Born in Stewarton, in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica, Derrick Morgan entered in 1957 the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, a talent show held at the Palace Theatre in Kingston. He won with rousing impressions of Little Richard and, shortly after that, was recruited to perform around the island with the popular Jamaican comedy team Bim and Bam. In 1959 Morgan entered the recording studio for the first time. Duke Reid, the acclaimed sound system boss, was looking for talent to record for his Treasure Isle record label. Morgan cut two popular shuffle-boogie sides "Lover Boy", a.k.a. "S-Corner Rock", and "Oh My". Soon after, Morgan cut the bolero-tinged boogie "Fat Man", which also became a hit. He also found time to record for Coxsone Dodd.
In 1960 Morgan became the only artist ever to fill the places from one to seven on the Jamaican pop chart simultaneously. Among those hits were "Don't Call Me Daddy", "In My Heart", "Be Still", and "Meekly Wait and Murmur Not". But it was the following year that Morgan released the biggest hit of his career, the Leslie Kong production of "Don't You Know", later retitled "Housewives' Choice" by a local DJ. The song featured a bouncing ska riddim, along with a duet by Morgan and Millicent "Patsy" Todd.
"Housewives' Choice" began the legendary rivalry between Morgan and Prince Buster, who accused Morgan of stealing his ideas. Buster quickly released "Blackhead Chiney Man", chiding Morgan with the sarcastic put-down, "I did not know your parents were from Hong Kong" – a swipe at Kong. Morgan returned with the classic "Blazing Fire", in which he warns Buster to "Live and let others live, and your days will be much longer. You said it. Now it's the Blazing Fire". Buster shot back with, "Watch It Blackhead", which Morgan countered with "No Raise No Praise" and "Still Insist". Followers of the two artists often clashed, and eventually the government had to step in with a staged photo shoot depicting the rivals as friends.
Morgan had a major success in 1962 with "Forward March", a song celebrating Jamaican independence from Great Britain.
In the mid-1960s, when ska evolved into the cooler, more soulful rocksteady, Morgan continued to release top quality material, including the seminal rude boy classic, "Tougher Than Tough", "Do the Beng Beng", "Conquering Ruler", and a cover of Ben E. King's soul hit, "Seven Letters". Produced by Bunny Lee, "Seven Letters" is often cited as the first true reggae single. In 1969 Morgan cut the famous skinhead anthem "Moon Hop" (on Crab Records). However, failing eyesight then forced him to give up regular stage appearances. Morgan still performs occasionally at ska revival shows across the world – often backed by the guitarist Lynn Taitt. He remained popular in Jamaica and the UK into the early 1970s, and has lived primarily in the UK or the US since the late 1960s.
Morgan has written several songs that have won the Festival Song Contest for other artists, including "Jamaica Whoa" (1998, Neville Martin), "Fi Wi Island A Boom" (2000, Stanley Beckford), and "Progress" (2002, Devon Black).
In July 2002 in Toronto, Canada, a two-night "Legends of Ska" concert was held. Reuniting were The Skatalites, Lloyd Knibb, Rico Rodriguez, Lloyd Brevett, Lester Sterling, Johnny Moore and Lynn Taitt; along with Prince Buster, Alton Ellis, Owen Gray, Lord Creator, Justin Hinds, Derrick Harriott, Winston Samuels, Roy Wilson, Patsy Todd, Doreen Shaffer, Stranger Cole, Lord Tanamo and Derrick Morgan. In 2007 Morgan appeared on the bill at the annual Augustibuller music festival. His song "Tougher Than Tough" was featured in the video game Scarface: The World is Yours.
He worked with Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley, and Jimmy Cliff a.o..
