The Tide Is High

John Holt

About The Tide Is High

"The Tide Is High" is a 1967 song written by John Holt, originally produced by Duke Reid and performed by the Jamaican group The Paragons, with Holt as lead singer. The song gained international attention in 1980, when a version by the American band Blondie became a US/UK number one hit. The British girl group Atomic Kitten also had a number one hit with their version of the song in 2002, while Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall had a minor hit with his interpretation in 2008.  


Year:
2005
2:54
23 
#1

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The tide is high but I'm holding on 
I'm gonna be your number one 

I'm not the kinda man who gives up just like that, no oh oh oh
It's not the things you do, that really hurts me bad 
But it's the way you do the things, you do to me 

I'm not the kinda man who gives up just like that no oh oh oh
The tide is high but I'm holding on 
I'm gonna be your number one 
Number one, number one 

Every man wants you to be his girl 
But I'll wait my dear 'till it's my turn 
I'm not the kinda man who gives up just like that, no oh oh oh

Every man wants you to be his girl 
But I'll wait my dear 'till it's my turn 
I'm not the kinda man who gives up just like that, no oh oh oh

The tide is high but I'm holding on 
I'm gonna be your number one 
The tide is high but I'm holding on 
I'm gonna be your number one
The tide is high but I'm holding on 
I'm gonna be your number one

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John Holt

John Holt (born John Kenneth Holt, 11 July 1947, Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae singer and songwriter. more »

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Written by: JOHN KENNETH HOLT, TYRONE EVANS

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Original Creators
The Paragons, a rocksteady band from Jamaica, originally recorded "The Tide Is High" in 1967.
Songwriter Credits
The song is primarily credited to John Holt, who was the lead singer of The Paragons.
Iconic Backing Vocals
U-Roy, a well-known artist in the reggae and dancehall scene, featured as a backing vocalist on The Paragons' original version.
Meaning of Lyrics
"The Tide Is High" explores themes of unwavering love and resilience in the face of difficult circumstances.
Popularity in UK
The Paragons' "The Tide Is High" became a popular hit in the UK even though it didn't break into mainstream charts upon its initial release.
Blondie's Interpretation
Blondie, an American rock band led by Debbie Harry, recorded a cover of "The Tide Is High" in 1980.
Global Success
Blondie's cover of "The Tide Is High" landed at the top spot on music charts in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the UK.
Reggae Influence
Despite Blondie being associated with the punk, new wave and pop genres, their version of "The Tide Is High" retains the reggae vibe of the original version.
Incorporation of Brass
Blondie's cover stood out for its incorporation of brass and the chachalaca (mark tree), enriching the song's texture.
Award Winning
Blondie's version of "The Tide Is High" won a Grammy award for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance" in 1981.
Usage in Movies and TV
Over the years, "The Tide Is High" has been featured in several movies and television shows, including "Mean Girls," "Gilmore Girls," and "The Deuce."
Later Covers
The song has been covered by several artists since Blondie's release, including Atomic Kitten, whose version reached the number one spot in the UK charts in 2002.
Iconic Video
Blondie's music video for "The Tide Is High" is iconic, featuring Debbie Harry in a dreamlike state as she's crowned "Queen of Mars".
B-side
The B-side of Blondie's single was "Suzie and Jeffrey", a track which told the story of a couple.

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