Giamaica

"Giamaica" (also known as "Jamaica") is a song written by T. A. Valli. In late 1950s and 1960s it was recorded by a number of Italian artists: Luciano Virgili,^[1] Giorgio Consolini,^[2] 13-year-old Robertino Loretti.^[3][4][5][6]

"Jamaica / Pappagallo"
Single by Robertino
A-side	"Jamaica" "Pappagallo"
Written	T. A. Valli
Released	1961 (1961)
Label	Triola

Composition

Robertino Loretti characterizes the song as "bright and fresh".^[7]

The lyrics go like this:

Jamaica! Jamaica! When it seemed like I was burning under your magnificent scorching sun, I could quench my thirst from a spring. But how can I rinse the heat of my heart that burns of passion?^[8]

Popularity in the Soviet Union

In the USSR Robertino Loretti's version of the song became immensely popular when around 1962 his record containing it was released in the country.^[9] Together with his rendition of "Santa Lucia", "Giamaica" could be heard from every window.^[10][11][12] The song was since translated into Russian.

Other covers

In 1961 the song was covered by Danish singer Birthe Wilke. Her version was released as a single, with "Pepito" on the other side.^[13][14]

Track listings

Luciano Virgili "Giamaica" (single)

7-inch (45 RPM) single La Voce Del Padrone 7MQ 1498 (1958, Italy)

A. "Giamaica"

(T. A. Valli)

B. "Ti desidero"

(Guarino, Pluto)^[1]

Giorgio Consolini "Giamaica" (single)

7-inch (45 RPM) single Parlophon QMSP 16269 (1959, Italy)

A. "Giamaica"

(Valli)

AA. "Rimpiangimi"

(Testoni, Piubeni)^[2]

Robertino "Jamaica / Pappagallo" (single)

7-inch (45 RPM) single (1959, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, etc.)

A. "Jamaica"

Robertino with the Otto Franckers Orchestra

AA. "Pappagallo"

Robertino with the Otto Franckers Orchestra^[3]

Robertino "Jamaica" (EP)

7-inch EP (45 RPM) Triola TEP 31 (1961, Sweden, Switzerland, etc.)

A1. "Jamaica"

A2. "Pappagallo"

B1. "'Anema e core"

B2. "Papaveri e papere"^[5]

Birthe Wilke "Pepito / Jamaica" (single)

7-inch (45 RPM) single Philips 355 247 PF (1961, Denmark)

A. "Pepito"

B. "Jamaica"^[14]