Third World is a Jamaican reggae group consisting of William 'Bunny Rugs' C… Read Full Bio ↴Third World is a Jamaican reggae group consisting of William 'Bunny Rugs' Clark (vocals), Steven 'Cat' Coore (guitar, cello, harmonica, vocals), Richard 'Richie' Daley (bass, vocals), Herbert Harris (Keyboard), and Tony Williams (drummer).

They were formed in 1973 and are still releasing records today. Their lineup has changed over the years, as has their musical style, although it has not strayed too far from the "roots reggae" style that they are generally categorized as.

With Dean Pond in the touring lineup (Dean Pond, founder of Dub Mystic and one time musical director and drummer for Culture, and V.I. producer of the year) this year (??) should prove to be even bigger for Third World.

We Could Be Jammin' Reggae
Third World Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We could be jammin' reggae
We could be jammin' reggae

She was raised on burgers and fries
Hot dogs, popcorn and chewing gum
She wanted something different in her life
(Always got the snow, craving for the sun)
In the city all her working days

Fantasizing a sweet island holiday
You deserve an ivory trip someone said
When she turned around
She was looking in the eyes of a Dread
Send a telex home to your Mama
Tell her what the Rasta man said

You ain't living to work
But, you're working to live, oooh
So you gotta, gotta, gotta gotta
Grab a little reggae love and dance

[Chorus:]
We could be jammin'reggae
We could be dancin' all night long
We should be jammin'reggae
We should be dancin' 'til the morning sun

Hundred smackers in her Levi's
The girl took off into the friendly skies
She couldn't believe her own very eyes
She was in for a big surprise
Jammin' on the beach in the middle of the night
Was her Mama as plain as daylight
Dancin' with the same Dread who turned around to her and said
Send a telex home to your Papa
Tell him that you're never gonna come on home
Cause in your whole life you've never been happier
So he'd better, better Daddy, please, you'd better
Come on down, Oh

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "We Could Be Jammin' Reggae" by Third World explores the idea of escaping a mundane existence and searching for something more fulfilling. The lyrics suggest that the fast-paced city life can often leave people feeling unfulfilled and craving a different lifestyle. The singer in the song, a woman, is searching for a change in her life after being raised on a diet of fast food and consumer culture. She fantasizes about going on an island holiday and exploring a new way of life.

The lyrics suggest that the woman meets a Rasta man who changes her life forever. He tells her to send a message home to her mama and papa and tells her that she isn't living to work, but working to live. The Rasta man encourages her to grab some reggae love and dance, highlighting the uplifting and positive nature of the reggae genre. In the chorus, the song suggests that they could be jamming reggae and dancing all night long, which is a metaphor for living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment.

The song is a reflection of the reggae genre's roots in Jamaican culture, where music and dance are integral parts of the community. The lyrics explore themes of escapism, freedom, happiness, and self-realization, which are all common in reggae music. Overall, "We Could Be Jammin' Reggae" is a celebration of life and the joy that can be found in seeking new experiences and embracing different cultures.

Line by Line Meaning

We could be jammin' reggae
Let's enjoy and dance to reggae music together

She was raised on burgers and fries
She grew up eating fast food and snacks

Hot dogs, popcorn and chewing gum
She was accustomed to consuming unhealthy and convenient foods

She wanted something different in her life
She desired a change in her lifestyle

(Always got the snow, craving for the sun)
She always had to deal with cold weather and longed for warmth and sunshine

In the city all her working days
She spent most of her time working in the urban area

Fantasizing a sweet island holiday
She dreamed of having a relaxing beach vacation

You deserve an ivory trip someone said
Someone recommended that she should indulge in a luxurious trip

When she turned around
She suddenly looked back

She was looking in the eyes of a Dread
She saw a Rastafarian man looking at her

Send a telex home to your Mama
Contact your mother through a telegram

Tell her what the Rasta man said
Inform her about what the Rastafarian man had told you

You ain't living to work
You shouldn't just exist to work

But, you're working to live, oooh
Work to earn a living

So you gotta, gotta, gotta gotta
You definitely need to

Grab a little reggae love and dance
Enjoy some reggae music and dance

[Chorus:]
Refrain/Chorus of the song

We could be jammin'reggae
Let's enjoy and dance to reggae music together

We could be dancin' all night long
We can dance until the night ends

We should be jammin'reggae
We ought to enjoy and dance to reggae music together

We should be dancin' 'til the morning sun
We should dance until the sun rises

Hundred smackers in her Levi's
She had a hundred-dollar bill in her Levi's jeans

The girl took off into the friendly skies
She flew away into the welcoming blue skies

She couldn't believe her own very eyes
She was astonished by what she witnessed

She was in for a big surprise
There was an unexpected turn of events

Jammin' on the beach in the middle of the night
Dancing to music on the seashore during the night

Was her Mama as plain as daylight
It was as if her mother was right in front of her

Dancin' with the same Dread who turned around to her and said
Her mother was dancing with the Rastafarian man who spoke to her earlier

Send a telex home to your Papa
Contact your father through a telegram

Tell him that you're never gonna come on home
Say that you have no plans to return home

Cause in your whole life you've never been happier
Because you have never been this content in your entire life

So he'd better, better Daddy, please, you'd better
It's wiser for your father to

Come on down, Oh
Visit her in her current location

[Chorus]
Refrain/Chorus of the song

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: K. MICHAEL M. COOPER, RICHARD DALEY, STEPHEN HALDANE COORE, WILLIAM ALEXANDER CLARK, WILLIAM JOHN LEE STEWART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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