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Tier 3 · vertical & regional
The Paragons
Group · Jamaica · formed 1960
Jamaican ska and rocksteady group
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Also known as The Fabulous Paragons · Tyrone Evans & The Paragons · パラゴンズ
Timeline
12 events▣ Album 9◆ Formed 1+ Member joins 1★ Debut release 1
1960s
· Member joins
John Holt joins the band
source: musicbrainz
· Debut release
Debut release: On the Beach
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
Biography
English biography356 words · 3 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1348266250
Biography
The Paragons were a ska and rocksteady vocal group from Kingston, Jamaica, initially active in the 1960s. Their most famous track was "The Tide Is High", written by band member John Holt.
Career
The Paragons were originally Garth "Tyrone" Evans, songwriter Bob Andy, Junior Menz, and Leroy Stamp. In 1964 Stamp was replaced by singer and songwriter John Holt, and Howard Barrett replaced Menz.
The early Paragons' sound used the vocal harmonies of Jamaican groups of the early 1960s. Beginning in 1964, they recorded on the Treasure Isle record label with record producer Duke Reid, songs such as "Memories by the Score", "On the Beach
On the BeachSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1On the Beach2:38A2Island in the Sun3:13A3When the Lights Are Low3:08A4The Tide Is High2:46A5So Much Pain2:44B1Only a Smile2:59B2I Want to Go Back2:57B3Happy Go Lucky Girl3:18B4Yellow Bird3:33B5Wear You to the Ball2:38", "Only a Smile" and "Wear You to the Ball", which were later covered by UB40, Horace Andy, Dennis Brown, Massive Attack, and others. Other recordings included "Man Next Door" aka "Quiet Place
Quiet PlaceSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAQuiet PlaceBNoisy Place"/"I've Got to Get Away" (1968) and "Happy Go Lucky Girl".
The Paragons' recordings, including the widely covered "The Tide Is High" from 1967, written by Holt, and featuring the violin of "White Rum" Raymond, are among the highlights of Jamaican popular music. "The Tide Is High" was taken to the top of the UK and US charts by Blondie in 1980; while Atomic Kitten's cover version also topped the UK Singles Chart in 2002.
Holt left to pursue a successful solo career in 1970. Following Holt's departure, the group recorded briefly with female vocalist Roslyn Sweat as Roslyn Sweat & The Paragons and The Paragons (featuring Roslyn Sweat). Evans too, recording as Tyrone Evans and as Don Evans, enjoyed an albeit less notable solo career, making several recordings while with The Paragons and after the group disbanded.
The group reformed in the late 1970s and released further albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Evans died in 2000, and Holt in October 2014. Andy died in 2020.
Studio albums
On the Beach (1967)
With Roslyn Sweat (1974)
The Paragons (1981)
Now (1981)
Positive Movements (1982)
Heaven & Earth (1996)
The Paragons Sing the Beatles and Bob Dylan (1998)
The Legendary Paragons (2000)
Yellowman Meets the Paragons (2002)
The Paragons Return
Contributing artist
The Rough Guide to Reggae (1997, World Music Network)
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 11 | 61.8th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 21 | 87.5th |
| Studio albums | 11 | 91.9th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 12 | 88.9th |
| Recording span (years) | 52 | 92.5th |
| Genres | 3 | 80.4th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (21 release groups · 11 studio albums)
Albums · 11
1967 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 10 tracks · 29:54
A1On the Beach2:38A2Island in the Sun3:13A3When the Lights Are Low3:08A4The Tide Is High2:46A5So Much Pain2:44B1Only a Smile2:59B2I Want to Go Back2:57B3Happy Go Lucky Girl3:18B4Yellow Bird3:33B5Wear You to the Ball2:381977 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks
1Smile It's A New Day2Do Right My Brothers & Sisters3Let The Wicked Runaway4Talk To The People5Feel Allright6Left With A Broken Heart7Love Vibrations8Sparkle Of My Eyes9Never Will I Hurt You Girl10Why Can't I Have My Way11My Number One12Memories By The Score1981 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 36:04
1Happy Go Lucky Girl3:412I’ll Be Back3:553Man Next Door4:004Only a Smile3:425My Best Girl3:406The Tide Is High3:477Riding High3:298Wear You to the Ball3:029The Same Song3:3310On the Beach3:151982 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks
A1Come a Little CloserA2That All I WantA3The Meddling CrowdA4I Need HerA5A Place Called ZionB1Heaven and EarthB2The First Time I Saw YouB3Positive MovementsB4Life SpoilersB5Dirty Streets1982 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks
