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
SIMMER DOWN
Derrick Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Simmer down) Soon you'll get dropped, so
(Simmer down) Man, you hear what I say
(Simmer down) So why won't you, why won't you why won't you simmer down
(Simmer down)
Long time people they used to say
*What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly, so
(Simmer down) Oh control your temper
(Simmer down) Or the battle will be hotter
(Simmer down) Man, you hear what I say
(Simmer down) Oh that I'm a-leaving you today
(Simmer down) Oh, you hear what I say
(Simmer down) Hey that I'm leavin' you today
(Simmer down) Man, you hear what I say
(Simmer down)
+Chicken (get) merry, hawk be near
And when him be near, you must beware, so
(Simmer down) Oh, control your temper
(Simmer down) Or the battle will be hotter
(Simmer down) And you won't get no supper
(Simmer down) And you know you bound to suffer
(Simmer down) Simmer, simmer, simmer right down
(Simmer down) Like you never did before
(Simmer down) Oh, oh, oh
(Simmer down) Man, you hear what I say
(Simmer down) You're looking too hot, so
(Simmer down) And you know soon you will get dropped, so
(Simmer down) I want to simmer, simmer down
(Simmer down) Simmer down, simmer down
(Simmer down) Simmer, simmer down
(Simmer down) Oh, simmer, simmer down
(Simmer down)
The song "Simmer Down" by Derrick Morgan is a classic ska hit that warns against temper and encourages control of one's emotions. The chorus, which repeats the words "simmer down" over and over again, serves as a constant reminder to the subject of the song that they need to calm down before they get into trouble. The verses themselves underscore the point, with references to old sayings warning against letting one's emotions get the better of them.
The opening lines of "Simmer Down" are a clear warning that the subject of the song is being watched and judged. They're told they're "looking too hot" and will soon "get dropped," implying that they'll face some sort of punishment for their behavior if they don't make a change. The rest of the song reinforces this idea. Old sayings like "what sweet nanny goat a go run him belly" are brought up, warning the subject that they'll suffer consequences if they don't control themselves. Throughout the song, the message is clear: simmer down before you get into serious trouble.
Line by Line Meaning
Simmer down
Calm yourself and behave
You're looking too hot, so
You're acting too aggressively and need to cool off
Soon you'll get dropped, so
If you keep acting out of control, you'll face negative consequences
Man, you hear what I say
Listen to my advice
So why won't you, why won't you why won't you simmer down
Why won't you calm down and listen?
Long time people they used to say
People have been saying for a long time
What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly, so
Excess pleasure can lead to trouble
Oh control your temper
Manage your anger
Or the battle will be hotter
If you escalate the situation, it will only get worse
Oh that I'm a-leaving you today
If you don't change your behavior, I'll leave you
Hey that I'm leavin' you today
I'm serious about leaving if things don't improve
Chicken (get) merry, hawk be near
When you're feeling too confident, danger may be near
And when him be near, you must beware, so
When danger is nearby, you must be cautious
And you won't get no supper
If you don't calm down, you won't get any food
And you know you bound to suffer
Your actions will lead to negative consequences
Simmer, simmer, simmer right down
Calm down right away
Like you never did before
Completely calm yourself, unlike any time before
Oh, oh, oh
Expression of urgency
Simmer down, simmer down
Calm down, relax
Simmer, simmer down
Continue calming down
Oh, simmer, simmer down
Urged to calm down
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind