Brown's first recording was "Lips of Wine" recorded for Derrick Harriott (The Musical Chariot), but this was not released initially. He then recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, and Dodd released Brown's first single, "No Man is an Island". Brown recorded two albums for Dodd, No Man is an Island and If I Follow my Heart (the title track penned by Alton Ellis). Around this time, Brown recorded material for Lloyd Daley ("Baby Don't Do It" and "Things in Life") and material for Derrick Hariott, which was eventually released as the Super Reggae and Soul Hits album. He also worked for Earl Hayles and the Charmaine label early in his career. He had a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom in 1977. This led to his contract with A&M Records, and to the formation of his own label, DEB records, which produced several hits, including many by Junior Delgado.
His first big hit was "Money In My Pocket" on the Joe Gibbs label, and by the late 1970s, Brown had recorded and performed chart-toppers such as "Sitting & Watching", "Wolves and Leopards", "Here I Come" and "Revolution"; many featuring Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section. As the dancehall era of the 1980s arrived, Brown frequently recorded with King Jammy and Gussie Clark. His song "Revolution" is featured on the reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. According to some sources, Brown became addicted to crack cocaine, which affected his career and may have lead to his premature death. Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and opposition leader Edward Seaga of the Jamaica Labour Party both spoke at Brown's funeral, which was held on July 17, 1999 in Kingston, Jamaica. The service, which lasted for three hours, also featured live performances by Maxi Priest, Shaggy, and five of Brown's sons. Brown was then buried at Kingston's National Heroes Park.
Black Magic Woman
Dennis Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a black magic woman.
I've got a black magic woman,
Got me so blind, I can't see, well;
That she's a black magic woman,
She's trying to make a devil out of me.
You turn your back on me, baby, well.
Don't turn your back on me, baby,
Stop messing around with your tricks;
Don't turn your back on me, baby, 'cause,
You might just wake up my magic sticks, well.
(..)
Got your spell on me, baby.
Got your spell on me, baby.
You've got your spell on me, baby,
Turnin' my heart into stone;
I need you so bad,
Magic woman I can't leave you alone.
Ah.. yea..
I just, I just, I just, just,
Can't leave you alone..
Got your spell on me, baby.
Got your spell, baby.
In Dennis Brown's "Black Magic Woman," the singer reveals that he is under the spell of a woman who possesses black magic. He claims that she has gotten him so blind that he cannot see the kind of woman she truly is, and that she is trying to turn him into a devil. The woman has some trickeries up her sleeve, and the singer warns her not to turn her back on him, since she might end up awakening his magic sticks. In the end, the woman's black magic has a hold over the singer, as he declares that she has put a spell on him, turning his heart into stone. He confesses that he cannot leave her alone even though he knows she has him under her spell.
The song is about a man who is bewitched by a woman who possesses black magic. She uses her powers to entice and keep him under her spell. This song can be interpreted metaphorically or quite literally, as a commentary on the potential danger that can arise when dealing with supernatural forces. It could also be a cautionary tale about the danger of being blinded by love or desire, and the need to stay aware of who one is dealing with.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a black magic woman.
I possess a woman with the ability to use black magic.
I got a black magic woman.
I have a woman who practices witchcraft.
I've got a black magic woman,
I am in a relationship with a woman who has supernatural powers.
Got me so blind, I can't see, well;
Her magic has blinded me to her true character and intentions.
That she's a black magic woman,
She truly is a woman who practices dark magic.
She's trying to make a devil out of me.
She aims to corrupt and lead me astray with her powers.
You turn your back on me, baby, well.
You're rejecting and ignoring me, baby.
Don't turn your back on me, baby.
Please don't turn your back on me and leave me alone.
Don't turn your back on me, baby,
I am pleading with you not to abandon me.
Stop messing around with your tricks;
Please stop playing games and manipulating me.
Don't turn your back on me, baby, 'cause,
If you leave me, bad things will happen.
You might just wake up my magic sticks, well.
My powerful magic may be unleashed on you.
Got your spell on me, baby.
I am under your control, thanks to your witchcraft.
Got your spell on me, baby.
I am ensnared by your magical abilities.
You've got your spell on me, baby,
You have effectively bewitched me.
Turnin' my heart into stone;
Your magic has made me cold and unfeeling.
I need you so bad,
I am desiring you with an intense passion.
Magic woman I can't leave you alone.
My addiction to your magic has made it impossible for me to let you go.
Ah.. yea..
An expression of pleasure, satisfaction or agreement.
I just, I just, I just, just,
I am overwhelmed by my emotions and feelings.
Can't leave you alone..
I am unable to break free from your spell and influence.
Got your spell on me, baby.
I am still completely controlled by your magic.
Got your spell, baby.
I am still hopelessly entranced by your supernatural powers.
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joinha Belesma
I got a black magic woman
I got a black magic woman
I've got a black magic woman
Got me so blind, I can't see, well;
That she's a black magic woman
She's trying to make a devil out of me
You turn your back on me, baby, well
Don't turn your back on me, baby
Don't turn your back on me, baby
Stop messing around with your tricks;
Don't turn your back on me, baby, 'cause
You might just wake up my magic sticks, well
(..)
Got your spell on me, baby
Got your spell on me, baby
You've got your spell on me, baby
Turnin' my heart into stone;
I need you so bad
Magic woman I can't leave you alone
Ah.. yea..
I just, I just, I just, just
Can't leave you alone..
Got your spell on me, baby
Got your spell, baby
the darkman
Es magia, es Dennis Brown 😌
Joinha Belesma
I got a black magic woman
I got a black magic woman
I've got a black magic woman
Got me so blind, I can't see, well;
That she's a black magic woman
She's trying to make a devil out of me
You turn your back on me, baby, well
Don't turn your back on me, baby
Don't turn your back on me, baby
Stop messing around with your tricks;
Don't turn your back on me, baby, 'cause
You might just wake up my magic sticks, well
(..)
Got your spell on me, baby
Got your spell on me, baby
You've got your spell on me, baby
Turnin' my heart into stone;
I need you so bad
Magic woman I can't leave you alone
Ah.. yea..
I just, I just, I just, just
Can't leave you alone..
Got your spell on me, baby
Got your spell, baby
Megistus
Top tier foundation tune. Magical Dennis Brown on the case...yet again. 💣💣💥
regsis
Big up D Brown . Voice of an angel . Blessed
diogo dias
Brasil 2022 ;) minha música preferida há 8 anos 😍
Anderson Sousa Silva
se nao a melhor, a segunda! agulhadas no miocardio esse solinho!
helithemaddog
People, just think of the sweet honey voice Dennis Emmanuel, year -72 originally recording this, the then 15 year old schoolboy... I don't know bout others, but to me Dennis Emmanuel Brown was, is and will always be the one and only, the greatest singer, and not just reggae but every music genre. I still love him, he's still my all time favorite, RIP DEB <3
Reggmad irie
Happy Birthday Crown Prince Of Reggae Dennis Brown. We miss your works. We are so thankful for the legacy, you have so genorously left behind for us to enjoy ☺😊☺😊☺😊☺😊😊😊😊😊
Reggmad irie
Thank you for liking my comment ☺😊😊☺😊😊
Reggmad irie
Thank you for liking my comment. He is still The Crown Prince Of Reggae ☺😊☺😊☺