Dennis Emanuel Brown (February 1, 1957–July 1, 1999) was a Jamaican reggae … Read Full Bio ↴Dennis Emanuel Brown (February 1, 1957–July 1, 1999) was a Jamaican reggae singer. He recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the pioneers of lovers rock. Bob Marley dubbed him the "Crown Prince of Reggae".

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.

Last Thing On My Mind
Dennis Brown Lyrics

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It's a lesson too late for the learning
Made of sand, made of sand
In the wink of an eye my soul is turning
It's in your hands, in your hands

Are you going away with no words of farewell?
Could there be no trace left behind?
Well, I should have loved you better and didn't mean to be unkind

You know that was the last thing on my mind

It's a lesson too late for the learning
Made of sand, made of sand

Are you going away with no words of farewell?
Could there be no trace left behind?
Well, I should have loved you better and didn't mean to be unkind
You know that was the last thing on my mind

Are you going away with no words of farewell?
Could there be no trace left behind?
Well, I should have loved you better and didn't mean to be unkind
You know that was the last thing on my mind

You know that was the last thing on my mind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
You know that was the last thing on my mind

That was the last thing on my mind
You know that was the last thing on my mind

That was the last thing on my mind
You know that was the last thing on my mind

Overall Meaning

The song "The Last Thing On My Mind" by Dennis Brown is a poignant ballad that explores the theme of regret over lost love. The lyrics suggest that the singer has realized too late the mistakes they have made in their relationship, and now they must bear the consequences of their actions. The opening verse sets the tone for the song, as the singer acknowledges that the lesson they have learned is "too late for the learning." This suggests that they may have had opportunities in the past to recognize their mistakes and make amends, but they failed to do so.

The second verse is particularly powerful, as the singer poses a series of questions to their lover who is leaving them. They wonder if there will be no farewell, and if there will be no trace left behind. This suggests a deep sense of loss and abandonment, as the singer realizes that their lover is truly gone from their life. The final line of the verse, "Well, I should have loved you better and didn't mean to be unkind," is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the singer was not deliberately cruel to their lover, but perhaps they did not put in the effort to make the relationship work.

Overall, "The Last Thing On My Mind" is a powerful song that captures the emotions of regret and loss that can come with the end of a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

It's a lesson too late for the learning
This experience has taught me something, but unfortunately I had to learn it too late.

Made of sand, made of sand
This situation is fragile and temporary, like sand that can easily slip away.

In the wink of an eye my soul is turning
In a very short amount of time, my perspective has shifted drastically.

It's in your hands, in your hands
The outcome of this situation is completely out of my control and up to you.

Are you going away with no words of farewell?
Will you be leaving without saying goodbye or giving any indication?

Could there be no trace left behind?
Will there be no evidence or remembrance of your presence after you leave?

Well, I should have loved you better and didn't mean to be unkind
I realize now that I could have treated you with more love and kindness, but unfortunately I didn't.

You know that was the last thing on my mind
At the time, the possibility of losing you was the furthest thing from my mind.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Thomas R Paxton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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