Ken Boothe's (born 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica) is known as "Mr Rocksteady" for his prominence during the musical period 1966-1974 and was a major idol for the to-be members of UB40. Boothe started by recording a version of Sandie Shaw's "Puppet on a String" in 1967. Later the same year, Boothe and Alton Ellis had a successful U.K. tour with the group The Soul Vendors. Under new direction from record producer Lloyd Chalmers, the song "Everything I Own" surprisingly was Number One in the UK in 1974. Read Full BioKen Boothe's (born 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica) is known as "Mr Rocksteady" for his prominence during the musical period 1966-1974 and was a major idol for the to-be members of UB40. Boothe started by recording a version of Sandie Shaw's "Puppet on a String" in 1967. Later the same year, Boothe and Alton Ellis had a successful U.K. tour with the group The Soul Vendors. Under new direction from record producer Lloyd Chalmers, the song "Everything I Own" surprisingly was Number One in the UK in 1974. The song, written by David Gates, was given a sympathetic light reggae feel and found instant favour in the West Indies and in the U.K.
Boothe seemed, at the time, to have the makings of an international, long-lasting, hit maker, certainly when compared to most of the other latter-day reggae acts. His smoother style gave him a wider appeal, rather like UB40 and Aswad. Boothe's choice of songs also showed the breadth of his musical taste. But for all that, he only managed one more hit in the UK Chart, "Crying over You", which made Number 11.
In more recent times, Boothe has also recorded for Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, King Jammy, Pete Weston, Jack Ruby, Hugh "Red Man" James, Castro Brown, and Tappa Zukie. Plus in 1995, he teamed up with Shaggy, for a new styled version of his old track, "The Train Is Coming", which appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Money Train.
A double-disc overview of Boothe's Trojan years, Crying over You, was released by the label in 2001.
Boothe's official Web site is at www.kenboothemusic.com
Boothe seemed, at the time, to have the makings of an international, long-lasting, hit maker, certainly when compared to most of the other latter-day reggae acts. His smoother style gave him a wider appeal, rather like UB40 and Aswad. Boothe's choice of songs also showed the breadth of his musical taste. But for all that, he only managed one more hit in the UK Chart, "Crying over You", which made Number 11.
In more recent times, Boothe has also recorded for Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, King Jammy, Pete Weston, Jack Ruby, Hugh "Red Man" James, Castro Brown, and Tappa Zukie. Plus in 1995, he teamed up with Shaggy, for a new styled version of his old track, "The Train Is Coming", which appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Money Train.
A double-disc overview of Boothe's Trojan years, Crying over You, was released by the label in 2001.
Boothe's official Web site is at www.kenboothemusic.com
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Walk Away From Love
Ken Boothe Lyrics
It's not that I don't love you
You know how much I do, understand me, girl
And it's not that I've found someone
To take the place of you
It's just a fear that builds up in me
Every time you touch my hand, I don't understand it, baby
And a dread that shakes my body
That even I don't understand
So I'm leaving
It's time to play it smart
I'm gonna walk away from love
Before love breaks my heart
You know I love you, girl
Ooh, you're clinging to me tighter
Than you ever have before
I just can't understand it, baby
But I know it's gonna take everything I've got
To keep walking out the door
But those arms you got around me
Will let me go someday
But I'd rather leave you holding on
Than pushing me away
So I'm leaving
It's time to play it smart
I'm gonna walk away from love
Before love breaks my heart
Ooh baby
So I'm leaving, ooh girl
It's time to play it smart
I'm gonna walk away from love, ooh girl, yeah
And it's strength shakes my body
I'm gonna walk away from love, ooh girl
Love ain't treating me right, ooh yeah
Saying, I'm leaving you this time
I'm leaving you, baby, ooh girl
I won't be coming back, oh no no no no no
I'm leaving you this time
Leaving leaving leaving this time
Oh oh oh oh oh
La la la la
Cha cha cha cha
La la la la
Leaving you this time
Ooh girl
I'm leaving you this time
Contributed by Gianna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
The Infiltrator
One of the best vocalists in history, any genre, imo - 1st time I heard this, I'm like, 'The backing's kind of tame/by-the-book. But Ken's capable of bringing this to life if anyone is.' And then his first line has me shaking my head/in church/omg; right off the bat - the man's phenomenally gifted!
porc garden
I must add there is like a few more versions done by others and this is the original 1st release believe me there is a orginal cut mr booth did aswell 🤤
Carl Brown
The Infiltrator.. Please listen again and just concentrate on the Bass for a while, Please(:-) ...He's Killing it! Riding the Riddim all the way. Great tune all round. Nuff love. P.S. Just noticed it's a while since you posted this. Hope you're well.
Goodas Fi Dem
Awesome..Class...Just pure MAGIC...LOVE IT !!
Stonyhill PO
The best! The one and only, the incomparable Ken Boothe!...One of Jamaica's finest singers!❤️
Carilann Barry
Love this tune.haven't listened to it in a long time.its on repeat today.one love people happy Friday feelings x
Andrew Firth
20 years + and Ken booth still does it entirely right !!!! A beautiful tune <3 <3 <3 Beautiful
MikeWildfrog
Timeless, soulfully sung by an excellent artist
MrLevelvibes
Class song , Class Vocal Just Pure Class
Steve Harwood
gives me the chills , great song best version of this great track.