Inspiration Behind Kokomo:
The name Kokomo came from John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas who used this place in previous song lyrics. Lead vocalist Mike Lowe describes Kokomo as a mysterious island somewhere in the Caribbean, near the Florida Keys. Kokomo was commissioned for the Cocktail soundtrack, starring Tom Cruise and Elisabeth Shue. While Kokomo began as a demo by Phillips and Scott McKenzie, Love’s chorus transformed the tone from melancholic to an inviting song.
Biblical Application:
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord, Acts 11:19-21.
Exegesis of Kokomo:
[Intro: Mike Love]
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take ya
Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go?
Jamaica
A man wants to take his girlfriend, wife or significant other to a special place in the Caribbean.
[Verse 1: Mike Love]
Off the Florida Keys
There’s a place called Kokomo
That’s where you wanna go
To get away from it all
Bodies in the sand
Tropical drink melting in your hand
We’ll be falling in love
To the rhythm of a steel drum band
Down in Kokomo
As this man talks to this woman, he is explaining where they will be going. Let’s go to the beach, relax and forget about all the pressure and stress in life. This man paints the picture of an ideal vacation getaway to set a romantic mood.
[Chorus: All, Carl Wilson]
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, Ooh, baby why don’t we go?
I wanna take you down to Kokomo
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we wanna go
Way down in Kokomo
This man is selling this trip, going a little overboard. Mentioning as many scenic tropical destinations as possible.
[Post-Chorus]
Martinique, that Montserrat mystique
Another selling point.
[Verse 2: Mike Love]
We’ll put out to sea
And we’ll perfect our chemistry
By and by, we’ll defy
A little bit of gravity
Afternoon delight
Cocktails and moonlit nights
That dreamy look in your eye
Give me a tropical contact high
Way down in Kokomo
This man is working hard, as if he wants to propose at some point during this trip. Setting the scene of all that Kokomo has to offer.
[Chorus: All, Carl Wilson]
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, Ooh baby, why don’t we go?
Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we wanna go
Way down in Kokomo
This chorus suggests that this is a spur of the moment, spontaneous trip, eager to get there as fast as possible before slowing down to enjoy all that this resort has to offer.
[Post-Chorus]
Port au Prince, I want to catch a glimpse
Look at what we can experience together.
[Verse 3: Mike Love]
Everybody knows
A little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go
To get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo
Kokomo is the ideal setting if you want to get away.
[Outro: All, Carl Wilson]
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go?
Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
That’s where we wanna go
Way down in Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama, come on, pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go?
I wanna take you down to Kokomo…
The final selling point for Kokomo. This is what you’re missing if you don’t go with me.
Final Thoughts:
I was living in Columbus, Indiana when Kokomo became a summer classic, on the hourly radio rotation. About an hour north of Columbus is Kokomo Indiana. Visitors would inquire, is this the legendary city from the Beachboys song? While this is a wealthy town, it’s far from the Caribbean. As someone who has gone snorkeling in the Caribbean, it is an amazing place to relax, swim and have fun in the sun.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 