He started as a calypso singer under the name Lord Creator. With his move to Jamaica in the late 1950s, he recorded his first big hit, Evening News, in 1959 with Fitz Vaughan Bryan's big band. In 1962, he recorded Independent Jamaica, which became the official song marking Jamaica’s independence from the British Empire on August 6, 1962. That song was also the first record on Chris Blackwell’s newly founded Island Records label in the United Kingdom. (Island 001). In 1963, Don't Stay Out Late, produced by Vincent Chin, became a huge hit in Jamaica.
In 1964, he had a hit with Big Bamboo, produced by Coxsone Dodd with Tommy McCook on saxophone. After Little Princess in 1964, he recorded a calypso album, Jamaica Time, on Studio One. It included calypso classics like Jamaica Farewell and Yellowbird, as well as a cover of Bob Dylan's Blowing in the Wind.
His next album, Big Bamboo, was recorded at Dynamic Studios sometime after 1969, when the studio was established by Byron Lee. Carlton Lee, who is otherwise unknown, is listed as the producer.
Creator’s biggest hit was Kingston Town, recorded in 1970 for producer Clancy Eccles which is a reggae version of his 1964 ska tune King & Queen (Babylon). After that, Lord Creator virtually disappeared from the music scene.
In 1977, he recorded Life, a rerecording of his 1969 song, Such is Life, at The Black Ark for Lee "Scratch" Perry.
In 1989, the British group UB40 recorded Kingston Town. There is a story that after this, Eccles saw Creator, who had become homeless and destitute, on a Kingston street. When Eccles called out to him, Creator fled thinking Eccles had come to collect $30 he owed him. Eccles chased him down and told him UB40 had recorded Kingston Town and that Creator had earned substantial royalties. With the money he earned in royalties, Creator revitalized his life and career. He appeared in oldies shows in Jamaica, and toured Japan.
Kingston Town
Lord Creator Lyrics
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But the moonlight lingers on
There are wonders for everyone
The stars shine so bright,
But they're fading after dawn
There is magic in Kingston town
Oh Kingston town,
The place I long to be
If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see, the girls at play
Ooh, ooh, ooh
When I am king,
Surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah
Tonight I am king,
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston town
And when I am king,
Surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah
Tonight I am king,
Then my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston town
The song Kingston Town by Lord Creator is a tribute to the vibrant and magical city, Kingston. The opening verse describes the beauty of the night and the wonder that lies beneath it. The moonlight lingers on, and there are wonders for everyone, promising a mystical experience. The stars shine bright, but they fade after dawn. However, there is still magic in Kingston Town. This verse is a metaphor for the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures and the eternal allure of the supernatural.
The chorus of the song is an ode to the city of Kingston. The singer declares that it is the place where he longs to be. He goes to the extent of saying that if he had the whole world, he would give it away just to see the girls at play. This line is a metaphor for the seductive nature of the city and the desire it can create in people. The second time the chorus is sung, it precedes a verse that talks about a fantasy of being a king and having a queen in the city.
The last verse repeats the same lyrics as the second, but the tone is different. The singer declares himself the king and dreams of having a queen at dawn in Kingston Town. This verse is a symbol of the city's power to fulfill one's wishes and create memorable experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
The night seems to fade,
As night dwindles, giving way to dawn,
But the moonlight lingers on
Moonbeams remain despite the impending daylight,
There are wonders for everyone
Kingston town abounds in marvelous sights for everyone,
The stars shine so bright,
Stars burn brightly in the night sky,
But they're fading after dawn
These stars fade out as daylight comes,
There is magic in Kingston town
Kingston town possesses something magical,
Oh Kingston town,
Oh, how I yearn for Kingston town,
The place I long to be
A place where I long to be,
If I had the whole world
If I owned the entire world,
I would give it away
I would part with it willingly,
Just to see, the girls at play
Just to witness the girls frolicking,
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Expressing the anticipation of the amazing sight,
When I am king,
In my hypothetical domain,
Surely I would need a queen
I would require a queen's presence,
And a palace and everything, yeah
And all that comes with having a palace,
Tonight I am king,
For this moment, I am the ruler,
And my queen will come at dawn
My queen will arrive when the sun rises,
She'll be waiting in Kingston town
She'll be there, waiting for me in Kingston town
And when I am king,
When I ascend to the throne,
Surely I would need a queen
I would need a queen by my side,
And a palace and everything, yeah
And all the trappings of a king's life,
Tonight I am king,
For this night, I am the ruler,
Then my queen will come at dawn
And by morning, my queen will arrive,
She'll be waiting in Kingston town
She'll be there, waiting for me in Kingston town
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenrick Patrick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind