This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I was walkin' down the street
Concentratin' on truckin' right
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked 'round in a state of fright
I saw four faces, one mad, a brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit and turned to each other
I say, I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it
I don't like cricket, no, no, I love it
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
Well, he looked down on my silver chain
He said, "I'll give you one dollar"
I said: You've got to be jokin', man
It was a present from me mother
He said, "I like it, I want it, I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You better understand that you're alone"
(A long way from home)
And I say, I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it
I don't like reggae, I love it
Don't you cramp me style
Don't you queer me pitch
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I hurried back to the swimmin' pool, sinkin' pina colada
I heard a dark voice beside me say
"Would you like somethin' harder?"
She said, "I've got it, you want it
My harvest is the best, and if you try it
You'll like it and wallow in a dreadlock holiday"
And I say, don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her (dreadlock holiday)
Concentratin' on truckin' right
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked 'round in a state of fright
I saw four faces, one mad, a brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit and turned to each other
I say, I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it
I don't like cricket, no, no, I love it
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
Well, he looked down on my silver chain
He said, "I'll give you one dollar"
I said: You've got to be jokin', man
It was a present from me mother
He said, "I like it, I want it, I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You better understand that you're alone"
(A long way from home)
And I say, I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it
I don't like reggae, I love it
Don't you cramp me style
Don't you queer me pitch
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I hurried back to the swimmin' pool, sinkin' pina colada
I heard a dark voice beside me say
"Would you like somethin' harder?"
She said, "I've got it, you want it
My harvest is the best, and if you try it
You'll like it and wallow in a dreadlock holiday"
And I say, don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her
Don't you walk through my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk through my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet
I don't like cricket, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like reggae, oh no, I love it (dreadlock holiday)
I don't like Jamaica, oh no, I love her (dreadlock holiday)
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Heh summerlr! maybe I'm wrong, but the chorus to me has always seemed really relevant to the song. When the singer is saying he loves Jamaica / cricket etc, I think he's playing the character in the story he's telling. I interpret this kind of pronouncement as an attempt to appease his aggressor by using complimentary statements of conciliation. It's just a tactful way of getting himself out of danger. What do you reckon? Quality tune anyways.
This is one of the most hilarious songs I've ever heard. Cracks me up every time. Is obviously about the average Englishman taking a holiday in Jamaica and although there's a difference of cultures between him and the locals they can still relate to each other by talking about cricket or having a drink or smoke etc.
Nobody has commented this song yet? Nothing to say about it, I love this song.
Awsome song, im guessing it was about a man takin a vaction in Jamaica and getting lost
"Don't you walk through my words, you got to show some respect/'cos you ain't heard me out yet" should be obvious - he's trying to ignore someone who's addressing him in the street. Well, you would, wouldn't you, if you felt uncomfortable and a little bit menaced in a strange culture.
The accent used is not really "broken", it's a somewhat diluted Jamaican accent used to give some flavour to the song, even though it's sung from the point of view of the English white guy. In places he's quoting what was said to him by the locals, so the accent also adds a bit of local colour there too.
Re srkikid's comment: "I don't get it: if this is a song about an average Englishman on his holiday in Jamaica, how come that he speaks such a broken English?" obviously this commenter hasn't talked to a lot of poms - many non-upperclass English people say "me" instead of "my" (as do Australians). Many white guys also do refer to black guys as 'brothers" perhaps in an effort either to be cool or to be 'one world inclusive".
Also, I always thought the words were "If you walk thru my world, You got to show some respect", which makes more sense to me than "Don't you walk thru my words You got to show some respect"
They play this song a lot here in Australia during cricket season. But, I haven't seen the video yet! Must find it. (In general I agree with tallica and IntravenusDeMilo above, about its overall meaning.)
'Dreadlock Holiday' is about a real holiday the lyricist took in Jamaica, with Moody Blues frontman, Justin Hayward. This can be verified on a number of sites.
I should say, he was in Barbados - not Jamaica.<br />
Best reggae song of all time by a white group? I don't know, that's it! Also UB40 and Madness (some of their tunes).
This is SOOOO GOOD!!! I think it's their best song! I share ayane's surprise; i mean generally: why aren't there more comments on songs from 10cc???
is this song called dreadlock holiday? i thought it was called i dont like cricket? awesome song though! the chorus has nothing to do with the rest of it but that makes it really funny..dont you think?