Brown's first recording was "Lips of Wine" recorded for Derrick Harriott (The Musical Chariot), but this was not released initially. He then recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, and Dodd released Brown's first single, "No Man is an Island". Brown recorded two albums for Dodd, No Man is an Island and If I Follow my Heart (the title track penned by Alton Ellis). Around this time, Brown recorded material for Lloyd Daley ("Baby Don't Do It" and "Things in Life") and material for Derrick Hariott, which was eventually released as the Super Reggae and Soul Hits album. He also worked for Earl Hayles and the Charmaine label early in his career. He had a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom in 1977. This led to his contract with A&M Records, and to the formation of his own label, DEB records, which produced several hits, including many by Junior Delgado.
His first big hit was "Money In My Pocket" on the Joe Gibbs label, and by the late 1970s, Brown had recorded and performed chart-toppers such as "Sitting & Watching", "Wolves and Leopards", "Here I Come" and "Revolution"; many featuring Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section. As the dancehall era of the 1980s arrived, Brown frequently recorded with King Jammy and Gussie Clark. His song "Revolution" is featured on the reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. According to some sources, Brown became addicted to crack cocaine, which affected his career and may have lead to his premature death. Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and opposition leader Edward Seaga of the Jamaica Labour Party both spoke at Brown's funeral, which was held on July 17, 1999 in Kingston, Jamaica. The service, which lasted for three hours, also featured live performances by Maxi Priest, Shaggy, and five of Brown's sons. Brown was then buried at Kingston's National Heroes Park.
Money In My Pocket
Dennis Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love
I'm praying for
A girl to be my own
Soon you said she coming but I don't believe a word she say
'Cause she run away and left me one rainy day
She made me had in mind
That her love would never die
And now I'm alone, yeh, so alone
So alone, yeah, yeah
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love, oh no
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love
The love I had in mind
Was very, very hard to find, oh
It's hard for a man to live without a woman
And a woman needs a man to cling to
You'll see what love can do
After making me feel blue
Ain't that a shame, yeah, whoa baby
Ain't that a shame, yeah
To make me feel blue, whoa yeah
I've got money in my pocket
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love, oh no
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love
The love I had in mind
Was very, very hard to find, oh
It's hard for a man to live without a woman
And a woman needs a man to cling to
You'll see what love can do
After making me feel blue
Ain't that a shame, yeah, whoa baby
Ain't that a shame, yeah
To make me feel blue, whoa yeah
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love, oh no
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love
The love I had in mind
Was very, very hard to find, eh
Ain't that a shame
Ain't that a shame
The song "Money in My Pocket" by Dennis Brown is a classic example of a lover's lament. Dennis sings about his financial success, but also how he's not able to find love despite having money. The song captures the mood of someone who has all they want, but still feels unfulfilled. It's a common theme that resonates across cultures and generations.
The song has an interesting structure, with the title forming the chorus, which is sung several times throughout the song. The verses contain details about the singer's life, his past relationships, and the challenges he faces.
In the first verse, Dennis describes how he wants a girl to be his own. He has money in his pocket but can't get any love. He's praying for someone to come into his life and make him feel loved. In the second verse, he talks about a girl who left him on a rainy day despite promising that her love would never die. She made him feel very alone, and this has affected his ability to find love. In the bridge, he acknowledges that it's hard for a man to live without a woman and vice versa. He also talks about love making him feel blue after a breakup.
The song's message is simple and universal: Love is more important than money. Money may provide material comfort, but it can't buy happiness or love. The song is a reminder that no matter how successful one becomes, the need for love and companionship is still a crucial part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love
I have enough money, but I am still lacking true love.
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love
I have enough money, but I am still lacking true love.
I'm praying for
A girl to be my own
I am hoping to find a girl who would be mine.
Soon you said she coming but I don't believe a word she say
You promised me that she is coming, but I doubt what you promised.
'Cause she run away and left me one rainy day
She left me suddenly on a rainy day.
She made me had in mind
That her love would never die
She made me think that she would love me forever.
And now I'm alone, yeh, so alone
So alone, yeah, yeah
Now I am alone without her, feeling lonely.
The love I had in mind
Was very, very hard to find, oh
The kind of love I am seeking is not easy to find.
It's hard for a man to live without a woman
And a woman needs a man to cling to
You'll see what love can do
After making me feel blue
It is challenging for a man to live without a woman, and a woman needs a man to depend on. Love has the power to satisfy and also make me feel sad.
Ain't that a shame, yeah, whoa baby
Ain't that a shame, yeah
To make me feel blue, whoa yeah
Isn't it unfortunate that I feel sad because of the lack of love in my life?
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love, oh no
Money in my pocket but I just can't get no love
I have enough money, but I am still lacking true love.
Ain't that a shame
Ain't that a shame
Isn't it unfortunate?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DENNIS BROWN, JOEL GIBSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind