He was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in St. Andrew, Jamaica and grew up in Kingston, where he attended the Alpha Boys' School. After his mother took ill and died, his father moved him to St. Mary's, and then to St. Thomas, where he apprenticed as a tailor before returning to Kingston and taking a job as a welder, singing around his workplace while his co-workers encouraged him. In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle). Neither were impressed by his talents, and the young man moved on to Leslie Kong's Beverley record label, where he auditioned before Derrick Morgan, then the label's biggest star.
With Morgan's support, Dekker was signed but did not record until 1963 because Leslie Kong wanted to wait for the perfect song, which "Honour Your Father and Mother" was felt to be.
“Honour Your Father and Mother” was a hit and was followed by “Sinners Come Home” and “Labour for Learning,” as well as a name change (from Desmond Dacres to Desmond Dekker). His fourth hit, however, made him into one of the island's biggest stars. It was “King of Ska,” a rowdy and jubilant song on which Dekker was backed by The Cherrypies (also known as The Maytals). The song remains well known among ska fans. Dekker then recruited four brothers, Carl, Patrick, Clive and Barry Howard, who became his backing band, The Four Aces.
Dekker and the Howards recorded a number of hits including “Parents,” “Get Up Edina,” “This Woman,” and “Mount Zion.” Until 1967 Dekker's songs were polite and conveyed respectable, mainstream messages. In that year, however, he appeared on Derrick Morgan's “Tougher Than Tough,” which helped begin a trend of popular songs glamourizing the violent rude boy culture. Dekker's own songs did not go to the extremes of many other popular tunes though he did introduce lyrics which resonated with the rude boys starting with one of his best-known songs, “007 (Shanty Town)”. The song established Dekker as a rude boy icon and also became an established hero in the United Kingdom's mod scene. “007 (Shanty Town)” was a Top 15 hit in the UK, and he toured that country with a posse of mods following him.
Dekker continued with songs in the same vein such as “Rude Boy Train” and “Rudie Got Soul”, as well as continuing with his previous themes of religion and morality in songs like “It's a Shame”, “Wise Man”, “Hey Grandma”, “Unity”, “It Pays”, “Mother's Young Girl” and “Sabotage.” His “Pretty Africa” is a long-standing favourite among his fans and may be the earliest popular song promoting repatriation. Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town).
In 1968 Dekker's “Israelites” was released, appearing on both the U.S. and UK singles chart, and eventually topping the latter and peaking in the Top Ten of the former. He was the first Jamaican performer to enter U.S. markets with pure Jamaican music, though he never repeated the feat. Equally, the track became the first reggae song to top the UK chart. That same year saw the release of “Beautiful and Dangerous,” “Writing on the Wall,” “Music Like Dirt”, “Bongo Girl,” and “Shing a Ling.” In the same year, Dekker was mentioned as "Desmond" by his friend Paul McCartney in The Beatles' song "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", when it was released on 'The White Album'.
1969 saw the release of “It Mek,” which first saw only lukewarm success but was re-recorded and became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. He also released “Problems” and “Pickney Gal,” both of which were popular in Jamaica but saw only limited success elsewhere.
Mid career (the 1970s)
In the 1970s Dekker spent most of his time touring and moved to the UK, where he continued to record. Among his best known releases of this period was “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” written by Jimmy Cliff, which Dekker had not wanted to record but was convinced to do so by Leslie Kong. Dekker's recording of the song uses the same instrumental backing track as Cliff's original.
Kong, whose production had been an instrumental part of both Dekker's and Cliff's careers, died in 1971 and both his protegés lost direction for a period before returning to music.
Dekker continued recording, but with only limited success until he began working with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. His first hit with the pair was 1975's “Sing a Little Song” which climbed in to the British Top Ten. Dekker was unable to follow its success, however, and did not chart in the UK for some time (except for the Top Ten re-charting of “Israelites” in 1975). Dekker also found only a limited audience in Jamaica.
At the end of the 1970s Dekker signed with Stiff Records, a punk label linked with the Two-Tone movement, a fusion of punk and ska. He recorded an album called Black & Dekker which featured his previous hits backed by The Rumour, Graham Parker's backing band. His first single was “Israelites,” a Top Ten Belgian hit, and was followed by “Please Don't Bend,” Jimmy Cliff's “Many Rivers to Cross” and “Book of Rules.” His next album was Compass Point, produced by Robert Palmer. Though Compass Point did not sell well, Dekker was still a popular live performer and he toured with The Rumour.
Later life
In the early 1980s, as the Two Tone movement died out, he saw his fortunes dwindle and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. Only a single live album was released in the late 80s, but a new version of “Israelites” reawakened public interest in 1990, following its use in a Maxell advertisement. He re-recorded some old singles, and worked with The Specials for 1992's King of Kings', which used hits from Dekker's musical heroes, including Derrick Morgan.
He also collaborated on a remix version of his classic “Israelites” with reggae artist Apache Indian.
Death
Desmond Dekker died of a heart attack on 25 May 2006, at his home in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon , England, aged 64. He was preparing to headline a world music festival in Prague. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter.
007
Desmond Dekker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At ocean eleven
And now rude boys have a go wail
'Cause them out of jail
Rude boys cannot fail
'Cause them must get bail
Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail (a shanty town)Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail (a shanty town)
Dem rude boys get a probation (a shanty town)
And rude boy bomb up the town (a shanty town)
0-0-7, 0-0-7
At ocean eleven
And the rude boys a go wail
'Cause them out of jail
Rude boys cannot fail
'Cause them must get bail
Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail (a shanty town)
Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail (a shanty town)
Dem rude boys get a probation (a shanty town)
And rude boy bomb up the town (a shanty town)
Police get taller (a shanty town)
Soldier get longer (a shanty town)
Rude boy a weep and a wail (a shanty town)
Rude boy a weep and a wail (a shanty town)
The lyrics of "007" by Desmond Dekker & The Aces describe the rise of Jamaican rude boys, who were known for their rebellious behavior and involvement in criminal activities. The title refers to the fictional British spy James Bond, whom the rude boys admired and imitated in their dress and attitude. The opening lines "0-0-7, at Ocean 11" suggest that the rude boys are gathered at a club or casino, perhaps plotting their next heist or escape from the police.
The next lines "And now rude boys have go wail/Cause them out of jail" imply that some of the rude boys have been arrested and sent to prison, but are now free and causing trouble again. The chorus repeats the phrase "Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail/A Shanty Town", indicating that the rude boys are looting, shooting, and causing chaos in the impoverished neighborhoods of Kingston, where they live. The verses also mention the police and soldiers, who are trying to stop the rude boys but are sometimes powerless against their numbers and weapons.
Overall, "007" reflects the social and political turmoil of Jamaica in the early 1960s, when poverty, inequality, and gang violence were rampant. The song also highlights the cultural influence of James Bond, who became a symbol of coolness and rebellion for many young Jamaicans, especially those who felt marginalized by society.
Line by Line Meaning
0-0-7
A reference to the fictional British spy James Bond, indicating a cool and composed demeanor.
At Ocean 11
An allusion to the Ocean's Eleven movie, suggesting a scene of criminal activity and plotting.
And now rude boys have go wail
The rebellious youth, who consider themselves above the law, are now in trouble and will be punished.
?Cause them out of jail
The reason for the rude boys' distress is that they have been released from jail.
Rude boys cannot fail
Despite their current setback, the rude boys are confident in their abilities and will eventually succeed.
'Cause them must get bail
The rude boys believe they are entitled to bail and will do everything in their power to secure it.
Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail
The rude boys engage in criminal behavior, such as looting and shooting, and their actions result in negative consequences.
A Shanty Town
The setting for the rude boys' actions is a poor neighborhood or slum with limited resources and opportunities.
Dem rudely get a probation
The rude boys receive a lenient punishment, such as probation, despite their previous criminal offenses.
And rudely a bomb up the town
In a show of defiance, the rude boys commit a destructive act, such as setting off a bomb, to convey their anger and frustration.
Police get taller
The authorities, such as the police, become more vigilant and imposing in response to the rude boys' actions.
Soldier get longer
The military, represented by the soldiers, become more involved and extend their reach to maintain order and control in the Shanty Town.
Rude boy a weep and a wail
Despite their bravado, the rude boys are now experiencing fear and vulnerability, as they face the consequences of their actions.
Rude boy a weep and a wail
Repetition of the previous line emphasizes the emotional distress and despair felt by the rude boys.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND DEKKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ariesstar85
Jamaica produced some of the best music and artist ever
@Lerf8
Same with the USA but Jamaica don't get the credit they deserve.
@JamesBaker-kv6jv
@@Lerf8🤦🏻♂️ you mustn’t listen to reggae legends like Peter tosh or bob marley who got all the recognition in the world
@gersoneduardojimenezbarret9086
that's true baby
@eddieb270
@@JamesBaker-kv6jvtrue but not enough people really listen to their messages and just think they're catchy songs
@stevqtalent
still does, really. quite amazing the huge impact such a small nation can have.
@Lizoki
Was in Jamaica in 1966 for the Commonwealth Games. This song was being played literally everywhere - you couldn’t avoid it. Great times! Got home and the UK were just being introduced to it and the kids here went crazy for it too. A great Summer!! Great memories
@ervineokuboh7459
I went to Barbados in November 1966 with my mother and aunt to see my grandmother. I was 8 years old at the time. On the way to Barbados, we stopped off at Kingston and I can clearly remember hearing this tune booming out as our ship docked at Kingston harbour, as people were mashing up the floor dancing ! Brilliant tune and great memories !
@kenkovar2647
wow
@rebeccaw1674
Great story!