Maxi Priest’s reggae reinterpretation of Cat Stevens' 1970 hit “Wild World” is likely based on Jimmy Cliff’s UK top 10 version. This recording was also successful, reaching the top 20 in several countries overseas and peaking at #25 in the US.
[Intro]
Don't go...
Don't go
Please stay...
[Verse 1]
Now that I've lost everything to you
You say you wanna start something new
And it's breakin' my heart you're leavin'
Baby, I'm greavin'
But if you wanna leave, take good care
I hope you have a lot of nice things to wear
But then a lot of nice things turn bad out there
[Chorus]
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile, girl
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
I'll always remember you, like a child, girl
[Verse 2]
You know I've seen a lot of what the world can do
And it's breaking my heart in two
Because I never wanna see you a sad girl
Don't be a bad girl
But if you wanna leave, take good care
Hope you make a lot of nice friends out there
But just remember there's a lot of bad everywhere
[Chorus]
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile, girl
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
I'll always remember you, like a child, girl
[Interlude]
[Verse 3]
You know, I've seen a lot of what the world can do
And it's breaking my heart in two
'Cause I never wanna see you a sad girl
Don't be a bad girl
But if you wanna leave, take good care
I hope you have a lot of nice things to wear
But then lot of things turn bad out there
[Chorus]
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile, girl
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
I'll always remember you, like a child, girl
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile, girl
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world
I'll always remember you, like a child, girl
Wild World was written by Cat Stevens.
Wild World was produced by Robbie Shakespeare & Sly Dunbar & Willie Lindo.
Maxi Priest released Wild World on Fri Dec 11 1987.