Delroy Wilson OD (5 October 1948 – 6 March 1995) was a Jamaican Ska, Rockst… Read Full Bio ↴Delroy Wilson OD (5 October 1948 – 6 March 1995) was a Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae singer.
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.
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.
This Life Makes Me Wonder
Delroy Wilson Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Delroy Wilson:
Ain't That Peculiar Honey you do me wrong but still I'm crazy about…
Baby I Need Your Loving Baby, I need your lovin' Baby, I need your lovin' Although y…
Better Come Yeah, yeah, yeah I've been trying a long, long time still…
Call On Me When you need a good loving When you need a good…
CAN Sugar pie honey bunch you know that I love you I…
Can I Change My Mind She didn't bat an eye, as I packed my bags…
Can't You See Can't you see, that I love you Please don't break, my…
Cool Operator I love the way you walk I love to hear you…
Dancing Mood I'm in a dancing mood, baby now I'm in a dancing…
Gave You My Love If I had to live my life without you near…
Get Ready I never met a girl who makes me feel the…
Give You My Love If I had to live my life without you near…
Have Some Mercy Have some mercy on me baby Don't leave me in misery…
I (I'm still waiting) I'm still waiting (I'm still waiting) (…
I Can't Explain Sugar pie honey bunch you know that I love you I…
I Shall Be Released Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh yeah They say everything can be replaced …
I Want Justice I want to love you, love you, baby, 'til I…
I'm In Love I've been in love so many times Thought I never knew…
I'm In The Mood For Love Yeah, oh baby I really love you Oh girl, girl…
I'm Stil Waiting (I'm still waiting) I'm still waiting (I'm still waiting) (…
I'm Yours Well you done done me and you bet I felt it I…
Inner City Blues Rockets, moon shots Spend it on the have nots Money, we made…
It's A Shame It's a shame what you've done to me It's a shame,…
It's The Same Old Song Sweet as a honey bee but like a honey bee…
It's You I Love I want to love you, love you, baby, 'til I…
Let There Be Love All the years since yesterday my heart still Beats a…
Letter To Mommy And Daddy This is a letter To mommy and daddy Telling them The things …
Love to See You Smile Homer: Ah. Hm-hm. Marge? I was born to make you…
My Girl I've got sunshine on a cloudy day When it's cold outside…
My Love If I had to live my life without you near…
Once Upon A Time Once upon a time, I almost lost my mind. I was lonely,…
One One (I'm still waiting) I'm still waiting (I'm still waiting) (…
Peace & Love Let There Be Love All the years since yesterday my heart still Beats a…
Put Yourself In My Place Put yourself in my place If only for a day See if…
Rain from the Skies Ever since you went away Every day It's just a…
Run Run You've gotta run run run Run as best as you can I'm…
Same Old Song Sweet as a honey bee but like a honey bee…
Sharing the Night Together You're looking kinda lonely girl Would you like someone new …
Spanish Harlem There is a rose in Spanish Harlem A red rose up…
The Same Old Song Sweet as a honey bee but like a honey bee…
This Heart of Mine This old heart of mine It broke a thousand times Each night…
This Is Old Heart of Mine This old heart of mine been broke a thousand times. Each…
This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) This old heart of mine been broke a thousand times Each…
Version Yeah, yeah, yeah I've been trying a long, long time still…
Want To I want to love you, love you, baby, 'til I…
What Am I Living for What am I living for, if not for you? What am…
What's Going On Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, broth…
Win Your Loving Baby, I need your lovin' Baby, I need your lovin' Although…
You Bend My Love If I had to live my life without you near…
You Must Believe Me You must believe me No matter what the people might…
Your Love Is Amazing Ooh-oh-oh wee, your love is amazing (Darling, darling) Ooh-o…
Your Number One Baby, I need your lovin' Baby, I need your lovin' Although y…
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Dean Hatch
This life makes me wonder
how to live another day to come
this life makes me wonder
how to live another day to come
i feel the strong of the hand of one that i was depending on
it takes a friend....to be a friend
it takes a friend... to stop a friend
Benjamin Hoke
this may be one of the best songs I've ever heard...
ASAP Lock
Damn... you too?! This is the kind of tune that sends you to outer space.
indy 56
Samson Say from Roy Shirley in 1969 is up there with this hit, its also ultra rare and a very old collectible favorite with many first generation Skinheads,however very little is known about it ,give it an air sometime and hear for yourself, top tune.
Marcelo Augusto
Pensativo entre olhares perdidos na madrugada ao som dessa música... Que música maravilhosa pra pensar na vida!
Rafael Puente Roca
Delroy Wilson did everything...ska, rocksteady then Reagge masterfully only compared to the great Alton Ellis.....a real Jamaican heroe....
Nirlei Muciano
Both my favourites!!!💚💚💚💚🔥🔥🔥
1970RudeBoy
This will be played at my funeral
Stafford Skinhead
New to my ears. Lovely job. Neat and tidy. Crackin tune Gromit
Park
definitely one of my favorites
engine-54
masterpiece!!