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Written and first recorded by Jamaican vocal trio, the Paragons, in 1967, ‘The Tide Is High’ gained international attention 13 years later, when a cover version by the American band Blondie topped the US and UK pop charts. Among later renderings was a similarly styled 2002 version by British girl group, Atomic Kitten, which also made Number One in Britain, but for Jamaican music fans, the original remains the seminal cut. Penned by the group’s three members, John Holt, Tyrone Evans and Howard Barrett, the original cut, recorded at Duke Reid’s famed Treasure Isle studio in Bond Street and featuring musical backing by ‘White Rum’ Raymond along with Tommy McCook’s Supersonics band, saw issue in Jamaica on the producer’s short-lived Trojan label, while in the UK it was released by Graeme Goodall’s Doctor Bird Records on its Treasure Isle subsidiary. In 1970, the recording provided the backing for a DJ cut by celebrated toaster, DJ, while later in the decade, legendary Jamaican singer re-cut a version for producer ‘Prince’ Tony Robinson, although it is Blondie’s hugely successful 1980 rendering of the song that is best known worldwide. THE TIDE IS HIGH LYRICS Written by John Holt, Tyrone Evans and Howard Barrett The tide is high, but I’m holding on I’m gonna be your number one I’m not the kind of man who gives up just like that No, oh It’s not the things you do that really hurt me bad But it’s the way you do the things you do to me I’m not the kind of man gives up just like that No, 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 ’til it’s my turn I’m not the kind of man who gives up just like that No, oh Every man wants you to be his girl But I’ll wait my dear ’til it’s my turn I’m not the kind of man who gives up just like that No, oh The tide is high but I’m holding on I’m gonna be your number one Number one, number one The tide is high but I’m holding on I’m gonna be your number one Number one, number one The tide is high but I’m holding on I’m gonna be your number one Number one, number one Follow Trojan Records: #Paragons #TideIsHigh #Blondie