Discography
Albums
Seven Letters (1969)
Derrick Morgan in London (1969)
Moon Hop (1970)
Feel So Good (1975) (featuring Hortense Ellis)
People's Decision (1977)
Still in Love (1977) (also featuring Hortense Ellis)
Sunset at Moonlight City
Love City
The Legend of Derrick Morgan (1980)
I Am the Ruler (1992) – Trojan Records
Tougher Than Tough (Rudie in Court) (1992)
The Conquering Ruler (and the Sensational Yebo) (1994) – Pork Pie Records
Ska Man Classics (1995)
Ska Man Classics (1997)
21 Hits Salute (1997)
Meets the High Notes Live (2003)
Moon Hop: Best of the Early Years 1960–69 (2003)
Derrick:Top the Top (2003)
Derrick Meets the High Notes (2004)
Shake A Leg (2014)
Singles
"The Hop" / "Tell It To Me", 7-inch: Island WI 006, UK, 1962
"Forward March" / "Please Don't Talk About Me", 7-inch: Island WI 011, UK, 1962
"See The Blind" / "Cherry Home", 7-inch: Island WI 013, UK, 1962
"I Am The Ruler" / "I Mean It" Pyramid 1968
"No Dice" / "I Mean It" Pyramid 1968
"Moon Hop" – 1970 – UK No. 49
Singles on Crab Records
"River to the Bank" / "Reggae Limbo", 7-inch (B side – Peter King)
"Seven Letters" / "Lonely Heartaches", 7-inch (B side – The Tartons)
"The First Taste of Love" / "Dance All Night", 7-inch
"Don't Play That Song" / "How Can I Forget You", 7-inch
"Mek It Tan Deh" / "Gimme Back", 7-inch
"Send Me Some Loving" / "Come What May", 7-inch
"Hard Time" / "Death Rides A Horse", 7-inch (B Side – Roy Richards)
"Man Pon Moon" / "What A Thing", 7-inch
"Moon Hop" / "Harris Wheel", 7-inch (B Side – Reggaeites)
"A Night at the Hop" / "Telephone", 7-inch
"Oh Baby" / The Rat", 7-inch (B Side – The Thunderbirds)
"Need To Belong" / "Let's Have Some Fun", 7-inch (with Jennifer Jones)
"I Wish I Was An Apple" / "The Story", 7-inch
"Take A Letter Maria" / "Just A Little Loving", 7-inch (with Owen Gray)
"Rocking Good Way" / "Wipe These Tears", 7-inch (with Jennifer Jones)
"My Dickie" / "Brixton Hop", 7-inch
"I Can't Stand It No Longer" / "Beyond The Wall", 7-inch
"Endlessly" / "Who's Making Love", 7-inch
"Hurt Me" / "Julia", 7-inch
"Searching So Long" / "Drums of Passion", 7-inch
Fatman
Derrick Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
shes a one man girl
if you don't have a girl then go get one of your own
all night long you come bumming around my home
all night long you come bumming around my home
if you don't have a girl then go get one of your own
fat man
she's a one man girl alone
if you don't have a girl then go get one of your own
hey fat man
At first glance, Derrick Morgan's song "Fatman" seems to be a playful, upbeat tune with a catchy melody. However, a closer look at the lyrics reveals a more serious message about respecting relationships and boundaries. The song tells the story of a man who is trying to defend his girlfriend from the unwanted advances of another man, the "fat man" of the title. He implores the fat man to leave his girl alone, stating that she is a "one man girl" who is not interested in his advances. The singer also tells the fat man that if he wants a girlfriend, he should go find one of his own and stop bothering other people.
What makes this song so interesting is the way it combines a serious message with a lively, fun sound. On the one hand, the lyrics are a plea for respect and dignity in relationships, and they convey the frustration and annoyance that can come from unwanted attention. On the other hand, the music itself is upbeat and energetic, with a driving rhythm and catchy chorus that make it hard to resist dancing or singing along. In this way, "Fatman" shows how music can be used to convey deeper messages while still remaining entertaining and enjoyable.
Line by Line Meaning
hey fat man leave my girl alone
Stop harassing my girl, overweight person.
shes a one man girl
She's a faithful and committed partner.
if you don't have a girl then go get one of your own
If you are single and want someone, find your own person instead of trying to steal mine.
all night long you come bumming around my home
You keep coming to my house uninvited and bothering me and my girl all night long.
all night long you come bumming around my home
You keep coming to my house uninvited and bothering me and my girl all night long.
if you don't have a girl then go get one of your own
If you are single and want someone, find your own person instead of trying to steal mine.
fat man
A nickname given to the overweight individual who is trying to steal the singer's girl.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEE PERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PeterMarshall-pr8yl
One of the all time great Jamaican stars. A great version of his ska hit ..🎉🎉🎉
@highmedic2351
There is a song released in 1968 by the Toots and the Maytals called "Do the Reggay", which many people say helped the term reggae form as a genre name. Fat Man came out the same year. Basically, the late 60s was truly the transition into reggae from ska/rocksteady, and then when Bob Marley officially switched his sound in 1973, the rest is history.
@DONDIEGOREGGAE
Yeah 68 was the year when rocksteady became reggae. And yes the Maytals song made the term „reggae“ famous. Some people say that Lee Perrys people funny boy was the first reggae song. Others say it was Derricks Hold you Jack.
@joshuaedwards4536
Dedicated to all dem "fat man" in blues, back in the day, dem try n tek way yu gyaal when u not looking, tusti man dem....🇯🇲🇯🇲👍🏾👍🏾💥💥💯
@DONDIEGOREGGAE
Saw Derrick Morgen a couple of times live and this song was always a dancefloor filler! Great tune!
@joshuaedwards4536
@DON DIEGO would've loved to have gone to see him, and all those original dons in the reggae scene, but nowadays too much covid 19 restrictions are in place, virtual concerts only.....🇯🇲🇯🇲👊🏾👊🏾🙏🏿🙏🏿💥💯😷😷
@ruthdixon7807
yet more proof of how much early reggae drew from new orleans R&B.
@sammcewan1219
My mates song long time ago R.I.P. Jake
@jockmanning9462
Always loved this✌️
@DONDIEGOREGGAE
Same here :)