Double Barrel
Dave Barker Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am the magnificent, I'm backed by the shack of a soul
Boss most turnin', stormin' sound o'soul

I am double u 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

Work it on baby, mush, mush, mush, mush

Hit me one time, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh ugh
Break it up, push your lips now

You're fine baby, you're fine
I am the magnificent, double u o o o
Good God, too much, I like it

Soul party
Work it up one time, work it two time
Shack it, back it
I am the magnificent baby, double u o o o

Enter the shack at the back of your soul baby
Work it out huh, hit me one time

Overall Meaning

The opening line of Dave Barker and Ansel Collins' hit song "Double Barrel" sets the tone for the entire track. The lyrics "I am the magnificent, I'm backed by the shack of a soul" indicate that the singer is confident, charismatic and powerful. This feeling is reinforced throughout the song with lines such as "Boss most turnin', stormin' sound o'soul" and "I am double u o o o, and I'm still up here again, hey". The singer is declaring that they are the best, and nothing can stop them.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the hardworking nature of the singer, as they repeatedly chant "Work, work, work, work, work," followed by "Build it up one time" and "Work it on baby, mush, mush, mush, mush". This suggests that success is not just a product of talent or charisma but requires hard work and dedication. The song is further embellished with catchy sound effects like "ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh" and "shack it, back it" which add to the overall energetic nature of the track.

Overall, "Double Barrel" is an upbeat, catchy track that emphasizes the power of hard work and confidence. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, making them easy to sing along with, and the track has become a classic in the reggae genre.

Line by Line Meaning

I am the magnificent, I'm backed by the shack of a soul
I am great, supported by a rich inner life

Boss most turnin', stormin' sound o'soul
Leading the most exciting and passionate music genre

I am double u o o o, and I'm still up here again, hey
I am unstoppable and still on top

Work, work, work, work, work,
Let's work hard

Work, work, work, work, work, work
Let's work even harder

Build it up one time
Let's create something great together

Work it on baby, mush, mush, mush, mush
Keep going and push through

Hit me one time, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh ugh
Give me your best shot

Break it up, push your lips now
Let's add some variety and vocal expression

You're fine baby, you're fine
You're doing great, keep it up

I am the magnificent, double u o o o
I am really great

Good God, too much, I like it
This is amazing, I'm enjoying it too much

Soul party
Let's enjoy this soulful experience

Work it up one time, work it two time
Let's keep working hard and keep the momentum going

Shack it, back it
Let's add some funk and rhythm

Enter the shack at the back of your soul baby
Let's explore the depths of your soul

Work it out huh, hit me one time
Let's keep going and give it our all

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVE BARKER, WINSTON RILEY, ANSEL COLLINS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Splatiri

3y↑2

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

All comments from YouTube:

@djkurtriley

1y↑44

This song was produced by my dad (The Late Winston Riley) formally of the reggae iconic group "The Techniques"

@mathieuduigou7060

15w

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

3y↑133

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

1y↑1

Classic reggae!!

@llwyde1104

1y↑1

Yup, true, i was there, northbank Highbury etc

@zincalloy2213

46w↑2

When the spirit of 69 flowed through us all - right down to the toes of my Cherry Reds 👍

@mauricemzwinila8041

35w↑4

Yes!!!!! I was stompin' to it too in Derby England in 1970 .

@mariadelrefugiollamasmiran7012

33w

Creo q toda canción trae recuerdos de as lgo en la vida,No importa el ldioma q hablemos,La música así como nuestro CREADOR....Es universal !! ❤😊❤

5 More Replies...

@yvonneallen7227

Reggae / ska . This is THE tune . 👍

@user-nl1bo9rg3p

50w↑31

Pure geniuis from Dave and Ansel. A simple melody but so many creative touches, beyond perfection!!!!

@punishedmatteson7108

34w

Hit me one time

@stevenfreeman5707

9w↑5

I was 8 years old, the first song I really loved, don't know why, but it's never left me. Came looking today 52 years later.

@lynetteharlow_carr7952

22w↑9

I'm here, 67 years old and I love reggae as much now as when I was 15 dancing at the Howard Mallet in Cambridge. How I miss yesterday's music. Absolute rubbish nowadays!

@RogerEnglish-xl4kn

I love this song takes me back to my teenage years

@chriswalker5737

28w↑5

Levis stay press,docers,ben sherman,braces and harrington jacket.Those were the days.

@philipdowns6723

3y↑41

It doesn't seem like 50 years since this was a big hit in the UK, a real classic.

@gregoryclemen1870

this tune in the U.S. stalled at # 15 on billboards hot 100 in the summer of 1971, this tune did get local air play, and I loved this tune when it hit the airwaves. I still have the "SINGLE" too!!!.( released on "BIG TREE" records--- the B side was the instrumental of the same tune).you know it is a great tune when you play it 52 years later, and never get tired of hearing it!!!

