmas, do you?
You can't hear music and I can't feel the snow
The lyrics to The Paragons' song "I Want to Go" reflect a sense of longing and disconnection during the holiday season. The opening line, "I don't know what I want for Christmas, do you?" suggests a feeling of uncertainty and dissatisfaction. The singer is unsure of what they desire during this festive time, perhaps indicating a deeper emptiness or lack of fulfillment in their life.
The following lines, "You can't hear music and I can't see the snow," further emphasize this theme of disconnection. The inability to experience the joy of music and the beauty of snowfall symbolizes a sense of isolation or detachment from the traditional pleasures associated with the holiday season.
The repeated verse, "Discarded masks and mistletoe, so burn and inhale the smoke, it makes you stronger," adds a somewhat cryptic layer to the lyrics. It suggests a desire to let go of societal expectations or the pretense of the holiday season. By discarding the masks and mistletoe, the singer may be seeking a more authentic, introspective experience. The act of burning and inhaling the smoke can be interpreted as a metaphorical purification or a way to gain strength and clarity.
Overall, "I Want to Go" by The Paragons delves into the complex emotions that can arise during the Christmas season. It explores themes of uncertainty, disconnection, and a yearning for something deeper and more meaningful amidst the festive cheer.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know what I want for Christmas, do you?
I'm unsure of my desires during this holiday season, are you experiencing the same uncertainty?
You can't hear music and I can't see the snow
You lack the ability to perceive auditory stimuli, while I am unable to visually perceive the falling snow
What happened?
What transpired?
Discarded masks and mistletoe
Abandoned facades and traditional symbols of the holiday season
Burn and inhale the smoke
Engage in the act of consuming and breathing in the fumes
It makes you stronger
This action results in augmenting one's strength
I don't know what I want for Christmas, do you?
I still remain uncertain about my desires for this Christmas, do you have any clarity?
You can't hear music and I can't feel the snow
You are incapable of perceiving auditory melodies, while I am unable to physically experience the sensation of touch from the snowflakes
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jon Rees
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind