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.
Lately Girl
Dennis Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know why I think of you every night
Please girl what is it that I see in you
That suits me so, yeah
I'd really like to know
I pray and I am hoping well
I'll take you by your hand
I take you to the promised land far away
Don't you know...
Little girl
In the first verse of Dennis Brown's song "Lately Girl," he expresses his fascination with a particular girl whom he watches often. His interest in her is so intense that he thinks about her every night, but he doesn't understand why he is drawn to her. He directly asks her what he sees in her that suits him so well, imploring her to tell him what it is that he finds so intriguing about her. It's clear that he is searching for answers to his own feelings and attraction to her.
In the second verse, Dennis Brown sings that he prays and hopes that he'll be able to take her by the hand and lead her to the "promised land far away.” It's not clear what exactly this "promised land" represents, but it could be meant to symbolize a place of happiness and fulfillment with her. Overall, the song's lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply enamored and curious about a particular girl, and he hopes to pursue a relationship with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately girl I've been watching you all right
Recently, my attention has been focused on you, dear girl
I don't know why I think of you every night
It's a mystery to me why you keep coming to mind every night
Please girl what is it that I see in you
Dear girl, what qualities do you possess that draw me towards you?
That suits me so, yeah
What is it about you that makes me feel compatible with you?
I'd really like to know
I am genuinely curious to understand why I feel a connection to you
I pray and I am hoping well
I am praying and hoping for the best possible outcome
I'll take you by your hand
I will hold your hand and guide you
And lead you to the promised land far away
I will take you to a distant land of happiness and fulfillment
Don't you know...
Do you not understand?
Little girl
Affectionate term for the girl being addressed
Contributed by Scarlett Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.