Island Swing is a b-side to the 1988 James single What For.
The song is much older than that however, having been played at their Manchester Hacienda gig in November 1983.
Details
LyricsListenReleaseAvailable OnGigsGuitar Tabs
Pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay pay pay...
The ambassador's spying while the generals make plans
But they hadn't prepared for the shifting sands
Set up the tents on a moonless night
When the sun came up there was nothing in sight
Ba ba ba baa...
Ba ba ba baa...
If you don't know the culture, the language or the land
What gives you the right to make such a stand
The cameras look another way
They will always find some other way
While the local pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay pay pay
The local pay 'em, pay'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay pay pay
Island swing that's the island sting
They may know what's good for you
Ba ba ba baa....
Ba ba ba baa....
By sending in the tourists you saved yourself a war
The sharks got rich while the locals stay poor
You can trade with sharks, they're of your own kind
At the head of every country it's a bitch that you'll find
Island swing, that's the island sting
They may know what's good for you
The ambassador's spying while the generals make plans
But they hadn't prepared for the shifting sands
Set up the tents on a moonless night
When the sun came up there was nothing in sight
Ba ba ba baa...
Ba ba ba baa...
If you don't know the culture, the language or the land
What gives you the right to make such a stand
The cameras look another way
They will always find some other way
While the local pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay pay pay
The local pay 'em, pay'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay 'em, pay pay pay
Island swing that's the island sting
They may know what's good for you
Ba ba ba baa....
Ba ba ba baa....
By sending in the tourists you saved yourself a war
The sharks got rich while the locals stay poor
You can trade with sharks, they're of your own kind
At the head of every country it's a bitch that you'll find
Island swing, that's the island sting
They may know what's good for you
| Song: | Island Swing |
| Released: | 9th March 1988 |
| Main Associated Album (or Single): | What For |
| First Heard Live: | Manchester Hacienda – 24th November 1983 |
- What For :Studio, Single, 1988
- Justhipper (Compilation) :Compilation, Album, 2017
- Manchester Capri Rooms – 1st December 1986
- Frankfurt Batschkapp – 20th November 1986
- Birmingham Burberries – 4th November 1986
- Burnley Mechanics Club – 27th October 1986
- Salford University – 24th October 1986
- London ICA – 11th October 1986
- London ICA – 10th October 1986
- London ICA – 9th October 1986
- Bristol Ashton Court Festival – 3rd August 1985
- Edinburgh Hoochie Coochie – 26th May 1985
- London Royal Albert Hall – 6th April 1985
- Bradford St George’s Hall – 28th March 1985
- Middlesbrough Town Hall – 23rd March 1985
- London ICA – 19th March 1985
- Blackpool Gaiety Bar – 29th August 1984
- Leeds Fforde Grene – 14th August 1984
- Manchester Hacienda – 24th November 1983
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