Island Girl Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I see your teeth flash, Jamaican honey, so sweet
Down where Lexington cross 47th Street
Oh, she's a big girl, she's standin' six-foot-three
Turnin' tricks for the dudes in the big city
[Chorus]
Island girl
What you wantin' with your white man's world?
Island girl
Black boy want you in his island world
He want to take you from your racket boss
He want to save you, but the cause is lost
Island girl, island girl, island girl
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man's world
[Verse 2]
Well, she's black as coal, but she burn like a fire
And she wrap herself around you like a well-worn tire
You feel her nail scratch your back just like a rake
Oh, he one more gone, he one more john who make the mistake
[Chorus]
Island girl
What you wantin' with your white man's world?
Island girl
Black boy want you in his island world
He want to take you from your racket boss
He want to save you, but the cause is lost
Island girl, island girl, island girl
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man's world
I see your teeth flash, Jamaican honey, so sweet
Down where Lexington cross 47th Street
Oh, she's a big girl, she's standin' six-foot-three
Turnin' tricks for the dudes in the big city
[Chorus]
Island girl
What you wantin' with your white man's world?
Island girl
Black boy want you in his island world
He want to take you from your racket boss
He want to save you, but the cause is lost
Island girl, island girl, island girl
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man's world
[Verse 2]
Well, she's black as coal, but she burn like a fire
And she wrap herself around you like a well-worn tire
You feel her nail scratch your back just like a rake
Oh, he one more gone, he one more john who make the mistake
[Chorus]
Island girl
What you wantin' with your white man's world?
Island girl
Black boy want you in his island world
He want to take you from your racket boss
He want to save you, but the cause is lost
Island girl, island girl, island girl
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man's world
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
Island girl
What you wantin' with your white man's world?
Island girl
Black boy want you in his island world
He want to take you from your racket boss
He want to save you, but the cause is lost
Island girl, island girl, island girl
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man
[Chorus]
Island girl
What you wantin' with your white man's world?
Island girl
Black boy want you in his island world
He want to take you from your racket boss
He want to save you, but the cause is lost
Island girl, island girl, island girl
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man
Tell me what you wantin' with your white man
About
Genius Annotation
“Island Girl” was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was produced by Gus Dudgeon.
The song is about a New York prostitute and a man who wants to take a prostitute back to the city.
At the time of the song’s release, Elton hadn’t come out publicly, but the following year, he revealed in “Rolling Stone” that he was bisexual.
“Island Girl” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in November of 1975. It also peaked at #14 on the U.K. Singles chart and #4 on the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada.
It was certified Gold in the United States and Canada.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 7.Your Song
- 9.Border Song
- 10.Sixty Years On
- 11.Country Comfort
- 13.Friends
- 14.Levon
- 15.Tiny Dancer
- 17.Honky Cat
- 20.Daniel
- 21.Crocodile Rock
- 28.Jack Rabbit
- 29.Harmony
- 33.Pinball Wizard
- 39.Island Girl
- 43.Ego
- 44.Song for Guy
- 46.Cartier
- 47.Little Jeannie
- 49.Fanfare / Chloe
- 50.The Retreat
- 51.Blue Eyes
- 56.Act of War
- 57.Nikita
- 63.Sacrifice
- 64.Made for Me
Credits
Tags
Comments
Sign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓
Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.
