Dave Barker (born David John Crooks, 10 October 1947, Kingston, Jamaica), a session vocalist, and Ansell Collins (born 1949, Kingston, Jamaica) , a keyboards player, were working for producer Lee “Scratch” Perry in Kingston, Jamaica in the late 1960s, and joined forces in 1971, for the ska single “Double Barrel”. Released on Techniques Records, part of the Trojan Records label, it topped the Jamaican and UK charts in March of that year. It was the first record the celebrated drummer, Sly Dunbar, ever played on. He was aged fourteen at the time.
The follow-up release, the similarly styled “Monkey Spanner” enjoyed the same international success. Most of their recorded work was written by Winston Riley. After cutting an album, Collins and Barker parted company; Collins becoming a top class session player and Barker, now resident in the UK, singing with a number of undistinguished soul groups. They attempted a comeback in 1981 without success.
In 1986, Ansell appeared as one of Ernest Reed’s (Jimmy Cliff) back-up musicians in the reggae-themed comedy film, Club Paradise. He was billed as “Ansel (sic) “Double Barrel” Collins”[3].
Ansell Collins has played and worked with The Upsetters, Black Uhuru, The Mighty Diamonds, Barrington Levy, Gregory Isaacs, U-Roy, Pama International and Jimmy Cliff in a long career.
Double Barrel
Dave & Ansel Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boss most turnin', stormin' sound o'soul
I am W-O-O-O, and I'm still up here again, hey
(Work, work, work, work, work,
Work, work, work, work, work, work)
Build it up one time
Hit me one time, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh ugh
Work it up on me
Work, work, work, work, work,
Work, work, work, work, work, work
You're good baby, you're good
And a true spin, baby, hmm
I am the magnificent, W-O-O-O
Good God, too much, I like it
Oh, smush, smush, smush, smush, eh, good god
Too much, I like
Soul power!
Work it up one time, work it two time
Shack it, back it
I am the magnificent baby, double W-O-O-O
Enter the shack at the back of your soul baby
Work it out huh, hit me one time, a two time
The song "Double Barrel" by Dave & Ansel Collins is a classic reggae hit that was released in 1971. The song features a repetitive chorus that references the "shack of a soul" and the "stormin' sound o'soul" which creates a sense of powerful and soulful energy. The lyrics suggest a sense of self-confidence and pride, with the singer proclaiming themselves as "the magnificent." This confidence is further emphasized with the repetition of the phrase "work, work, work," suggesting that the singer is constantly striving hard and working to achieve greatness.
The lyrics also feature references to physical movement and dance, with phrases like "mush mush" and "smush smush" suggesting a sense of energetic and frenetic movement. The repetition of the phrase "work it up one time" further reinforces the idea of dance and movement.
Overall, the lyrics of "Double Barrel" create a sense of powerful energy, pride, and movement. The song is a classic reggae hit that continues to be enjoyed and celebrated to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the magnificent, I'm backed by the shack of a soul
I am impressive and supported by the essence of your being
Boss most turnin', stormin' sound o'soul
Leader of the most dynamic, powerful sound of soul
I am W-O-O-O, and I'm still up here again, hey
I am still excellent and back on top, hey
(Work, work, work, work, work,
Work, work, work, work, work, work)
Build it up one time
Work it on baby, mush, mush, mush, mush
Let's initiate the building process through hard work and perseverance, and then let's get down to business and make things happen
Hit me one time, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh ugh
Work it up on me
Let's keep the enthusiasm going and keep working towards our goals
You're good baby, you're good
And a true spin, baby, hmm
You are impressive and have great potential
I am the magnificent, W-O-O-O
Good God, too much, I like it
I am amazing and powerful, and it's almost overwhelming, but I still love it
Oh, smush, smush, smush, smush, eh, good god
Too much, I like
Soul power!
The feeling of the music is so great and powerful that it's almost too much, but it's absolutely amazing
Work it up one time, work it two time
Shack it, back it
I am the magnificent baby, double W-O-O-O
Let's keep it going, and let's really get into it. I am still amazing, and I am even better than before.
Enter the shack at the back of your soul baby
Work it out huh, hit me one time, a two time
Let's explore the depths of your soul and bring out the best in you. Keep working at it and keep the rhythm going.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DAVE BARKER, WINSTON RILEY, ANSEL COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Splatiri
I got the original
Double barrel
Ansell brothers
Found it in Florida the late 80s- early 90s
And I loved it
Today was listening to the scratch perry essentials and recognized the music style of double barrel
To my surprise it was produced by none other then
Trojan records!
Wow
So this time predates your discovery date !
It’s ok it shows how amazing it actually is !
Timeless almost !
John “the spinning needle”
Gorzo
@djkurtriley
This song was produced by my dad (The Late Winston Riley) formally of the reggae iconic group "The Techniques"
@mathieuduigou7060
Héhé ❤
@petegaslondon
Wow get YOU ! kewwlll!!! ❤
@wbertie2604
Pretty amazing as this song has had such a legacy, influential for so many decades.
@hugh.g.rection5906
one of the songs of my childhood. your dad is a legend
@lindaosborne1617
Nice one
@johnpateman9900
Everyone on my council estate had this album and was playing it all summer long in 1971. Trojan reggae brought white and black youth together. Spirit of ‘69.
@thomasbeach137
Classic reggae!!
@llwyde1104
Yup, true, i was there, northbank Highbury etc
@zincalloy2213
When the spirit of 69 flowed through us all - right down to the toes of my Cherry Reds 👍