Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)

Tom Browne

About Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)

"Funkin' for Jamaica (N. Y.)" is a 1980 single by jazz trumpeter Tom Browne. The single—a memoir of the neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens where Browne was born and raised—is from his second solo album, Love Approach. Browne got the idea for the song while he was at his parents' home. The vocals for the single were performed by Toni Smith (Thomassina Carrollyne Smith), who also helped compose the song. The song hit number one on the U. S. R&B chart for a month. "Funkin' for Jamaica" peaked at number nine on the dance chart and made the Top 10 on the UK singles chart, but it never charted on the Billboard Hot 100. It later became one of the most interpolated melodies in R&B with the chorus' chord sequence used by artists such as Johnny Kemp. 


Year:
1979
4:43
89 
#2

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Jamaica funk, that's what it is 
let it get into you 
C'mon I've got a groove  
you know where I 'll be
Funkin for Jamaica 
If ya feel it let it get into you 
Jamaica funk, that's what it is 
let it get into you 

I feel it inside my soul 
let it get into you 
Cause there's enough to go all the way around 
let it get into you let it fill you up inside 
This feelin's funk that's what it is 
let it get into you 
Jamaica funk that's what it is  
we be funkin for Jamaica

If ya feel it 
and I let it get into me
Jamaica funk that's what it was 
let it get into you
That feelin's funk that's what it was 
and I let it get into me I let it get into me 
woa woa woa this feelin's funk that's what it is

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Tom Browne

Tom Browne (born October 30, 1954, Queens, New York) is a jazz trumpeter who rose to prominence first through his early work with Sonny Fortune, and scored two major hits in 1980 and 1981: the No. 1 R&B single "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)" and the No. 4 R&B single Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move). more »

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Written by: THOMAS BROWNE, THOMASSINA SMITH

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Funkin' For Jamaica (N.Y.)" is classified under the funk and jazz-fusion genre.
Artists involved
The song was produced and performed by the American musician Tom Browne, alongside vocalist Tonni Smith who took charge of the vocal duties for the song.
Year of Release
"Funkin' For Jamaica (N.Y.)" was released in the year 1980.
Chart Performance
It topped the U.S. Billboard R&B and dance chart for a month, and also reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Unique Aspect
The song is renowned for Browne's muted trumpet lines, a vital pivot in the song’s rhythm.
Music Video
There is no official music video for "Funkin' For Jamaica (N.Y.)" due to it being released before the era of music videos being prevalent.
Production Information
The track was produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen, who were pioneers in the jazz-fusion movement.
Album Appearance
The song appears on Tom Browne's second album, Love Approach, which was released in 1980.
Song's Inspiration
The song is a tribute to the musicianship of Jamaica, Queens; a neighborhood in New York, thus the "(N.Y.)" in its title.
Cover Versions and Samples
"Funkin' For Jamaica" has been covered by artists like Mariah Carey and it has been sampled numerously in hip-hop, often recognized from its unique bass line. It has been sampled by artists including Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, and Snoop Dogg among others.
Legacy
Today, "Funkin’ For Jamaica (N.Y.)" stands as one of the most emblematic songs of the dance club era and is still frequently played at clubs and on radio stations that feature dance music.

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    "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.) Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/16896/Tom+Browne/Funkin%27+for+Jamaica+%28N.Y.%29>.

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