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
The Blazing Fire
Derrick Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you say that jah walk a blazing fire
but my people won't watch the other
they were all sung by you
and now we act
you said it Jah walk a burning fire
you said it i am a blackhead shiny
but when i were with you
live and let others live and your days will be much longer
you said it jah walk a blazing fire
you said it i am a blackhead shiny
but still and know i'm your superior
time is longer than rope
and time no catchin up on you
you said it jah walk a blazing fire
The lyrics of Derrick Morgan's song "Blazing Fire" express a message of empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity. The song opens with an assertion that Jah, a Rastafarian name for God, walks a blazing fire, suggesting both divine power and the difficulties faced by those who follow Jah's path. The next line, "but my people won't watch the other" seems to suggest that others may not understand or appreciate the strength required to follow Jah. The repetition of the phrase "you said it" throughout the song emphasizes that these ideas are not just the singer's own, but are based on wisdom and guidance from Jah.
The next verses express a sense of confidence and self-respect: "you said it i am a blackhead shiny / but when i were with you / i was like / live and let others live and your days will be much longer". This seems to suggest that although others may try to bring the singer down and make them feel inferior, they can find strength and purpose in Jah's teachings. The final lines, "still and know i'm your superior / time is longer than rope / and time no catchin up on you" further reinforce this message of resilience and self-confidence, reminding the listener that no matter what challenges they face, they can withstand them and emerge stronger.
Line by Line Meaning
hey
Greetings or an expression used to grab someone's attention.
you say that jah walk a blazing fire
You proclaim that God walks on a burning fire.
but my people won't watch the other
However, my people won't accept this notion blindly.
they were all sung by you
These propositions were all proclaimed by you.
and now we act
Nonetheless, we don't comply to your words anymore.
you said it Jah walk a burning fire
You claimed that God walks on a fiery path.
you said it i am a blackhead shiny
You declared that you are a valuable person, but with a dark skin complexion.
but when i were with you
However, when I was around you,
i was like
I felt or behaved like
live and let others live and your days will be much longer
I believed that if we allow others to live without judgment, our days on earth will be increased in number.
you said it jah walk a blazing fire
You reiterated that God journeys on an intense blaze.
you said it i am a blackhead shiny
You emphasized once again that you are a valued individual, despite your darker pigmentation.
but still and know i'm your superior
But deep down, I realize that I am superior to you.
time is longer than rope
Our time on earth is extensive and never-ending.
and time no catchin up on you
Eventually, time will catch up to you and hold you accountable for your actions.
you said it jah walk a blazing fire
Once again, you insisted that God moves through a blazing inferno.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DERRICK SEYMOUR MORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IBumpg
Derrick Morgan and Prince Buster did a true thing for Jamaican music.
@vikkismith7497
There are some people in the world who don't like to see people prosper or succeeded in life.
@oldirtydasher
Derrick Morgan and Prince Buster best to ever do it
@msvioletta100
What an a amazing singer. Pure music.
@67Dinosaurus
WHAT a TUNE...!!!! One of those songs to uplift you,no matter what...
@shaburke384
Music that has no expiration date ❤❤
@bryanmulder273
Skankin baby! I literally listened to this song 30 times in a row ..can't help but moon stomp in my room. Great find
@tyroneosborne2091
Mr. Derrick Morgan, with that wick down beat . don Drummond of course .
@Ratdaddy752
That organ tone!!!
@merrickmorgan5316
I just love this song !!!