Boombastic by Shaggy Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Romantic Riddim
Lyrics
What you want is some boombastic romantic
Fantastic lover, Shaggy
Mr. Lover Lover, Mmm, Mr. Lover lover, heh girl
Mr. Lover lover, Mmm, Mr. Lover lover
She call me Mr. Boombastic
Say me fantastic touch me on the back
She says I’m Mr. Ro
Mantic, say me fantastic
Touch me on the back, she says I’m Mr. Ro
Smooth, just like the silk
Soft and cuddly hug me up like a quilt
I’m a lyrical lover
No take me for no filth
With my sexual physique, jah know me well-built
Oh me oh my, well well
Can’t you tell
I’m just like a turtle crawling out of me shell
Gal you captivate my body put me under a spell
With your Khus Khus perfume
I love your sweet smell
You are the only young girl who can ring my bell
And I could take rejection, so you tell me go to hell
I’m Boombastic
Tell me fantastic, touch me on the back
She says I’m Mr. Ro-
Mantic, and me fantastic
She touch me on the back, she says I’m Mr. Boom, boom, boom
-Bastic
Say me fantastic, touch me on the back
She says I’m Mr. Ro-
Mantic, tell me fantastic
She touch me on the back, she says I’m Mr. Boom, boom
Gee wheeze, baby please
Let me take you to an island of
The sweet cool breeze
You don’t feel like drive well baby hand me the keys
And I will take you to a place to set your mind at ease
Don’t you tickle my foot bottom ha ha, baby please
Don’t you play with my nose ’cause I might ha-choo sneeze
(Bless you)
Well, you are the bun and me a cheese
And if me a the rice well maybe you are the peas
I’m Boombastic
Tell me fantastic, touch me on me back
She says I’m Mr. Ro-
Mantic, and me fantastic
She touch me on the back, she says I’m Mr. Boom, boom, boom
-Bastic
Tell me fantastic, touch me on the back
She says I’m Mr. Ro-
Mantic, tell me fantastic
She touch me on the back, she says I’m Mr. Boom, boom
I say
Give me your loving, gal your loving well good
I want your loving
Gal you need like you should
Uh give me your loving, girk your loving well good
I want your loving
Gal remember the word
Would you like to kiss and caress
Rub down every strand of hair on my chest
I’m boombastic
Rated as the best, the best you should get
Nothing more, nothing less
Give me your digits, jot down your address
I’ll bet you confess when you put me to the test
That I’m
Boombastic
Tell me fantastic, touch me on me back
She says I’m Mr. Ro-
Mantic, tell me fantastic
She touch me on the back, she says I’m Mr. Boom
-Bastic
Tell me fantastic, touch me on the back
She says I’m Mr. Ro-
Mantic, tell me fantastic
She touch me on the back, she says I’m Mr. Boombastic
Gal, your admiration it’s a-licked me from the start
With some physical attraction, gal, you know
To feel the spark
I want a few words, not gah tell you no sweet talk
Nogha lover, lover, lover
Nogha chat pure for
I’ll get straight to the point
Like an arrow arrow dart
Come lay down in my jacuzzi and get some bubble bath
Only sound you will hear is the beating of my heart
And we will hm hm, and have some sweet pillow talk
I’m Boombastic
Tell me fantastic, touch me on me back
She says I’m Mr. Ro-
Mantic, and me fantastic
She touch me on the back, she says I’m Mr. Boom, boom, boom
-Bastic
Tell me fantastic, touch me on the back
She says I’m Mr. Ro-
Mantic, tell me fantastic
She touch me on the back, she says I’m Mr. Boom, what you say girl?
Smooth
In the swirling mists of the mid-’90s reggae fusion scene, one song stood out with its pulsating beat, infectious chorus, and a lyrical lover’s proclamation — ‘Boombastic’ by Shaggy. On the surface, the track might strike as an anthem of self-praise from a protagonist bathed in confidence; Shaggy’s booming voice is, in itself, a reflection of the song’s title. However, to leave the analysis at that would be to ignore the layers woven into the patois-laden tapestry.
Dive deep into the lyrics of ‘Boombastic,’ and you’ll find a text ripe with metaphor, clever wordplay, and a cultural context that bridges Jamaican dancehall and the broader international music scene. This song is more than its catchy hook; it’s a statement piece on masculinity, seduction, and the art of romance in the club-centric world of the 1990s.
A Love Letter to Dancehall Euphoria
Shaggy’s ‘Boombastic’ is an unwavering love letter to the high-energy, body-moving euphoria of Jamaican dancehall. The rhythm itself is an undeniable invitation to the dance floor, merging traditional reggae beats with the emergent patterns of the digital age. It’s a track that bridges generations, pulling older reggae aficionados into the realm of the young and vibrant.
Listening to ‘Boombastic,’ one can’t help but feel the pull of a culture that praises fluidity, a seamless blend of music and motion that encapsulates the very essence of dancehall. Shaggy’s delivery of every patois-heavy line is an embodiment of this cultural celebration, immersing listeners in an experience that transcends mere sonic enjoyment.
Deciphering the Swagger: Boombastic’s Braggadocio
The inflated self-assurance of Shaggy’s lyrical alter-ego, Mr. Boombastic, is the kind of braggadocio that dancehall culture revels in. Within this bravado lies an intricate play on the traditional masculine archetype. Shaggy crafts a character who is as aware of his physical appeal as he is confident in his romantic talents.
Yet, there’s a self-awareness to the lyrics, a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment that the inflated ego on display is as much a performance as it is a portrayal of genuine confidence. This clever dichotomy serves not only as entertainment but also as a nuanced reflection on how men often present themselves in the pursuit of love and desire.
Unraveling the Overt and the Covert
Beneath the pulsating beats and the smooth delivery lies a layer of Shaggy’s ‘Boombastic’ that demands a closer listen. The song’s overt themes of romance and seduction are straightforward, but the covert message touches upon the ways in which language and culture intertwine within music, using Jamaican patois not just as a means of communication but as an instrument.
The hidden meaning is found not just in what is said but in how it’s said. Shaggy’s play on words, like the naming of Mr. Boombastic and the subsequent use of ‘ro-‘, plays with the sounds of the language, engendering a linguistic richness and a form of verbal gymnastics that adds depth to the track’s seemingly straightforward serenade.
Rhymes to Remember: The Song’s Most Memorable Lines
‘Boombastic’ teems with catchy phrases, but lines like ‘Gal, your admiration it’s a-licked me from the start’ showcase Shaggy’s masterful use of evocative imagery and rhythm. This is where the singer-songwriter turns from mere performer into poet, painting his pursuit of romance with a blend of vulnerability and assertive charm.
Another such line, ‘I’m just like a turtle crawling out of my shell’, reveals an eagerness, a readiness to break free from introversion to bask in the sunshine of his lover’s affection. It’s these lines that etch themselves into the minds of listeners, not just for their cleverness but for their ability to encapsulate the human yearning for connection.
Beyond the Beat: ‘Boombastic’s’ Enduring Cultural Impact
More than a quarter-century after its release, ‘Boombastic’ lingers in the cultural zeitgeist, a testament to Shaggy’s ability to craft music with enduring appeal. It’s a song that has transcended its initial dancehall space, permeating movies, commercials, and countless playlists — a symbol of the genre’s universality.
The track also stands as a beacon of a moment in time when the fusion of reggae with other genres birthed something that could resonate globally. Shaggy managed to create a song that is not only remembered for its boombastic rhythm but acclaimed for its linguistic creativity and the celebratory essence of West Indian culture.