@punishedmatteson7108

32w

Soul power

@Ricksta66

8w↑2

I've just been blasted back into 1971 awesome

@alessandromendes8818

3y↑35

I am 42 years old, I have known this song since I was a simple little boy. My uncle always played this music at family parties. Here in Brazil, this song is known in all the peripheries.

@rciscon

3y↑27

This magnificent reggae song was a huge hit in Chicago in 1971. I was 8 years old, and this tune has remained in my head for all these years.Thank you Collins Brothers, for your wonderful music!

Don't ever stop being the Magnificent W-O-O-O!

@michaelwinter7136

2y↑2

Lubertdas. Not trying to be a "know it all".......even though the Artistes are listed as Dave and Ansel Collins,the first listed Artiste was named as Dave Barker(real name,David John Crook)......Ansel Collins (keyboardist)was His cousin.....

@RayProctorHerts

They weren't brothers. It's Dave Barker on vocals, along with Ansil Collins.

@user-tm6ic2rd7h

In '71 I was 12 when this came on the radio...I wasn't use to this...I was listening to everything too ten...and it was great...but when Double Barrel came on... everything about it was completely new to me...the reverb and the WORK- WORK-WORK and MUSH- MUSH-MUSH... and the piano was so simple but meaningful...8 months ago my Bible study guy also into this era of music ( a whitey ...😮😂 ) asked about it and couldn't remember much of it...but his saying W-OOO totally brought it back instantly to me ...a no brainer...so I told him the title and I told him it was a huge favorite since I was a kid...I have the original 45 of course....doesn't everyone....!!

@muffs55mercury61

3y↑7

It also did well in the USA peaking at #22 in the awesome hot summer of 1971. The song is indeed magnificent !

@tintobrass532

1y↑6

“I am the magnificent…W OOO….”

@ChayBode

3y↑45

Thank you for NOT spoiling this song with Ads and letting it play through, I enjoyed it in FULL :)

@jujughostjujughost4758

3y↑84

11 years old when it came out and first reggae tune I ever had heard ...life changer...opened my eyes to new musical possibilities and I’ve loved world music ever since.

@molemole1257

3y↑2

My thoughts exactly!

@Splatiri

3y↑2

@steverabbits

Yep, fantastic ain't it! I was 10½ years old so not far behind you

@70tezskin

4w↑1

Skinhead dance floor classic. Strobe lighting. Boots and Braces.
Late 60s Early 70s.
Skinheads Life Would Never Be The Same.

@kirtadams6688

2y↑16

This made air play when I was in high school. Some of the hardest days of my life. I bought the 45 rpm copy of this and when I was at my lowest, I would play this as loud as my record changer would go, and covered the lyrics as loud as I could. Then, I felt much, much better about life.

@muffs55mercury61

29w

Music is a great healer !!! I've used songs that way all my life. Music will be your best friend if no person is willing or able to do so.
Still got all of my 45s, this one included.

@geoffhummerstone

31w

soul power x

@JCSAXON

1y↑4

When my lil bro & I were younger we must have picked up 25-30 copies of this 45 in Kentucky alone. I used to play it on the radio, dancefloors & rolly-ride systems constantly. One of the first US Jamaican break throughs

@ronrijn

52w↑8

I was 12 years old when this song was released and it was #1 in my personal charts for weeks. Completely forgot about it till just now when i heard a little piece playing in the background on a tv series. Brings back memories of me in my room playing singles on my first pick up 🔊🎹🎤🎶🎶

@driski90

3y↑11

When i was a kid, my older brothers would have all the neighborhood friends over. All were 15-17 and seemed bigger than life to me. They always played this song before going out and terrorizing the neighborhood. I always loved the piano in it
I've spent 48+ years trying to find this song. I just heard it on an old American Top 40. I'm so happy!

@theheroofthestory9330

39w↑1

I know what you mean, I have been trying to find it for years also. So glad I found it. Never could remember the name.
I even forgot it had lyrics, I was thinking it was just instrumental until I heard; "I am the magnificent!"
Then it all came back to me.

@anthonymitchell9743

1y↑3

My first ever 45 rpm record purchase 50p 1970 A classic sound!!😎🤟

@malcolmcog

3y↑8

Fifty years ? To me it seems like yesterday when I first heard this !

@punishedmatteson7108

34w

Break, break, hit me one time

@alisontaylor5743

48w↑2

Top Rank Saturday mornings for under 18’s Cardiff 14 at time - so good ❤

@marylinedavid8063

15w↑1

Grew up in Kings Heath Birmingham, listening to these classics lol. Looked forward to Top of the Pops every Thursday and would dance away in the living room lol. Good memories. Back when it seemed people got along….

