In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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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?