I got a letter from a friend the other morning
He say it’s hot down in Montego Bay
I got the point and now I think it’s finally dawning
Yeah, yeah, I got to get away
I got to take myself a permanent vacation
The sky’s the limit but my plane won’t fly
My nose is clean and lordie don’t need no sedation
Yeah, yeah, and that’s the reason why
I really need it, really, really need St. Tropez
I want a tan where the sun, it never shines
I really need it, really, really need St. Tropez
You best believe it that I go to get away
I got a sister man she really got a pinhead
She think she kinky but she can’t get straight
She say she livin’ but I kinda think she’s brain dead
Just excess baggage on a late night freight
I really need it, really, really need St. Tropez
I want a tan where the sun, it never shines
I really need it, really, really need St. Tropez
You best believe it that I go to get away
I got to take me on a permanent vacation
The girl’s be cumming down in Cayman Brack
I got to hand it to a firm situation
Yeah, yeah, I got to cut me some slack
I really need it, really, really need St. Tropez
I want a tan where the sun, it never shines
I really need it, really, really need St. Tropez
You best believe it that I go to get away
Escaping the Everyday: The Meaning Behind “Permanent Vacation”
“Permanent Vacation” by Aerosmith is a spirited anthem about the universal desire to break free from life’s monotony. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of longing for a sun-soaked getaway, far removed from everyday responsibilities and the pressures of modern living. References to Montego Bay, St. Tropez, and Cayman Brac evoke a sense of tropical escapism, while playful lines about family and quirky characters add humor and relatability. The song captures the restless yearning for adventure, embracing the idea that sometimes the only remedy is to simply get away, recharge, and find freedom under a brighter sky.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Jim Vallance
Release Year: 1987
Label: Geffen Records