A1Positive MovementsA2The Maddening CrowdA3Life SpoilersA4Dirty StreetA5First TimeB1I Need HerB2All I WantB3Come A Little CloserB4A Place Called ZionB5Heaven On Earth1996 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 10 tracks · 35:36
1Come a Little Closer3:372That's All I Want3:553The Modelling Crowd3:274I Need Her3:345A Place Called Zion3:376Heaven and Earth3:317The First Time I Saw You3:298Positive Movements3:299Life Spoilers3:3510Dirty Streets3:22The Paragons Sing The Beatles And Bob Dylan
1998 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 14 tracks · 54:24
1Because1:222I'll Be Back3:023I Shall Be Released4:354Don't Let Me Down4:145Blowing In The Wind5:206Knockin' On Heaven's Door4:267Michelle4:188If I Fell2:419If Not For You3:1910Lay Lady Lay4:0411Like A Rollin' Stone5:0712And I Love Her3:3213You Won't See Me5:0114Come Together3:23On the Beach With the Paragons
2006 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 40:51
1On the Beach2:332Island in the Sun3:093When the Lights Are Low3:054The Tide Is High2:435So Much Pain2:426Only a Smile2:597I Wanna Go Back2:558Happy Go Lucky Girl3:159Yellow Bird3:3010Wear You to the Ball2:3611Mercy Mercy2:5812Riding High on a Windy Day3:0613My Best Girl2:3314Silver Bird2:47On The Beach with The Paragons
2015 · studio album
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Tracklist · 53 tracks · 2:38:17
Disc 11On the Beach2:372Island in the Sun3:093When the Lights Are Low3:054The Tide Is High2:425Love Brings Pain2:396Only a Smile2:567I’ll Be Back2:528Happy Go Lucky Girl3:149Yellow Bird3:3110Wear You to the Ball2:3811Talking Love3:1112We Were Meant to Be1:5313Mercy Mercy Mercy3:0114The Same Song2:5515You Mean the World to Me2:4416Riding on a High and Windy Day3:0617A Silver Bird2:4618My Best Girl2:3119(I’m a) Worried Man3:1320The Land of Sun and Sea3:0121Memories by the Score2:3822The Number One for Me2:1223Left With a Broken Heart2:5924I’ve Got to Get Away1:5925Equality and Justice2:1326You Mean So Much to Me1:5627Maybe Someday1:5428I Want to Be With You3:0029On the Beach (medley)3:22Disc 21Blackbird Singing2:342Always3:003Mother Nature2:314The World Is a Ghetto3:545Unforgettable You2:376Dance With Me3:097Do the Best Thing3:108Smile It’s a New Day (aka Pack Up Your Troubles)3:139Do Right My Brothers and Sisters (aka Change Your Ways)2:5810Talk to the People2:4611Feel Alright3:4012Why Can’t I Have My Way3:1313Love Vibration2:4214Never Will I Hurt You3:3215Come a Little Closer (aka I Desire You)3:3416That’s All I Want3:5217Maddening Crowd (aka Modelling Crowd)3:2418I Need Her (aka Be My Best Friend)3:3219(I Know a) Place Called Zion3:3620Heaven and Earth3:3021Positive Movements (aka Issraelite Movements)3:2622The First Time I Saw You3:2823Life Spoilers (aka Hold Your Horses)3:3324Dirty Streets (aka You Will Regret)3:26— · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 32:41
A1Blackbirds Singing2:33A2The World is a Ghetto3:50A3Riding High on a Windy Day2:48A4Unforgettable You2:35A5Silver Bird2:26A6The Same Song2:48B1I Wanna Be With You2:50B2Mother Nature2:26B3Mercy Mercy Mercy2:47B4Always2:25B5My Best Girl2:25B6I Am a Worried Man2:48— · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 16 tracks · 46:41
1The Tide Is High2:422On the Beach2:333Only a Smile2:584Happy Go Lucky Girl3:145The Same Song2:496My Best Girl2:487So Much Pain2:408When the Lights Are Low3:089Wear You to the Ball2:3610Silver Bird2:4311Yellow Bird3:3012I Want to Go2:5313Island in the Sun3:0814Land of the Sea and Sun3:0115I Wanna Be With You2:5516Riding High on a Windy Day3:03
Single · 1
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Paragons with Roslyn SweatSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracksA1Blackbird Singing A2The World Is a Ghetto A3Riding High on a Windy Day A4Unforgettable You A5Silver Bird A6The Same Song B1I Wanna Be With You B2Mother Nature B3Mercy Mercy Mercy B4Always B5My Best Girl B6I'm a Worried Man | 1974 |
Album · 6
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Golden Hits (The Great Treasure Isle Collection Vol. 2)Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 16 tracks · 46:411The Tide Is High2:42 2On The Beach2:33 3Only A Smile2:58 4Happy-Go-Lucky Girl3:14 5The Same Song2:49 6My Best Girl2:48 7So Much Pain2:40 8When The Lights Are Low3:08 9Wear You To The Ball2:36 10Silver Bird2:43 11Yellow Bird3:30 12I Want To Go2:53 13Island In The Sun3:08 14Land Of Sea And Sun3:01 15I Wanna Be With You2:55 16Riding High On A Windy Day3:03 | Compilation | 1992 | |
