"Caribbean Queen" was originally "European Queen," released under that title throughout Europe, which seemed to make sense geographically but didn't connect with listeners - the song flopped, except in Germany, where it went to #2. For one of the 12-inch disco mixes, Ocean made a version called "Caribbean Queen," which was easy enough to do because he just had to sing the word "Caribbean," which was then edited into the song.
For the American release, Ocean's label decided to go with "Caribbean Queen," so they made a radio edit of that version. The simple change made all the difference: The song caught fire and became a huge hit in the US, climbing to #1 in November 1984. The "Caribbean Queen" version was then issued in Europe and took off there as well. In the UK, where Ocean was based, "European Queen" stalled at #82 in June 1984 but "Caribbean Queen" went to #6 in November. A third version, "African Queen," was made for that continent.
The song finds Billy Ocean in the role of a playboy who accidentally falls in love - the storyline of many a romantic comedy. When he falls for the Caribbean Queen, there's no more love on the run because he knows she's the one.
Ocean came up with the song by tapping out a vocal melody and then filling in the lyrics. His songs are rarely personal, drawing instead on matters of the heart with universal appeal. He had been married for several years when this song was released.
"Caribbean Queen" was an emphatic comeback song for Billy Ocean, who started his solo career in the early '70s using his real name, Les Charles. His first single as Billy Ocean was "
Love Really Hurts Without You" in 1976, which was a solid hit, going to #22 in the US and #2 in the UK. He had more hits in the UK over the next few years but faded into obscurity in the early '80s. "Caribbean Queen" turned it around fast and he took advantage by taking every opportunity he could to make more hits and promote them accordingly. His next two singles, "
Loverboy" and "Suddenly," did very well across the globe, and he kept the momentum going throughout the '80s with two more American #1 hits: "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" and "
Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car," and the UK chart-topper "
When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" from the movie
The Jewel Of The Nile.
Ocean is known for his work ethic and focus, which put him in a position to succeed. He was born in Trinidad and lived in cramped quarters when he and his family moved to London when Billy was 10. He worked as a tailor while pursuing his dreams of making music, bouncing around to different labels until he finally landed a hit. He stayed away from the vices that plagued many singers once they got a taste of fame, so he was ready for this second chance.
For the Suddenly album, Jive Records teamed Ocean with producer Keith Diamond, who, like Ocean, is from Trinidad. Along with Ocean, Diamond is credited as a co-writer on this track. Diamond went on to write and produce hits for Starpoint ("Object Of My Desire") and Freddie Jackson ("He'll Never Love You (Like I Do)").
Notice that Ocean pronounces it "care-i-BEE-un," not "cur-IB-ee-an" like many do. His pronunciation is the most common, and being from Trinidad (in the Caribbean), he would know. One thing for sure, his pronunciation sings a lot better.
Like many pop songs from 1984, the rhythm was created with a drum machine and there's a saxophone solo for the bridge. Ocean and his producer Keith Diamond programmed the drums and Jeff Smith played the saxophone. They recorded the song in New York City, with Ocean traveling from London for the session.
The music video, directed by Michael Geoghegan, was originally released as "European Queen" but edited for the "Caribbean Queen" version - near the beginning you can see a poster which at first reads "European Queen" and then changes to "Caribbean Queen."
The video did well on MTV, which had just recently started playing Black artists thanks to Michael Jackson and Prince.
The song won the 1984 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance. It gave Billy Ocean his first American #1, and also hit #1 on the Hot R&B Singles/Tracks and Club Play Billboard charts.
This was Ocean's first single for Jive Records, who also had A Flock Of Seagulls and Roman Holliday on their roster. Ocean was their biggest act from this era, and when "Caribbean Queen" sailed to #1 in America, it was Jive's first chart-topper. Over the next few years Jive moved into hip-hop with acts like Whodini, Kool Moe Dee, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
This was used in the 1985 Miami Vice episode "The Prodigal Son." It also appeared in episodes of Knight Rider, Scrubs, The King of Queens (three times) and King of the Hill. In a 2006 episode of Everybody Hates Chris (set in the '80s) the song plays in a scene where Tonya's brother teaches her how to moonwalk. Tonya is "obsessed" with Billy Ocean, but her brother is a Michael Jackson fan. "He's the greatest entertainer in history," she tells him of Ocean. "He's way better than Michael Jackson."
