Born in Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica, Wilson released his first single "Emy Lou" in 1961 for record producer, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, at the age of thirteen. His early years with Coxsone yielded a number of ska hits, the biggest of which, the Lee Perry-written "Joe Liges" was an attack on rival producer and former Dodd employee Prince Buster. This was followed by another Perry-written attack on Buster, "Spit in the Sky". Further singles followed, including "One Two Three", "I Shall Not Remove", "Look Who Is Back Again" (a duet with Slim Smith), and another anti-Buster song, "Prince Pharaoh", notably the only record featuring the voice of Dodd himself.
His voice matured as he left his teens, around the time of ska's transition to rocksteady and this period in the late 1960s produced many hits including one of the first rocksteady records, "Dancing Mood", "Jerk in Time" (with the Wailers), "Feel Good All Over", "I'm Not a King", "True Believer in Love", "Rain From the Skies", "Conquer Me" and "Riding For A Fall". "Won't You Come Home", a duet with Ken Boothe on a rhythm originally cut by The Conquerors for Sonia Pottinger has become one of the most-versioned Jamaican tracks ever.[citation needed] After leaving Studio One he recorded for numerous other producers, with varying degrees of success, and set up his own short-lived W&C label along with Wilburn Cole, and the similarly-fated Links label with Ken Boothe, The Gaylads and The Melodians. He enjoyed success with Bunny Lee in the late 1960s and early 1970s with tracks such as "This Old Heart of Mine", "Footsteps of Another Man", and "Better Must Come". His double A-side "It Hurts"/"Put Yourself in My Place" was a skinhead favourite and narrowly missed UK chart success. He recorded a version of "Run Run", a song he had originally recorded for Dodd, for maverick producer Keith Hudson.
1970 saw Wilson's first tour of the UK, where he also recorded a number of songs for the Trojan record label.
In 1972, Michael Manley's People's National Party chose Wilson's "Better Must Come" as their election campaign song. The same year saw the release of one of his most popular songs, "Cool Operator", which became his nickname. He worked with a string of producers in the years that followed, including Joe Gibbs ("Mash Up Illiteracy", "Pretty Girl"), Gussie Clarke ("Love"), Winston "Niney" Holness ("Rascal Man"), Harry J ("Ask The Lonely"), and Joseph Hoo Kim ("It's a Shame").
In 1976, he recorded a cover of The Wailers' "I'm Still Waiting" for Lloyd Charmers, which was hugely popular, and enjoyed some cross-over success, and was followed by the album Sarge, which is considered one of his strongest. Also a Bob Andy produced song, "The Last Thing On My Mind" rose to number one in Jamaica. Wilson continued the run of success until the end of the decade, but his career floundered during the early 1980s, with releases less common. His fortunes revived in the digital age with releases for King Jammy ("Don't Put The Blame On Me") and Bunny Lee ("Ease Up"), with new albums following, but he again drifted out of the limelight, with his health declining, and is best remembered for his earlier work.
In 1994, Wilson's enduring legacy to Jamaican music was recognized by a special plaque awarded him by the Jamaican government, and presented by the then Prime Minister, Patterson.
Delroy Wilson died on 6 March 1995 at Kingston's UWI hospital, of complications from cirrhosis of the liver. He was 46 years old.
Delroy is referenced by The Clash, in "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais".
In 2013 Wilson was posthumously awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government.
In the 1960s he sang duo with Paulette Williams as Delroy & Paulette.
He was not a part of the duo Higgs and Wilson with Joe Higgs and Roy Wilson(no relation)
He released his first solo single "If I Had a Beautiful Baby" in 1962 for record producer, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, at the age of thirteen. His follow-up single "Joe Liges" was written by Lee Perry, then working as a talent spotter/songwriter/singer for Dodd, and was a lyrical attack on former Coxsone employee and now rival, Prince Buster. The record was so popular that his follow-up, "Spit In The Sky", another Perry penned barb aimed at the Prince, was actually credited to Joe Liges when it was released in th UK on the Bluebeat and Black Swan labels.
Delroy's transition to rocksteady in the late 1960s produced many hits including "Conquer Me" and "Riding For A Fall". His classic song "Dancing Mood" remains one of the most popular Jamaican songs from that time. In 1972, Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley and his People's National Party chose Wilson's "Better Must Come" as their election campaign song to increase their vote amongst the 'sufferers' in Jamaica. Also a Bob Andy produced song, "The Last Thing On My Mind" rose to number one in Jamaica. Delroy was mainly produced by Bunny Lee throughout the 1970s and continued recording into the early 90s under various producers spanning a career of 30+ years.
Call On Me
Delroy Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you need a good hugging
Love and affection
A heart so true
Here′s what they're asking
I got it all right here for you
You needn′t feel lonely
I'll design a life of love for you
And here′s all you got to do
When you need a good loving darling
When you need a good kissing, yeah
When you need a good hugging yeah, yeah, yeah
Won′t you call on me?
Won't you call on me?
You can′t live alone dear
You're all I chose
Everybody needs a future
And I can see my future in you
You needn′t be lonely
No you shouldn't be blue, yeah
I′ll design a life of love for you
And here's all you got to do
When you need a good loving darling
When you need a good kissing, yeah
When you need a good hugging yeah, yeah, yeah
Won't you call on me?
Won′t you call on me?
