Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time and author Jim Adams from A Unique Title For Me is our current guest host. For complete rules or to join in the fun, click here.
This week’s theme is “Written or sung by Tom/Dick/Harry or including one of these names in the lyrics.”
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Though it never charted on the Billboard Hot 100, Funkin’ for Jamaica hit number one on the U.S. R&B chart in 1980 and stayed there for a month. It also peaked at number nine on the dance chart and made the Top 10 on the UK singles chart.
Jazz trumpeter Tom Browne co-wrote the hit with Toni Smith (Thomassina Carrollyne Smith), who performs the vocals, as an homage and memoir of the neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens where Browne was born and raised.
FUN FACTS
- Funkin’ for Jamaica appears on Browne’s second album, Love Approach.
- The song became one of the most interpolated melodies in R&B with the chorus’ chord sequence used by dozens of artists.
- During its initial release, some thought Funkin’ for Jamaica was done by Chaka Khan, mistaking Toni Smith’s wailing vocals for that of the Rufus lead singer.
- Oscar and Grammy-award winning composer and music producer, Dave Grusin, played the piano during the recording session for Funkin’ for Jamaica. He also produced the song, along with Larry Rosen.
Enjoy!
See my Song Lyric Sunday selection for FeliciaDenise.com.
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Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.
Funkin’ for Jamaica
Let it get into you
C’mon I’ve got a groove
You know where I ‘ll be
Funkin’ for Jamaica
If ya feel it let it get into you
Jamaica funk, that’s what it is
Let it get into you
Let it get into you
‘Cause there’s enough to go all the way around
Let it get into you let it fill you up inside
This feelin’s funk that’s what it is
Let it get into you
Jamaica funk that’s what it is
We be funkin for Jamaica
And I let it get into me
Jamaica funk that’s what it was
Let it get into you
That feelin’s funk that’s what it was
And I let it get into me I let it get into me
Whoa whoa whoa this feelin’s funk that’s what it is
I love that bass, it’s off the hook. New song to me. Good choice, Nesie!
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Great song!
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Thanks for stopping by! 😊
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This is certainly different and all the musicians look like they are having so much fun. I love the goofy faces that they are making. Great choice and I think this is going to be a real fun day.
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What a pleasant way to wake up my morning. Great pick.
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Glad you enjoyed it! Happy Sunday! 😊
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Whew!! I had never heard this! Excellent choice.
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Thanks! This was a fun one on the dance floor “back in the day!” 😊
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Brilliant choice 💜
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Thanks, Willow! 😊
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Pleasure 💜
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