Focus on... Vacation (the song)

Vacation went though a lot of changes from a Textones' song to one of the Go-Go's greatest hits.

Part 1 : Textones (1979)

Written by Kathy. It was released as a single in UK in 1982, after the Go-Go's final version made it big.

Lyrics :

I thought a lot of things about you

I stayed away just thinkin’ ‘bout you

But now I’m away

You had to stay

Tomorrow’s a day of mine that you won’t be in

I tried to say I was just having fun

But I really knew that you were the one

And now that I’m gone

I see I was wrong

I should have known all along that time would tell

A week without you

I should forget

Two weeks without you

And I’m still thinking ‘bout the things that you said

Vacation

Just another loving

Vacation

I won't be lonely

Vacation

Would you think of me ?

I think I'll leave without saying good-bye

I think that you know the reason why

That if I was to stay

You’d picture out  some other way

I’ll never know anyway

Part 2 : Go-Go's first version (1981)

Charlotte and Kathy's reworked version for the Go-Go's. And my personal favourite. Few changes have made in the lyrics.

Lyrics :

I thought a lot of things about you

I stayed away just thinkin’ ‘bout you

But now I’m away

You had to stay

Tomorrow’s a day of mine that you won’t be in

I tried to say it was just for fun

But I really knew you were the one

And now that I’m gone

I see I was wrong

I should have known all along that time would tell

A week without you

I should forget

Two weeks without you

And I’m still thinking ‘bout the things that you said

Vacation

All I ever wanted

Vacation

Had to get away

Vacation

Meant to be spent alone

I think I'll leave without saying good-bye

I think you know the reason why

That if I was to stay

You’d picture out  some other way

I’ll never know anyway

Part 3 : Go-Go's final version

Jane added her contribution to some lines of the song. Its structure is now quite different as well as the lyrics, and the song leans more towards synth-pop than rock.

Lyrics :

Can't seem to get my mind off of you
Back here at home there's nothing to do
Now that I'm away
I wish I'd stayed
Tomorrow's a day of mine
that you won't be in

When you looked at me I should have run
But I thought it was just for fun
I see I was wrong
And I'm not so strong
I should have known all along
that time would tell

A week without you
Thought I'd forget
Two weeks without you and I
Still haven't gotten over you yet

Vacation
All I ever wanted
Vacation
Had to get away
Vacation
Meant to be spent alone

A week without you
Thought I'd forget
Two weeks without you and I
Still haven't gotten over you yet

 Which one do you like best ?