When you need a good loving
When you need a good kissing, darling
I′ll be there
When you need a good loving
Call upon me baby
I'll be there
When you need a good loving darling
When you need a good kissing, yeah
When you need a good hugging yeah, yeah, yeah
Won′t you call on me?
Won't you call on me?
You can′t live alone dear
You're all I chose
Everybody needs a future
And I can see my future in you
You needn′t be lonely
You shouldn't be blue, baby
I'll design a life of love for you
And here′s all you got to do
When you need a good loving
When you need a good kissing darling
When you need a good hugging yeah, yeah, yeah
Won′t you call on me?
Won't you call on me baby?
When you need a good loving, loving
Won′t you call on me?
When you need a good kissing
Won't you call on me?
When you need a good hugging
Won′t you call on me?
When you need a good loving, hugging, kissing
Call on me
The lyrics to Delroy Wilson's song "Call On Me" express the singer's willingness to be there for his love interest whenever they need him. Wilson conveys that he is capable of providing the love and affection that his partner desires, and he promises to create a fulfilling life of love for them. The repeated refrain of "when you need a good loving, kissing, hugging, won't you call on me?" emphasizes the singer's availability and eagerness to meet his partner's needs.
Throughout the song, Wilson provides reassurance to his partner that they do not have to be alone, and encourages them to rely on him for the love and support they seek. The lyrics also suggest that the singer sees his future with this person and that they have a special connection, as he states that they are "all he chose," and he can see his future in them.
Overall, the lyrics to "Call On Me" communicate a message of love, support, and devotion. The singer is committed to providing his partner with the kind of love they desire, and he promises to always be there when they need him.
Line by Line Meaning
When you need a good loving
When you're looking for love
When you need a good hugging
When you need someone to hold you tight
Love and affection
The emotions that I offer you
A heart so true
My love is sincere
Here's what they're asking
This is what everyone wants
I got it all right here for you
I can give you everything you need
You needn't feel lonely
You don't have to be alone
You shouldn't be blue, baby
You don't have to be sad
I'll design a life of love for you
I can create a loving life for us
And here's all you got to do
It's simple, all you have to do is
You can't live alone dear
You can't be alone forever
Everybody needs a future
Everyone needs a future to look forward to
And I can see my future in you
I see my future with you
When you need a good kissing, yeah
When you want a passionate kiss
Won't you call on me?
Please reach out to me
I'll be there
I'll always be there for you
When you need a good loving
When you're looking for love
Call upon me baby
Ask me for anything
When you need a good loving, hugging, kissing
When you crave love and affection
Writer(s): Delroy Wilson, Edward O-sullivan Lee
Contributed by Brody I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@felxfellx
When you need a good loving
When you need a good hugging
Love and affection
A heart so true
Here's what they're asking
I got it all right here for you
You needn't feel lonely
You shouldn't be blue, baby
I'll design a life of love for you
And here's all you got to do
When you need a good loving, darling
When you need a good kissing, yeah
When you need a good hugging yeah, yeah, yeah
Won't you call on me?
Won't you call on me?
You can't live alone dear
You're all I choose
Everybody needs a future
And I can see my future in you
You needn't be lonely
No, you shouldn't be blue, yeah
I'll design a life of love for you
And here's all you got to do
When you need a good loving, darling
When you need a good kissing, yeah
When you need a good hugging yeah, yeah, yeah
Won't you call on me?
Won't you call on me? Oh, yeah
When you need a good loving
When you need a good kissing, darling
I'll be there
When you need a good loving
Call upon me baby
I'll be there
When you need a good loving darling
When you need a good kissing, yeah
When you need a good hugging yeah, yeah, yeah
Won't you call on me?
Won't you call on me?
You can't live alone dear
You're all I choose
Everybody needs a future
And I can see my future in you
You needn't be lonely
You shouldn't be blue, baby
I'll design a life of love for you
And here's all you got to do
When you need a good loving
When you need a good kissing darling
When you need a good hugging yeah, yeah, yeah
Won't you call on me?
Won't you call on me baby?
When you need a good loving, loving
Won't you call on me?
When you need a good kissing
Won't you call on me, baby
When you need a good hugging
Won't you call on me?
When you need a good loving, hugging, kissing
Call on me
@cynthiawilson1598
Love this song. When you need a good. Loving. Call on me.
@angeecorea7671
Delroy Wilson....not to be underestimated..
One of reggae's greats....
"Call On Me..."
Always loved this song,
and that unique beat....
@shiningstar4181
It took over thirty years for this song to get popular. I thought The Great One was still alive when I heard this playing in the Dancehall. The only two things Father Time fear are The Great Pyramids and Great Music, they never die. This is GREAT music, long live Saddle-Head
@celinecharles6570
❤❤❤❤this song is so inspiring and still sounds great 😊 I guess a different version heard it since I was a kid.
@shiningstar4181
Correction, almost 50 years. Reggae never dies
@Joylynbean-pe2pp
Biggg song live on Delroy 🎉🎉❤❤❤😮😮😮
@Paulo-hg1kw
pancada desse mito jamaicano.
@boss_breabrahams2224
Make my day 🎶💯❤️🙏🏽🇯🇲🔥🔥🔥❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
@Shannonbarnesdr1
pretty rockin' bobby blue bland cover.
@georgewheatley7195
Good old days music wish those day could come back