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
Housewive's Choice
Derrick Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause it gives me sweet inspiration
And to tell you, I never felt this way before
I know there is someway today
Love your brothers
Love your sisters
There were times I thought that I was thinking
But I always want to be in that position where I can see more clearly
Now I must admit that you've got me thinking
Love your brothers
Love your sisters
And to tell you I must admit, you've got me thinking
There were times I thought that I was thinking
But I always want to be in that position where I can see more clearly
Now I must admit that you've got me thinking
Love your brothers
Love your sisters
The lyrics of Derrick Morgan's song "Housewives Choice" are about the power of a good conversation in inspiring and enlightening us. The singer expresses that he hasn't felt this way before, showing that he is deeply affected. He also urges the listener to love their brothers and sisters, indicating a message of unity and connectedness.
The repetition of the phrase "love your brothers, love your sisters" suggests that the song is meant to be a motivational anthem, encouraging people to embrace love and compassion towards others. The singer acknowledges that at times, he thought he was thinking, but after a good conversation, he feels like his thinking has been elevated to a higher level.
The message of unity and love is further reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "you've got me thinking". The singer is acknowledging that the person he's talking to has expanded his understanding and helped him to see things from a new perspective.
Overall, "Housewives Choice" is a song about the power of conversation to broaden our thinking and deepen our relationships with others. It reminds us to love and care for one another, and to seek out meaningful conversations that can help us grow and learn.
Line by Line Meaning
All I need from you is a good conversation, conversation
Derrick Morgan values meaningful conversations as it inspires him to be a better person and he seeks this kind of communication from the person he is speaking to.
'Cause it gives me sweet inspiration
He finds that good conversations are a source of inspiration that fill him with positive feelings.
And to tell you, I never felt this way before
Derrick Morgan confesses that the way he feels right now is unique and he hasn't experienced this kind of emotion in the past.
I know there is someway today
He is optimistic that there is a way to achieve his goals today, and he is hopeful that it will happen.
Love your brothers
He expresses the importance of showing love to your siblings or those who you consider similar to siblings.
Love your sisters
He emphasizes that it is crucial to show love to females, particularly sisters or those who you perceive as sisters.
And to tell you I must admit you've got me thinking
Derrick Morgan acknowledges that the person he is talking to has given him something to ponder over.
There were times I thought that I was thinking
He admits that he thought he was already reflecting on things, but with this conversation, he realizes there's more to consider.
But I always want to be in that position where I can see more clearly
He wants to have a clearer perspective on things, and he is open to receiving guidance from others.
Now I must admit that you've got me thinking
He acknowledges that the conversation has caught his interest, and he is now processing the thoughts that they brought up.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DERRICK SEYMOUR MORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ionse
+MrAsduf2 yeah, yeah yeah, eheh
yeah yeah, heh
yeah yeah, baby, wohooo
you don’t know how much i love you
or else darling, you wouldn’t have made me cry
hush darling, you should know i love you
’cause my heart dear, is trembling like a leaf
you don’t know how much i love you
or else darling, you wouldn’t have made me cry
hush darling, you should know i love you
’cause my heart dear, is trembling like a leaf
yeah, yeah yeah, eheh
yeah yeah, heh
yeah yeah, baby, wohooo
yeah, yeah yeah, eheh
yeah yeah, yeah
yeah yeah, baby
@maggienicols-anothervoice671
I remember dancing to this and other wonderful tunes down the Limbo in Wardour Mews in the ‘sixties’ Great to be reminded. Thank you.
@tijuanabatchelorakatanya363
RIP Patsy is my Late Mother we lost her 07/28/2021 I in Port Charlotte Florida at the age of 74 yrs old we Love you and Miss you Soo much Mommy😭😭😭
Beth
Tanya
Tommy
Her children
@lindsayorr7111
Sorry for the loss of your Mother 🤗 Hopefully it helps a little to know her music and Ska will live on forever ❤
@britinnit2115
RIP aunt Pat!
@alexandergardiner1877
My bride and I strode out of our wedding ceremony arm in arm to this tune.
@ChickenNugNugz2
Sounds like you found yourself an absolute keeper there. Congratulations and best wishes for the both of you
@70tezskin
The most incredible voice ever recorded.
Elvis presley. The man who would become a king .
The biggest star now in the sky
He left his voice here forever more .
@damontomlinson
Gotta be one of the all time greatest ska tunes!
@clivnew
used to hear this at the all nighter at the whiskey in Birmingham.in 1965 along with satisfaction by Otis reading and night train by James brown. I was just 15 at the time and with a big family it was easy to fox my parents
@worldcoup
Tell you what. I might be getting on a bit. But I'm glad I'm of an age to appreciate this sound. What an underrated classic tune from a woefully neglected genre.