| 1992 | My Best Girl Wears My CrownSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 17 tracks · 48:251Happy Go Lucky Girl3:08 2I Want to Go Back2:57 3When the Lights Are Low3:09 4On the Beach2:33 5Island in the Sun3:12 6Riding on a High and Windy Day2:53 7Silver Bird2:31 8The Same Song2:50 9The Tide Is High2:42 10I Wanna Be With You3:01 11Mercy Mercy Mercy2:54 12Wear You to the Ball2:30 13I'm a Worried Man2:45 14My Best Girl2:30 15You Mean the World to Me2:41 16Only a Smile2:53 17Paragons Medley3:16 | Compilation | 1992 | |
| 1994 | Riding HighSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 16 tracks · 43:261Mercy, Mercy, Mercy2:44 2I'm a Worried Man3:05 3All My Life2:00 4You Mean the World to Me2:30 5Mother Nature2:23 6Always2:55 7Blackbirds Singing2:30 8The Word Is a Ghetto3:45 9Unforgettable You2:28 10Paragon's Medley3:15 11Maybe Someday1:55 12The Same Song2:43 13So Much Pain2:35 14I Wanna Be With You2:52 15Riding High on a Windy Day3:04 16Silver Bird2:42 | Compilation | 1994 | |
| 2000 | The Legendary ParagonsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks · 33:291It’s Like You’re Here With Me2:39 2I’m Coming Home2:22 3Closer To Me1:55 4I’m The One Who’s To Blame2:52 5Had A Talk3:36 6I Will Never Leave2:46 7Why3:02 8Just Out Of Reach2:52 9Don’t Break Your Promise3:30 10I Really Do3:07 11The Rocky Road3:09 12A Lonely Boy1:39 | Compilation | 5 June 2000 | |
| 2009 | Original Paragons at Treasure IsleSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 17 tracks · 49:371Everyday Is a Holiday2:35 2Wear You to the Ball2:40 3On the Beach2:37 4Only a Smile2:59 5I Want to Go2:55 6Happy Go Lucky Girl3:14 7Silver Bird2:48 8The Same Song2:50 9Riding High on a Windy Day3:07 10So Much Pain2:41 11The Tide Is High2:45 12Yellow Bird3:28 13I Wanna Be With You2:58 14My Best Girl2:35 15Land of Sea and Sub3:06 16When the Lights Are Low3:10 17Island in the Sun3:09 | Compilation | 16 January 2009 | |
| 2015 | The Paragons And The Paragons DubwiseSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 20 tracks · 1:15:171Happy Go Lucky Girl3:42 2I'll Be Back3:55 3Man Next Door4:00 4Only A Smile3:42 5My Best Girl3:40 6The Tide Is High3:47 7Riding On A High And Windy Day3:29 8Wear You To The Ball3:03 9The Same Song3:34 10On The Beach3:19 11Riding In Rhythm3:57 12I'll Be Versioned4:04 13My Best Rhythm4:05 14The Same Version4:18 15Only A Dub3:50 16The Version Is High4:43 17Wear Out The Dub3:16 18Happy Go Lucky Dub3:56 19On The Version3:37 20Man Next Dub3:20 | Compilation | 2015 |
Other · 3
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Island In The SunSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1On The Beach 2Only A Smile 3The Tide Is High 4Mercy Mercy Mercy 5Happy Go Lucky Girl 6The Same Song 7I Wanna Be With You 8Wear You Go To The Ball 9Memories By The Score 10Silver Bird 11Island In The Sun 12Left With A Broken Heart 13Maybe Someday 14Israelite Movement | Compilation | 2006 | |
| 2019 | Quiet PlaceSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracksAQuiet Place BNoisy Place | 2019 | ||
| — | The Original ParagonsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks · 27:43A1Blackbird Singing2:33 A2Riding High On A Windy Day3:04 A3Silver Bird2:44 A4All My Life2:01 A5The Same Song2:53 B1I Am A Worried Man3:13 B2You Mean The World To Me2:45 B3Land Of Sea And Sun3:03 B4Mercy, Mercy, Mercy3:00 B5My Best Girl2:27 | — |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put The Paragons head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 11 | 61.8th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 21 | 87.5th |
| Studio albums | 11 | 91.9th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 12 | 88.9th |
| Recording span (years) | 52 | 92.5th |
| Genres | 3 | 80.4th |
Awards & honours
Line-up
| Name | From | To | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Holt | 1964 | present | |
| Bob Andy | — | present | |
| Bob Andy | — | present | |
| Garth Evans | — | present | |
| Howard Barrett | — | present | |
| Junior Menz | — | present | |
| Tyrone Evans | — | present | |
| Vic Taylor | — | present |
Where this record comes from
aliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/be976b44-a297-425c-be6a-a648418b3161discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/be976b44-a297-425c-be6a-a648418b3161core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q927618genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q927618seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Paragonsbiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Paragons
Why this artist is in the database
- List of reggae musicians
- List of ska musicians
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: no portrait (not displayed: the licence credit is missing)
Wikidata: Q927618 · MusicBrainz: be976b44-a297-425c-be6a-a648418b3161
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