@user-se1ms6kv2u

44w↑2

My mum worked in a youth club and this was played constantly. Aww brings back great memories. Hume Manchester

@007Thebwoy

3y↑25

I remember them being on Top Of The Pops. Pure.🔥🔥🔥🔥

@brasilbrasileiro906

10w

Pião de Vida Loka - 🇧🇷

@bigguys45s29

2y↑1

I AM THE MAGNIFICENT WOOO!

@kevinhoward7719

2y↑2

this reminds me of the Ilford palaise on a friday night Kevo, pisea

@rodericklawson8513

1y↑13

My all time favorite reggae tunes!

@karinrichards1455

1y↑4

Love it, still got the album.

@ilbrutto22

3y↑5

Alltime skinhead favorit! Think back about many many great nighters. I‘m in a dancing mood…again! 😎

@GoodSoundz13

3y↑20

What a reggae anthem to celebrate in the year of 2021

@afton1955

3y↑3

Hey, did you realize this song is 50 years old? Good tune then and it's still a good one now!

@garybalchin277

3y↑17

Sly Dunbar On The Drums ♥️💛💚

@GoodSoundz13

3y↑4

Good to know, Sly has been lickin' these drums for some time now

@leovinci8303

Loved it, iwas 12. Rushed home after school every night to hear "Yorkie" - Lionel York - and his top ten on 3AK. That station doesnt exist anymore. /(Melb. Aust.)

@FunkySalsero

3y↑2

Wow! Was HE? Well, contrary to the comments on here, this is a VALUED snippet of information....nuff thanks!!

@randyverblauw9500

1y↑1

Played a v.a cassette from the 70's on my tape deck today and it brought me here! Nice song

@lukebrennan5780

52w↑3

I was oh, 11-12 years old, and would play this in the jukebox at the local pool-room EVERY time. Still a BRILLIANT sound today-

@sarahdeighton2373

1y↑1

My funeral song!!

@johnthorley8162

1y↑3

The sound of my youth right there :)

@Captain_Leadbottom

3y↑4

Bass is right on this one.
Piano is over the top!
Definitely turn this one up and drop the bass.

@shiralleehaggart72

1y↑3

I was six years old when this was in the charts 'can even remember the house we were living in when it was it being played on the radio' I have always liked this song. Thank you for such fantastic music Dave and Ansell Collins.

@terrytaylor4870

3y↑27

What a good summer with this tune... Spirit of 69

@africarlos

3y↑4

@bridgestblue5007

3y↑3

Sorry Boss, 1969 was a good year for tunes....... but this is from 1971!

@grw8293

3y↑18

Can't beat the classics, I remember getting this tune to play in a radio show in secondary school, weeks later it was number one. it's a tune I never get tired of hearing.

@david-gg7ii

awesome tune 🤩

@craigsmith-yj8cf

First time I've ever heard this song yesterday and absolutely love it

@squizza28

48w↑4

One of the strangest vocals on any record. But also so memorable!

@scootsnskasc1969

39w↑1

A boss tune this! A must on the dancefloor

@imanihekima1659

3y↑9

I was 4 years old when this was released and it's my earliest memory of music on tv. A wonderful, exciting record that remains as cool as ever. Thank you, Dave and Ansel. (And Sly!)

@shelvismoura5413

2y↑2

25 anos, Guarulhos-SP... Fui longe!

@philbiddle1899

1y↑1

Tonic suits box tops & loafers and this magic music I am love it....

@dillongstaff5625

29w

to much i like it!

@walkietalkie8334

11w

Ive known this tune years but only found it recently thanks to my sister thanks sis loves ya and what a tune!

@DLCOrganization

3y↑8

Time to address the elephant in the room.
In the intro, Dave says...
"I'm backed WITH the shack of a soul boast. . . most THUNDERING... storming... sound of Soul!"

Also, in the third stanza, he says "Work it ON ME one time..."
Just had to make it known. LONG LIVE THE MAGNIFICENTS!

@geojoanne1

25w↑1

Thank God for youtube when you want to find memories

@dillongstaff5625

29w↑2

2nd reggae UK Number 1 - after Israelites by Desmond Dekker and The Aces.

@ruthdixon7807

27w↑1

dave was dave barker, a fine falsetto singer who also specialized in vocal interjections, the keyboardist was ansell collins, and a young sly dunbar was on drums.

@kidneystone53

3y↑10

Absolutely brilliant

@hondonvalleimakelaar

1y↑1

Dit was onze intro van onze drive in discotheek

@robertbrown8362

3y↑7

I've always loved this song, reminds me of when i use to buy weed from Prof in Brixton,i always think of him,a real good man,is he still of this world ? i dont know,but im sure i'll meet him on the next one.Thanks for the upload.

