Montego Bay by Bobby Bloom

Album: Bobby Bloom (1970)

Charted: 3 8

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Songfacts®:

Bloom wrote this about the city in Jamaica. Bloom said of the city when introducing the song: "It has a certain peacefulness that really sticks in your mind. It's the kind of a place that makes you write songs about it."
Jeff Barry wrote this with Bloom and produced the track. Barry, whose songwriting hits include "Be My Baby" and "Leader of the Pack," worked with Bloom on various projects, including a Monkees album.
Bloom did a lot of session work in the '60s while working on his solo material. This was his only hit, as he died on February 28, 1974, at age 28 after he was accidentally shot. >>
Suggestion credit:
Sean - Altoona, WI
This song has an interesting quasi-Jamaican feel, with whistling, hand claps and odd percussion. It was influenced by the bubblegum sound, as Barry and Bloom were working in that genre: Bloom wrote "Indian Giver" and Barry wrote "Sugar, Sugar."
The full version of this song ends with a few bars of "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" from the musical, Oklahoma!. >>
Suggestion credit:
Tony - Vero Beach, FL
In 1986 Amazulu covered this song reaching #16 in the UK and #90 in the US. This was to be the last of four UK Top 20 hits for the British group, their most successful one being another cover, this time of The Chi-Lites "Too Good To Be Forgotten," which peaked at #5. Amazulu were a new wave/ska revival group who comprised five females and a sole male, Nardo Bailey, on drums. Their name means "For the Zulu people" in the Zulu language.

Comments: 11

Jamaican Dude from Montego Bay AmaicaDriving on the left side of the road means the controls are on the right side of the car (i.e. driver's seat, steering wheel and pedals are all on the right side). Coming from the USA, you have to remember to enter the car from the opposite door. Also, especially in the seventies where manual would be common, you will have to operate the gear stick with your other hand. So an American would be initially confused and so make note of the difference.
Eric from CaliforniaIn the Freddy Notes cover version of the song he changes BOAC (the airline) to Boeing (the manufacturer) which is kind of funny.
Kenny from UsTo Don from Maggie Valley: I've always assumed the singer was being playfully sarcastic and taking advantage of the word "right" having two meanings to make a pun. Yes, it can mean "the opposite of left", which is how you're taking it - or it can also mean "OK" or "acceptable". So when they say "it's all on the right side in Montego Bay", I consider it a pun. Yes, you're driving on the left but it's OK because it's all OK in Montego Bay.
Scotty from Springfield OrI wonder if the lyrics are printed on the back of the Montego Bay album as "lyric sites" can't seem to agree on the post bridge phrase "come sing me"
Don from Maggie Valley, North Carolina Question about this song. If I’m correct, they drive on the left side of the road in Jamaica? Both Bobby Bloom and Jeff Barry (writers) are American. After “Vernon” hands over the keys to the MG, the singer has to “adjust to the driving.” That makes sense, since Americans drive on the right side.

But then the next line says “it’s all on the right side of Montego Bay”. That doesn’t make sense. If it’s on the right side, and you’re American, you don’t have to adjust. But since they do drive on the left, an American would have to adjust.

Love this song. But my OCD is trying to figure this out, lol.
Seventhmist from 7th HeavenI lived in Oklahoma when this song came and you can bet that last line made it sell better there.
AnonymousThe line actually is, "Come sing ALOUD, come sing me Montego Bay" (not Come sing me la!...that doesn't make any sense, and I've been singing this song since I was 5!)
Anne from HereThe line is "Vernon will meet me when the BOAC lands." BOAC was the acronym for British Overseas Airways Corporation, which flew into Montego Bay International Airport.
Mavis from Upper MidwestHow is it this very cool song has so few comments? Crank this up and you’ve got instant summer!
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 19th 1970, Bobby Bloom performed "Montego Bay" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
Thirteen days earlier on September 3rd it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #88; and on November 22nd, 1970 it peaked at #8 {for 1 week} and spent 16 weeks on the Top 100...
He had three other records make the Top 100 chart and all three were in 1970; "Where Are We Going" {#84}, "Make Me Happy" {#80}, and "We're All Goin' Home" {#93}...
May he R.I.P. {1946 - 1974}.
Guy from Woodinville, WaThis song truly does capture the ambiance of Montego Bay and Jamaica's laid-back "no worry, mon" culture. Great early example of reggae. Maybe the first reggae on the charts...?

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