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
I Love You
Derrick Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way that I love you?
Do you want me
The way that I want you?
Some people say this
And some say that
I will treat you
Oh baby
Do you love me
The way that I love you?
Do you want me
The way that I want you?
People they talkin'
About my love
But they are making
A doggone fool of me, so baby
Do you love me
The way that I love you?
Do you want me
The way that I want you?
Some people say that
And some say this
I will treat you
The way that I should do
Oh baby
Do you love me
The way that I love you?
Do you want me
The way that I want you?
People they talkin'
About my love
But they are making
A doggone fool of me, so baby
Do you love me
The way that I love you?
Do you want me
The way that I want you?
Do you love me
The way that I love you?
Do you want me
The way that I want you?
The lyrics of Derrick Morgan's "Do You Love Me" express the vulnerability and uncertainty of love. The song centers around the singer's feelings for his partner and his desire to know if they feel the same way. The repetition of the chorus "Do you love me, the way that I love you? Do you want me, the way that I want you?" emphasizes the singer's longing for their partner's affection and reassurance.
The second verse addresses external forces that are questioning the authenticity of their love. Despite the opinions of others, the singer is willing to treat his partner with love and respect. The uncertainty and fear of rejection in the lyrics create an emotional depth that is relatable to anyone who has experienced the vulnerability of love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Do You Love Me" convey the universal themes of love and insecurity in a simple yet powerful way.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you love me
Asking the person if they have feelings of love towards the singer
The way that I love you?
Asking if the level of love the singer feels for them is reciprocated
Do you want me
Asking the person if they have a desire to be with the singer
The way that I want you?
Asking if the level of desire the artist feels for them is reciprocated
Some people say this
There are some people who say certain things about love
And some say that
While others say something different
I will treat you
The singer promises to treat them with respect and care
The way that I should do
In the way that is appropriate, fair, and just
Oh baby
An expression of endearment or affection
People they talkin'
Others are talking about the artist and their relationship
About my love
They are discussing the singer's feelings of love
But they are making
However, those people are causing harm or embarrassment
A doggone fool of me, so baby
The talking and speculation is making the singer feel foolish, so they turn to their romantic partner for comfort
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Kim Fowley, Paul Stanley, Robert A. Ezrin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@britneyspears9471
I love too 💯❤️x
@DONDIEGOREGGAE
Fantastic early Reggae. Hope you will finde some more cool tunes on my channel
@bullpunx
Top tune
@DONDIEGOREGGAE
My fav with this riddim, follwoed by Holy you Jack and Wet Dream
@zlatavachova5263
Ouuuuu 🙆♀️l love you 🤙
@DONDIEGOREGGAE
Next to Max Romeos version one of the best with that riddim 😍
@dawnempress5014
❤️❤️❤️🏆🏆🏆
@DONDIEGOREGGAE
@dennisomwancha734
When we talk of music, this is what we mean. Real music blessed music.
@DONDIEGOREGGAE
imho the best song with the wet dream riddim..next to Max Romeo :)