+ scroll down for versions of Montego Bay by Jon Stevens and The Allniters
Single:
Montego Bay by Bobby Bloom entered the Australian singles chart* on 19 October 1970 and peaked at #9. It was the #63 song on the Top 100 of 1970.
Songwriters:
Jeff Barry, Bobby Bloom, Richard Rodgers**, Oscar Hammerstein II**
Producer:
Jeff Barry
Record label of Australian release:
Polydor
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
**In the master recording of the song (2nd clip below), Bloom breaks into a chorus of Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ (from Oklahoma!) at the end of the recording, hence the songwriting credit to Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Longer version that concludes with lyrics from Oklahoma!:
BONUS VERSIONS BELOW – covers by Jon Stevens and The Allniters
Wikipedia:
Montego Bay was produced and co-written by prolific hit-maker Jeff Barry.
The song features a whistler and Jamaican instruments to illustrate the city of Montego Bay in a calypso genre.
Montego Bay is the capital of the parish of St. James in Jamaica. It is a popular tourist destination featuring duty-free shopping, a cruise line terminal and several beaches and resorts.
Read more – the song: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montego_Bay_(song)
Read more – the city: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montego_Bay
Songfacts:
Bobby Bloom said of the city of Montego Bay 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.”
Read more: www.songfacts.com/facts/bobby-bloom/montego-bay
Lyrics:
Vernon’ll meet me when the BOAC lands
Keys to the M.G. will be in his hands
Adjust to the driving and I’m on my way
It’s all on the right side in Montego Bay, sing out
Click for full lyrics
This song is also on our Spotify playlist Bang a Gong – the 70s
Find more songs to enjoy: Bang a Gong song finder
BONUS VERSIONS – Jon Stevens & The Allniters
Montego Bay was released in 1980 by New Zealand singer Jon Stevens, best known as the lead singer of Noiseworks (1986–1992). It was also on his album Jezebel. Neither the single or album charted in Australia, but reached #1 and #7 respectively in NZ.
Montego Bay was covered in 1983 by Sydney-based Australian ska pop band, The Allniters. Their version entered the Australian singles chart* on 26 September 1983 and peaked at #19. It was also on their album D-D-D-Dance which entered the Australian albums chart* on 24 October 1983 and peaked at #18.
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
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