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.
Shame
Dennis Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooooh girl head yeah
I don't want you
Change my mind girl
And I don't want you
Turn my back on you too, you see
All the I wanted
Bottom faces you're seeing
I just don't know their meanings, no !
You hurt my feelings,
Oh yes you do !
You hurt my feelings
In so many ways...
Your linked friends staring you
Just what you do
But after they started they must be [?your come ?]
Shame shame shame
Shame on you girl...
Shame on you girl ! I said
Shame shame shame
For what you've done yeah ohhh
Coz I don't want you
Change my mind girl, no ! You see
All the I wanted
To love and understand you yes !
Bottom faces you're seeing
I just don't know their meanings, and
You hurt my feelings,
Oh yes you do !
You hurt my feelings
In so many ways...
Your linked friends staring you
Just what you do
But after they started they must be [?your come ?]
Shame shame shame ooohhhhh
Shame on you girl !
Shame on you girl... I said
Shame shame shame
Shame on you girl...
Look what you've done ! yeah I said
Shame shame shame shame shame shame shame shame
Shame on you girl !
oooooooooooh yeah !
The lyrics of Dennis Brown's "Shame" speak about feeling hurt and betrayed by a lover. The singer makes it clear that he does not want his mind to be changed about his former lover and that he cannot turn his back on her. He insists that all he wanted was to love and understand her, but he is now left confused and hurt. The "bottom faces" he mentions are likely the disapproving stares of his lover's friends who he believes may have played a role in their breakup. The chorus repeats the phrase "shame on you" in a scathing rebuke of his former lover's actions, which have caused him pain.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of frustration, betrayal, and hurt as the singer tries to make sense of the situation he has found himself in. The song is likely relatable to anyone who has experienced similar feelings in a failed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooooh yeeeeah yes !
Expressing enthusiasm and agreement with what is being said or done.
Ooooh girl head yeah
Expressing admiration and appreciation for a woman.
I don't want you
Rejecting a romantic relationship with someone.
Change my mind girl
Trying to persuade someone to reconsider something they already have decided.
And I don't want you
Emphasizing the rejection of a romantic relationship with someone.
Turn my back on you too, you see
Refusing to acknowledge someone's presence or existence anymore.
All the I wanted
Expressing one's original intention and desire.
To love and understand you yes !
Desiring an emotional connection with someone and to comprehend them better.
Bottom faces you're seeing
Seeing different negative reactions from someone's acquaintances.
I just don't know their meanings, no !
Feeling puzzled and confused by those negative reactions.
You hurt my feelings,
Feeling emotionally wounded and upset by someone's actions.
Oh yes you do !
Emphasizing that the hurt is real and significant.
In so many ways...
Pointing out that there are various types of hurt coming from the same person.
Your linked friends staring you
Observing someone's associates staring at them for what they did.
Just what you do
Being aware of someone's negative behaviors.
But after they started they must be [?your come ?]
Uncertain about the reason behind those stares.
Shame shame shame
Expressing disapproval and disappointment for someone's actions.
Shame on you girl...
Blaming and criticizing a woman for what she did.
Shame shame shame !
Continuing to express disapproval for the same reason.
For what you've done yeah ohhh
Referring to the specific action that caused the shame.
Coz I don't want you
Repeating the rejection of a romantic relationship.
Change my mind girl, no ! You see
Reiterating that the decision has been made and hoping to make the other person understand.
Your linked friends staring you
Repeating the observation of negative reactions.
Just what you do
Repeating awareness of negative behaviors.
But after they started they must be [?your come ?]
Repeating the confusion as to why those stares are happening.
Shame shame shame ooohhhhh
Reiterating disapproval and disappointment.
Shame on you girl !
Reiterating the blame and criticism for what the woman did.
Look what you've done ! yeah I said
Pointing out the consequences of the woman's actions.
Shame shame shame shame shame shame shame shame
Continuing to express disapproval for the same reason repeatedly.
Shame on you girl !
Final reiteration of the blame and criticism for what the woman did.
oooooooooooh yeah !
Expressing exasperation, emphasizing the emotions in the song.
Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.