@JasonJason210

3y↑2

Used to listen to this in the car on an 8-track when we drove through Europe back in 1970s.

@noelsalisbury7448

1y↑1

As a young middle class White Kid, I always smiled quietly to myself when my mates started going-on about Bob Marley!
Like, as I was into this "Reggae Music" ( I know it's strictly SKA , ok ) - about 5 years before he came on the Scene in the UK 😊 and when it was some "funny kind of Rock Music" by this group called The Wailers.

@fesquemonkey9784

Besides my 1911 this was the favorite 45 ever for this 1980s Los Angeles Rude Boy, Untouchables🏁🇧🇴🇯🇲🇺🇸

@dwatts711

Top rank Leicester

@TanCoul

1y↑3

perfection in 167 seconds - if you're not dancing to this you're never dancing to anything

@Wunjo-Wunjo

23w

I couldn't agree more!

@jomillie12

3y↑6

Thanks Dave for the joys this song has given me over the years.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@stuartdelamare4072

3y↑12

Epic tune 👍🏼🇬🇬

@debrafitzsimmonsedwards3000

3y↑1

I was a skinhead back in the day....this reminds me of them great times!!!!

@kristahulands7994

30w

Bristol Ice rink , wonderful memories......

@lonicarpenter3378

I love this song ❤memories Classic Music !!!

@joelconfalonieri5621

2y↑2

Never ending best groove ever since the 70's. Shave your head skank your feet and hold this shiny smile high enough so it can reverb all around.

@samanthafox2664

33w

Ha ha ha, this brings me such GOOD vibes! Great track, even after ALL these years... "I am the magnificent" 🎶

@KeithKazamaFlick

42w

Sly & Ranchie on the beat

@leroyhamilton6333

16w

All I can say the amount of times I got in trouble playing this a c90 cassette from my mum when she came home church yes church then turn table memories big time

@steveboyd8994

Perfect background tune to shine your brogues to 😎

@DrGoodnSexy75

2y↑4

Pure happiness in a tune love it 💚💚🔥🔥🔥

@Ladybirdwatching

Wicked wicked tune, thanks for uploading.

@AtZero138

3y↑1

Stay Rude, Stay Roots and keep your Boots Stomping

@JohnnyNowhere

Man, this shit was so weird for me when I was twelve or so. My parents listened to nothing but country music. Then I heard Dave and Ansel on the radio. WOW.

@Shemra

3y↑1

Thank you mum and dad!!

@jeankavanagh1485

Oh my ♥ I pure love this!!!!♡☆♡☆♡

@abbathocculta7654

1y↑1

Um pião de Vida Loka - Trilha sonora do Gueto

@cicerobatistadasilva3157

1y↑1

TRILHA SONORA DO GUETO UM PIÃO DE VIDA LOKA

@PeterMarshall-pr8yl

22w

The undertaker disco....used to hear him drop this when I was 14 and sneaking into the dance.... Wicked tune!!!!!!

@brianbowie2551

3y↑1

WOOO

@DavidJHowe00

15w

Plebs brought me here :)

@stephensaxby2820

3y↑5

A fantastic video tribute to such a great and seminal reggae song.

Thanks Trojan Records.

@honiideslysses12

3y↑6

Reggae in its infancy. Our troubled world could use a little more spiritual and cultural uplifting tunes. Ha! I was only about a month away from my first birthday upon release!

@carloscardenas4921

3y↑1

So many pp says I'm too young to like me this kind of music but...
What else can I do?
This is real music, this is Trojan Records

@isokabooks3758

14w

Young Sly Drumbar on the sticks

@rafael.a.k.a.bz.

3y↑2

SE VIDA LOKA ...

@kennethhalls8062

2y↑1

Real music they don't make music like this no more brilliant majestic

@chadstanley8862

Ahhh. Back in the day when radio was king. This got a LOT of airplay in the summer of '71, along with the AM top 40 rock. But this one...was Rock Steady!

@lifeworksndhenterprisesllc6597

3y↑1

Thanks to you father dave broughs got your yelping so great. You ate always the magnificent in our hearts happy fifiteth anniversary.

@dominiqueharnet9517

21w

50 years before in the jule. Ox of the golden saloon of charleroi
Omg

@estebancardenas1929

51w↑2

Que padre y alegre canción de los 70s, gracias por subirla

@hhamk3656

3y↑2

My funeral tune

@WOODR52

3y↑2

this is a really cool song, remember it when it was on the radio...

@davidarmson3575

Reminds me of the faires years ago. In the seventies. Bring it on.

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