Jamaica
The story of the song
The Story of the Song
In 1982, on his album Carry On, Bobby Caldwell wrote and produced “Jamaica,” a breezy, island-tinged song inspired by his friend Bob Marley. Polydor released it as a single in early 1982, it reached the R&B chart, and decades later the Jamaica Observer reported that it is still often played on the island’s radio.
Quick facts
| Written by | Bobby Caldwell |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Bobby Caldwell |
| Released | 1982 (single: Polydor PD 2202, B-side “Catwalk”) |
| Album | Carry On (1982) |
| Label | Polydor |
| Peak | No. 54, Billboard R&B singles |
A song for Bob Marley
Bobby got to know Bob Marley through friends, and his mother, a Florida real estate broker, sold Marley a home. In a 2019 interview with Richmond Magazine, Bobby called Marley “the catalyst for that song.” Knowing him, Bobby said, gave him the feeling that he had been to Jamaica, “when, indeed, I hadn’t. I still never have.”
The record
“Jamaica” is the sixth track on Carry On, which Bobby produced himself. The album’s players included Jeff Porcaro, Steve Lukather, David Paich and Steve Porcaro, and its string arrangements were by James Newton Howard with David and Marty Paich.
Polydor issued the song as a single in early 1982, with “Catwalk” on the B-side. It reached No. 54 on the Billboard R&B chart and just missed the Hot 100, peaking at No. 105.
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A note to the tourist board
The song was such a postcard to the island that Bobby sent it to the Jamaica Tourist Board. Asked in 2019 what they said, he answered: “There was none.”
“Jamaica Sentimental”
In Japan, Carry On was released as Seaside Sentimental and the song as “Jamaica Sentimental.” The album went gold there, and the song stayed with Bobby for decades: he was still performing it at Billboard Live Tokyo in 2019.
Keep listening
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Dive into the timeless sounds of Bobby Caldwell, the legendary singer and songwriter behind the classic hit “What You Won’t Do For Love.” Experience his soulful voice and smooth jazz melodies that have captivated audiences for decades. You can enjoy Bobby Caldwell’s extensive catalog on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other major streaming platforms. Discover why his music continues to inspire and resonate with fans around the world.
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